Private Blog Network – Celtic delivered a strong message ahead of the Scottish Cup final with a commanding 5-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Despite the comfortable win, manager Brendan Rodgers quickly dismissed the result’s importance for the upcoming final, emphasizing that it was a different game altogether. The match, which featured a mix of fringe players and regular starters, allowed Rodgers to assess his squad ahead of the crucial cup final on May 24.
The match kicked off slowly with both teams making several changes to their starting lineup. However, Celtic soon found their rhythm and took control. Maik Nawrocki opened the scoring for Celtic with a powerful header from a well-taken corner by Luke McCowan. Aberdeen responded with a clever header from Kevin Nisbet, but Celtic quickly regained the lead through Hyun-Jun Yang’s close-range finish. The champions further extended their advantage after halftime, with goals from McCowan, Johnny Kenny, and Adam Idah. Aberdeen’s defensive frailties were exposed as they conceded several easy goals, leading to a late red card for Alfie Dorrington after a second yellow.
No Relevance to Cup Final, Says Rodgers
While Celtic’s victory was emphatic, Brendan Rodgers stressed that it would have “no relevance” for the cup final. The team’s focus is already set on securing the domestic treble, and Rodgers made it clear that the upcoming final against Aberdeen would be a completely different challenge. Despite this, Rodgers acknowledged the impressive quality and intensity his side displayed, especially with several players returning to action after spells on the bench.
“Tonight has no relevance to the cup final, it’s a different occasion and a different game,” Rodgers said. He highlighted the importance of the players’ fitness and mental preparation heading into the cup final, as Celtic look to clinch another major trophy.
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Aberdeen’s Defensive Struggles
Celtic’s exploited Aberdeen’s defensive weaknesses throughout the match. The Dons gave Celtic too much space, especially in the defensive third. Nawrocki easily beat his marker, Topi Keskinen, to score with a header, while Forrest helped set up the second goal, highlighting Aberdeen’s defensive issues. McCowan then took full advantage of the space he had, firing the ball into the top corner for the third goal.
Aberdeen’s defense collapsed further in the second half, with Celtic easily carving through their lines. The red card to Dorrington compounded Aberdeen’s misery and allowed Celtic to seal their fifth goal in stoppage time. Despite this heavy defeat, Aberdeen will finish in fourth place and secure European football next season, though they will need to improve significantly before the cup final.
Celtic’s Fringe Players Shine
Brendan Rodgers was able to rest several key players while giving fringe players valuable minutes in the match. The performance of the less regular players was a key positive from the game, as they stepped up and delivered a dominant win. Nawrocki, McCowan, Yang, and Kenny all made significant contributions to the victory.
McCowan’s performance was particularly impressive, as he scored once and assisted twice. Yang also showed his attacking threat, with Forrest creating chances down the wing. Kenny’s header for Celtic’s fourth goal was a testament to his sharp finishing ability, while Idah’s late tap-in rounded off a comprehensive win for the visitors.
Rodgers will now have some difficult decisions to make ahead of the cup final, as these performances from the fringe players have provided him with a selection dilemma.
Focus Now Shifts to Cup Final
The win over Aberdeen gave Celtic a confidence boost, but the team quickly shifted focus to the upcoming Scottish Cup final. Rodgers began preparing his squad for the biggest domestic match of the season, aiming to secure the treble. He praised the team’s performance but reminded the players that the cup final would bring a completely different challenge.
“We have to focus on the final,” Rodgers said. “We are looking to finish the season strong, and that means winning the cup. The players know what’s at stake, and we are fully focused on what’s ahead.” With Celtic now back at full strength, they will aim to cap off another successful season with victory at Hampden Park.
Wendy Corner