Aberdeen mounted a remarkable comeback from two goals down to secure a draw, keeping themselves level with Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership as Jimmy Thelin’s impressive managerial run continues.
The build-up to this encounter was brimming with anticipation, with both teams boasting perfect domestic records and locked together at the top of the table. The clash was billed as the biggest game of the season so far—and it certainly lived up to its billing.
Celtic initially appeared to be cruising to victory. Arne Engels had already struck the crossbar before making a decisive contribution from deep within his own half, setting up the opener.
Picking out Kyogo Furuhashi down the right channel, Engels’ pass allowed Reo Hatate to sprint onto the Japanese striker’s cutback and fire home with aplomb.
The Bhoys doubled their advantage just minutes later, capitalising on a defensive lapse. Gavin Molloy’s failed clearance saw the ball drop kindly for Kyogo, who slammed it into the back of the net to put Celtic firmly in command.
At that point, Aberdeen seemed on the verge of collapse. Yet, Thelin’s side refused to buckle.
The Swedish manager’s tactical adjustments during the interval proved decisive, with substitutes Duk and Ester Sokler making an immediate impact.
Sokler raced past Liam Scales to slot in a composed finish, dragging Aberdeen back into the contest.
The visitors maintained their momentum and soon found an equaliser. Captain Graeme Shinnie fired from the edge of the area, and his shot took a wicked deflection, wrong-footing Kasper Schmeichel and nestling in the net.
Aberdeen almost pulled off a stunning victory late on, but VAR intervened to rule out a potential winner. Slobodan Rubezic’s header deflected off Duk’s hand and into the net, leading to celebrations that were swiftly cut short.
In the dying embers of stoppage time, Celtic came agonisingly close to snatching the three points. A frenetic sequence saw goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov and Duk combine to make vital goal-line clearances, denying Celtic in what was a heart-stopping finale.
The aftermath of the 2-2 draw has been dominated by controversy surrounding a last-gasp handball incident. In the 102nd minute, Alistair Johnston unleashed a fierce volley, which struck Duk as the game’s final act.
Celtic players surrounded referee Nick Walsh, adamant that Duk had handled the ball and demanding a penalty. However, VAR sided with the on-field decision, bringing the match to a close without awarding a spot-kick.
Since the final whistle, video evidence has failed to confirm any handball. Replays suggest the ball made contact with Duk’s thigh, though subtle arm movement has fuelled frustration among Celtic supporters.
The Scottish Key Match Incident Review Panel has now backed Walsh’s original call. “The on-field decision was unanimously supported,” the panel stated. “The referee was well-positioned to assess the situation, and it was clear the Aberdeen player did not deliberately use his arm to block the shot.”
This ruling ensures that Walsh’s decision stands, though the incident continues to provoke debate among fans.
The transparency surrounding such decisions marks another positive step under the leadership of Willie Collum, the new head of referees.
“We’re getting these reports published weekly,” an official noted, “instead of waiting for incidents to accumulate over time.”
For now, Aberdeen’s tenacity and Celtic’s missed chance leave both sides level at the top, with the title race heating up early in the campaign.