Celtic remain firmly at the top of the Scottish Premiership, closely followed by Aberdeen, as the league begins to take shape.
Before the season kicked off, Kris Boyd was certain that Rangers would be the ones challenging Celtic for the title.
However, the standings tell a different story, with the champions leading on 22 points from eight matches, edging Aberdeen on goal difference and six points clear of Rangers.
Saturday’s 2-2 draw between Celtic and Aberdeen at Parkhead saw both sides end their perfect starts to the season in a thrilling encounter. It was a game full of excitement and drama, proving that the Dons under Jimmy Thelin are ready to compete at the highest level.
Meanwhile, before Rangers’ defeat to Kilmarnock on Sunday, Boyd dismissed any notion that Aberdeen could become a real force in the title race.
Brendan Rodgers, however, has praised Aberdeen, acknowledging the respect they deserve—something Boyd might do well to take on board.
Kris Boyd Doubts Aberdeen’s Chances:
Boyd, the former Scotland striker, was adamant that Aberdeen wouldn’t be able to split Celtic and Rangers in the table, let alone compete for the title.
However, he did concede one point: Celtic could have easily been 4-0 up by half-time on Saturday, and if they had been, Aberdeen would have had no grounds to complain.
But Thelin’s side responded brilliantly after the break, putting pressure on Celtic at Parkhead in a way no other team has managed this season.
Boyd remained unconvinced that Aberdeen could disrupt the dominance of the Glasgow giants, as he told Sky Sports Football on 20 October:
“I will answer them, no to all of them,” Boyd said when asked if Aberdeen could split Celtic and Rangers or challenge for the title. “The fixtures have been kind to them. You still have to win the games, I totally get that.”
When Chris Sutton pressed him on how exactly the fixtures had been favourable to Aberdeen, Boyd responded:
“You are playing Kilmarnock after Europe, St Mirren after Europe, and Hearts after Europe. You still have to win the games, and they have done that, so take nothing away from them. But that’s been the fixtures.
“They went to Dundee and won, but Dundee were probably the better team. Hearts were probably the better team. It doesn’t matter—you still win the game. I think they deserve a lot of credit for coming back at Celtic Park because it would have been easy, and we’ve seen it before, for teams to capitulate. Aberdeen have capitulated there in the past too.”
Boyd: Celtic Should Have Put Aberdeen Away Early
Reflecting on Saturday’s draw, Boyd insisted that the game could have taken a very different turn.
“If it had finished 3-0 or 4-0 to Celtic after the first-half performance, I don’t think we’d be having the same conversation,” he said.
“But I will say, Aberdeen are carrying a lot of luck as well.”
With Rangers now closer to fifth-placed Motherwell than they are to the top two, Boyd’s confidence in his old club’s prospects is likely taking a hit.
As the season progresses, the pressure is mounting on Rangers, while Aberdeen continue to prove they belong among the Premiership’s elite.