Aberdeen 1-0 Hearts: Jambos Stunned at Pittodrie
Topi Keskinen (39’) Aberdeen had a stronger start to the game with a shot on target for Dylan Lobban in 2 minutes. Hearts were quick to fight back with a Kyziridis free kick floated over top landing with StuartFindlay but the shot was just wide in the end and would have potentially been pulled back for offside. McInnes’ side have not won at Pittodrie since May 2016 which ended as a 1-0 win for the Jambos. It wasn’t meant to be for the travelling side as The Dons opened the scoring after 39 minutes Topi Keskinen with a shot from outside the box hit into the bottom right corner of the goal. Into the second half Hearts looked to be the stronger side with some more pressing chances Tomas Magnusson fired a header straight at the goalkeeper. They had back to back chances first from Landry Kabore fired wide right side of the goal and Kyziridis just a minute later but again straight across the goal. Final chance of the game for the Jamtarts and it was a cross from Christian Borchgrevink onto James Wilson but was headed wide of goal. A convincing performance for Aberdeen, and a lot of improvements in recent matches. A first loss of the season for Hearts while missing some of the key players from the squad. Jimmy Thelin’s side take on FC Noah on Thursday night in the Europa Conference league. McInnes’ next match is away to Motherwell next Saturday. Aberdeen: Mitov (8), Lobban (7), Devlin (7), Knoester (8), Milne (8), Jensen (7), Aouchiche (7), Polvara(7), Armstrong(8), Keskinen(9), Lazetic (7)Subs: Molloy (6), Clarkson (7), Milanovic (7), Shinnie (6), Nisbet (6) Hearts:Schwolow (6), Kent (6), Braga (6), Kabore (5), Devlin (7), Steinwender (5), Milne (6), Findlay (6), Magnusson (6), McEntee (6), Kyziridis (6) Subs: Spittal (5), McCart (6), Borchgrenvick (6), Forrest (5), Wilson (5),
McGregor’s late strike the difference in Paisley.
It was the hosts who started off the more threatening. And on 7 minutes they should have been ahead. Declan John did brilliantly and played a ball across goal towards Conor McMenamin, who failed to convert from close range, on the stretch. In the 15th minute, Sebastian Tounekti cut inside onto his right foot and got a shot off, but his curling effort went over the bar. In the 28th minute, Declan John’s corner was cleared by Celtic, but only as far as Conor McMenamin, who found space on the edge of Celtic’s box, but his brilliant left-footed effort came crashing off the post. In the 43rd minute, St Mirren managed to keep the ball alive following a long throw, the ball fell to Miguel Freckleton, who blazed his shot over the crossbar with Kasper Schmeichel on the deck. HT: St Mirren 0-0 Celtic After 50 minutes, Daizen Maeda looked to be through on goal, but Alexandros Gogic made an incredible sliding challenge to deny the Japanese forward. A bright start to second period from the Champions. After 64 minutes, Keanu Baccus found space outside the box, but his shot was comfortably saved by Kasper Schmeichel. In the 69th minute, St Mirren put the ball in the back of the net. Celtic defender Liam Scales was stretching for it and put the ball in the back of his own net, however, St Mirren’s number 10 Conor McMenamin was in an offside position and deemed to be interfering with play, therefore the goal was disallowed. With just under a quarter of an hour remaining of normal time, Celtic were awarded a free kick right on the edge of the St Mirren box, but Arne Engels’ effort came crashing off the wall. On 79 minutes, Liam Scales played a brilliant ball into the box, Daizen Maeda flicked it on towards the back post, but no Celtic player was there to convert. In the 83rd minute, Declan John took a shot from a tight angle, with Jonah Ayunga free at the back post, and his shot was easily saved by the Danish keeper. Deep into stoppage time, Celtic found the breakthrough. Callum McGregor worked some space on the edge of the box, and his sensational strike found the top corner. A vital strike from the Celtic skipper, which puts the pressure on Hearts going into their clash against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
