For Celtic, the result was rather better than the performance at Inverness; the bizarre third goal put an unjustified gloss on a difficult match which left Ronny Deila plenty to ponder - even before he gets around to banishing Anthony Stokes from Celtic Park.
The biggest problem was in midfield; the visitors failed to take control until the final quarter of the game, and allowed ICT to get a foothold when they should have been blown away by Callum McGregor's opener. Admittedly, Ross Draper was (after a slow start) titanic in the middle of the park, and won the physical battle on his own. But for the umpteenth time Stefan Johansen failed to shine in a deeper role, both in possession and in his defensive duties. Nir Bitton's increasing frustration was obvious.
The biggest positive for Celtic, however, was defensive. This was only Jozo Simunovic's fourth league start but the Croat looked impressive. His use of the ball was superb - Van Dijk-esque, dare I say? - and his calmness even in wet conditions and with Miles Storey snapping at his heels seemed to relax Dedryck Boyata too. The Bhoys may have found themselves another good 'un here. LS
Dons do enough in game of two halves
Saturday was 'Retro Day' for this weekend's game at Pittodrie, and the Dons (eventually) decided to produce a throwback performance more reminiscent of their start to the season with what was easily their best 45 minutes since the end of their run of eight wins in a row.
In a poor first half, County claimed the opening goal following some calamitous attempts to win the ball from a couple of Dons players. After Staggies skipper Andrew Davies headed a cross clear from his own box, Willo Flood failed to control the dropping ball at the first attempt and then allowed the ball to bounce a second time as Mark Reynolds advanced forward. Reynolds then allowed the ball to bounce a third time before eventually deciding to hit it off the onrushing Liam Boyce, who drove forward with it some 40 yards before drawing in the remaining central defender and playing in Craig Curran to squeeze a low finish past Danny Ward at the near post.
The Aberdeen players went in at half time with the boos of the home supporters ringing in their lugs, and with County looking the better of a bad lot it looked doubtful that the Dons would arrest their recent run or rank results. But with the second half only just begun, the match turned on its head with a couple of Aberdeen goals in less than two minutes. First, Niall McGinn beautifully turned Marcus Fraser and, with the right back still stumbling, tore down the flank to cut the ball across the face of goal - Jonny Hayes tumbled beyond the cross at the near post, but Adam Rooney made no mistake from just six yards out. McGinn then set up Hayes who, for the second game in succession, rattled the woodwork with an errant cross; at Hamilton, it crashed off the bar and away to safety, but this time it fortuitously dropped in off the back post.
With the Dons ahead, the match opened up and both sides created further goal scoring chances. Hayes almost turned provider for McGinn - his pass was actually intended for Rooney, but McGinn ran through to nick it off his bootlaces and force a save from Gary Woods. At the other end, County almost equalised but Danny Ward saved at point blank range from Liam Boyce's header - an instinctive stop all the more impressive as it looked like Jackson Irvine was going to get his pony-tailed bonce on it first, giving the keeper a fraction of a second to react. McGinn finally settled the match after a neat flick by Rooney set McLean free to slip the ball into the box for Niall's toepoker to finish the scoring.
There could have been yet more goals still - Graeme Shinnie still had time to leave Franks on his behind and find Rooney in the box, only for a tame effort to fall harmlessly into the hands of Gary Woods, while at the other end a late corner from Martin Woods led to an Irvine strike that was headed off the goal-line by Dons substitute Craig Storie. In the end, though, it remained 3-1.
The final scoreline perhaps flattered Aberdeen over the piece, but they will likely take far more satisfaction from having overcome adversity for the first time in a wee while - returning to second in the league was also an added bonus. County will be disappointed in losing this game from a winning position, but they remain in the top half of the table and are good enough to stay there. MI
Hearts’ title challenge took a dent on Saturday as they dropped two points for the second successive week. But rather that bemoan the recent stutter, Hearts fans should rejoice in the fact that they can legitimately be considered title challengers at all. At least as much as any team based outside the east end of Glasgow can, anyway.
The Jambos took to the Fir Park pitch sporting a new special edition third kit that carried the name of 8,000 plus supporters, without whose contributions there is a good chance there would be no Heart of Midlothian. Even after a storming to the Championship title last season, the lost their captain and defensive anchor during the summer and a season of consolidation looked likely, a solid midtable
finish being considered a success. To be second going into this match, and talking of maintaining a challenge to Celtic is surely more than fans could have hoped for just two seasons ago.
Credit has to be given both teams for providing entertaining fare in pretty disgusting conditions. No credit can be given to Neil Alexander who despite being 6’ tall, looked about 4’ 2’’ when jumping against Louis Moult. Maybe he can form a Fir Park Made Me Look Like an Idiot Club with his old teammate Cammy Bell. That Hearts even left with a point is thanks only to Osman Sow’s traction engineesque left foot.
Hearts are now third and eight points behind a Celtic side who now have no European football to tire them out/make them look stupid. But as they look at their current position and where fan support and leadership from a good owner has taken them, they can do so with quiet satisfaction and optimism. I certainly wish my own club could take a leaf from their book. IM
Accies keep getting goals from unusual sources
Imagine if Hamilton Accies had a striker! Their smash and grab win at Tannadice moves them up to fifth in the table. Their haul of 21 league goals so far is respectable enough...but only three have come from their forwards, and none since August. Josh Magennis, Louis Moult, Billy Mckay and Miles Storey have all scored for fun this season, and their teams are all well below Accies in the table.
It helps that the midfield haven't been goalshy; Dougie Imrie has five and Ali Crawford three. And if the opposition score for you as well, then so much the better - what the hell was Gavin Gunning doing? He was under no pressure and then sclaffed the header into his own net, and should have then been sent off for his afters with Jamie Sendles-White too. Ziggy Gordon's winner scarcely reflected better on Dundee United's defending. Accies won't get gifts like this in any other games this season. LS
As a Caley Thistle fan, defeat at Firhill last week became marginally easier to stomach after Partick Thistle smashed five past Killie at Rugby Park. Remember how, two months ago, the Real Jags were relegation favourites. Right now, you wouldn't bet against them for top six.
For all the complaints about a lack of summer transfer activity, Alan Archibald's starting XI contained only two summer signings, with the likes of Ryan Edwards, David Amoo and Mathias Pogba on the bench and Gary Miller missing out altogether. The only newish faces were Mustapha Dumbuya and Robbie Muirhead - both make this team far better.
Muirhead's opportunities since joining on loan from Dundee United have been sparse, but Archibald gave him the chance to link up with Kris Doolan and the duo ran riot. The latter makes up for limited ability with a tremendous workrate and by using his head (both literally and figuratively in this game). Muirhead, meanwhile, blasted in a screamer from distance - not his first in his short career - and complements Doolan well with his technique and flair. The two of them may torment better defences than the shoddy Kilmarnock one. LS
Just how good is Michael O'Halloran?
Another St. Johnstone match, another exciting performance from Michael O'Halloran. The powerful attacker laid on a goal for David Wotherspoon and was once more a bundle of explosive energy. Greg Stewart was playing on the opposite flank for Dundee; can O'Halloran emulate him by earning a Player of the Year nomination? That was the question asked by the chap who sat beside me at the ICT game yesterday.
I must admit to a bit of scepticism about all the O'Halloran hype. He has been tremendous this season, but Player of the Year? A Scotland cap? I'm not sure. I don't mean to belittle him - just because he is quick and strong doesn't mean that he is simply a battering ram who outmuscles Scottish league opponents. This season he has consistently come up with an end product; his decision making is excellent and he rarely ends up in cul-de-sacs. But there's a lack of subtlety to his play which, I think, will stop him from performing at a much higher level. If I had to choose between O'Halloran and the 2013/14 Stevie May, I'd pick the latter all day long.
But hey, O'Halloran's going to score at least ten goals this season, and set up several more. He's also going to leave many a defender physically and psychologically battered. That's still pretty damn good. LS
Martin Ingram (MI) is our Aberdeen Correspondent. Legend has it that he is the tallest man in the Red Army. He writes regularly for Aberdeen fanzine The Red Final.
Iain Meredith (IM) is technically a Rangers fan, but these days he tends to support them ironically. He agreed to help with this blog because now he can tell his wife that he's "only watching the game to help a friend out".
Lawrie Spence (LS) has ranted and spouted his ill-informed opinions on Narey's Toepoker since September 2007. He has a life outside this blog. Honestly.
Andrew Sutherland (AS) occasionally writes for When Saturday Comes. He would never miss an ICT match unless he was offered a date with the lead singer of CHVRCHES...who he would then take to said ICT match.
Stuart Taylor (ST) is Wick Academy's team doctor. He is an Aberdeen fan, especially now they're doing well again.
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