Recap
Aberdeen took a deserved point at Pittodrie with a late penalty from Lewis Ferguson, his second of the game – the character from our players seeing out the match to take a point against Celtic in a three-all thriller.
It was a definite foul on Sam Cosgrove in the build up to Leigh Grrifths goal which put Celtic ahead 3-2.
And there was a clear push on Ryan Edmondson from Shane Duffy which forced him off just before the hour mark.
The Dons kept on battling after going behind but Connor McLennan was brought down the box in injury time for Lewis Ferguson to fire in the equaliser in the 92nd minute.
Ahead of the match kicking-off, there was a minutes silence in tribute to former Dons manager, Ebbe Skovdahl who sadly passed away earlier in the week and I’m sure the Red Army will pay their respects too once we get back to Pittodrie. The flags at Pittodrie flew at half-mast in respect to Ebbe.
There was one change to the Aberdeen side that beat Hamilton 4-2 on Tuesday. Ross McCrorie came in to the starting line-up at the expense of Scott Wright who dropped to the bench.
Both Jonny Hayes and Ryan Edmondson made it to the starting eleven after suffering knocks in the Hamilton game.
Celtic were first to threaten the Aberdeen goal in the 8th minute when Olivier Ntcham fired a 25 yard drive that clipped the far post of Joe Lewis’ goal.
Callum McGregor was booked in the 11th minute after catching Ryan Hedges on the ankle with a late challenge.
Dylan McGeouch went off injured with a groin problem in the 25th minute and was replaced by Connor McLennan.
Just shortly after Mohamed Elyounoussi picked up a Ryan Christie corner unmarked, but his header was cleared.
The conditions in the first half weren’t great for either side, with both sides cancelling each otthe rout.
But it was Aberdeen that went ahead in the 42nd minute. Marley Watkins delivered a through ball into the box. Lewis Ferguson ran to pick it up but was taken down in the box by Ntcham.
Lewis fired home from the spot-kick for his eighth goal of the season.
Not long after the second half started it was Celtic who equalised through a Calum McGregor goal in the 52nd minute – firing his low drive beyond Lewis.
Ryan Edmondson went off injuted after a rough challenge from Shane Duffy in the 57th minute, and Sam Cosgrove returned for his first match of the season.
His return was noticed. He was in the thick of the action within minutes, unleashing a 12-yard shot at Scott Bain. Ryan Hedges followed up the shot and bundled the ball home with his knee from three yards to put the Dons ahead, 2-1.
Celtic sub Leigh Griffiths equalised for Celtic in the 75th minute, but Aberdeen should have been awarded a free-kick for a foul on Cosgrove in the build up to the Celtic goal.
And just two minutes later, Celtic went ahead after Tommie Hoban fouled Elyounoussi in the box as he tried to win the ball.
Willie Collum pointed to the penalty spot and Ryan Christie stepped up to put Celtic ahead.
A blow for the Dons, but the action wasn’t over after we grabbed a stoppage time equaliser after Connor McLennan was brough down in the box by Calum McGregor, at the same time as Cosgrove fired against the bar. Willie Collum brought play back fro the foul and awarded the penalty.
Lewis Ferguson stepped up and slotted home his second penalty of the game and his third goal of the week to make it 3-3.
The teams do it all over against at Hampden Park next Sunday in the Scottish Cup Semi-Final – and Celtic are definitely there for the taking.
Derek McInnes commented on the match: “I’m just glad we got something out of it because it was no more than we deserved. We said at half-time we know Celtic won’t lie down. I’m disappointed with a couple of the goals.
“The penalty decisions, the referee got them all right. Big decisions he got right. The players never gave it up and they deserve wholeheartedly their point.”
