Celtic go from ‘dominant’ to ‘passive’ in Aberdeen draw

Brendan Rodgers says Celtic have “dropped points in too many games” after they went from “dominant” to “passive” in their Scottish Premiership draw at managerless Aberdeen.

That fortuitous equaliser cancelled out Bojan Miovski’s stunning opener, scored with Aberdeen’s first shot after an opening half during which Celtic ought to have killed the game.

“It’s disappointing, it’s two points dropped,” Rodgers told BBC Scotland.

“We dominated the first half, we created opportunities and should have been goals in front. We were passive against the ball second half. We’ve dropped points in too many games but we’ve got to keep fighting and working.”

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Early signs were ominous for the hosts as poor defending allowed Luis Palma, who was just offside, to eventually turn in a rebound before VAR intervened.

The Honduras winger then clipped the crossbar with a back-post strike, as did Paulo Bernardo with a lofted effort over Roos, who somehow went into the break without conceding.

But within five minutes of the second period, Miovski’s 19th goal of the season, curled beautifully past Joe Hart into the far corner, gave the Pittodrie side a shock lead.

The introductions of Kuhn and debutant Idah, coupled with a change of shape, provided Celtic with more attacking verve as Matt O’Riley struck the outside of the near post just after the equaliser.

Aberdeen did not retreat, though, and could have claimed a seismic victory as Graeme Shinnie’s glorious close-range chance was thwarted by Hart before Miovski saw an offside flag deny him a late winner.

The draw means the hosts remain eighth, while Celtic move six points clear at the top – but a win for Rangers, who have two games in hand, against bottom side Livingston later on Saturday will reduce the gap to three.

Player of the match – Bojan Miovski

Celtic wasteful again amid fan discontent – analysis

This result will do little to cheer up a demanding Celtic support, who displayed their displeasure at the club’s January transfer window business pre-match.

It is now four Premiership draws this term for the league leaders and each one has been plagued by profligacy.

But the positive has to be the influence of new attacking duo Kuhn and Idah, who both injected life into a Celtic attack that had fallen off the pace in the second period.

As for Aberdeen, the first period had the makings of a sobering afternoon for the hosts, who became the first Premiership team this season to go a whole half without touching the ball in the opposition box.

But their second-half transformation proves there is no need for this side to be so passive in games, even against Celtic.

What they said

Aberdeen interim manager Peter Leven: “It’s a good point. First half we needed a bit more belief on the ball. I told them to relax at half-time, you saw that in the second half, we had a good few chances.

“A point overall was deserved. The fans were great today, they really got behind us. The boys were great, it was an even game. Don’t know about Ibrox.”

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “The players showed great fight to come back. [Kuhn] came on and got his goal, that’ll be good for his confidence.

“We just couldn’t find that finishing touch to get the winner. All we can concentrate on is ourselves. We can only focus on our own game.”

What’s next?

Both sides are in midweek action as Aberdeen go to Rangers on Tuesday (20:00 GMT) before Celtic travel to Hibernian the following day (20:00).