Aouchiche shows promise, 4/10 flops- Aberdeen player ratings v Celtic
Aberdeen’s tough start to the season continued as they lost 2-0 to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership and there were few positives for the Dons to take from the match.
Celtic were dominant with goals from Benjamin Nygren and Reo Hatate in either half securing victory for the Hoops.
Aberdeen sit bottom of the table with two defeats from two games, following their defeat at Hearts on the opening weekend.
Jimmy Thelin’s side have also not scored a goal yet and the Aberdeen boss will be eyeing more recruits in the transfer market.
Devlin struggles as Mitov kept busy
Dimitar Mitov – 7
Strong save from Daizen Maeda early in the second half was a standout moment for Mitov who kept Aberdeen in the game. Had no chance of keeping out Hatate’s strike.
Nicky Devlin – 4
Went through concussion protocols following a clash of heads with Liam Scales in the first half and went on to have a tough afternoon at full-back, picking up a late yellow card for his troubles.
Alfie Dorrington – 6
A concern for Aberdeen at the end with Dorrington ending the match limping around the pitch. The Dons had used all their substitutes and Dorrington looked off the pace in what was otherwise a solid display from the Spurs loanee.
Jack Milne – 5
The 22-year-old struggled against the physicality of Adam Idah and pace of Daizen Maeda. A position Thelin will be looking to strengthen.
Alexander Jensen – 6
Kept Maeda relatively quiet down the flank and can be pleased with his performance in an unnatural position for the midfielder.
Yengi failing to make an impact
Graeme Shinnie (Off for Dante Polvara 73′) – 5
A tenacious display from the Aberdeen captain, but Shinnie is off the pace compared to Celtic’s midfield and was another player who struggled to cope with their movement.
Sivert Heltne Nilsen (Off for Clarkson 67′) – 5
The 33-year-old also could not cope with Celtic’s midfield three and offered little going forward. Aberdeen needed younger legs in their midfield.
Topi Keskinen (Off for Top Keskinen 73′) – 6
Keskinen’s pace of a couple of occasions troubled Celtic, but they kept the winger quiet and he failed to have much impact on the game.
Adil Aouchiche – 7 – Player of the match
Forced Kasper Schmeichel into a smart early save with a long-range drive in a fast Aberdeen start to the match. Aouchiche looked Aberdeen’s only threat going forward and showed promise that he could be a useful asset for Thelin.
Nicolas Milanovic (Off for Fletcher Boyd 73′) – 4
No impact on the game, a quiet match for Milanovic who Aberdeen will be expecting more from.
Kusini Yengi (Off for Ester Sokler 55′) – 6
Another poor display from Yengi following his display Hearts failed to rouse the Aberdeen support. Given no service, but Yengi also offered very little.
Aberdeen substitutes can’t change game from the bench
Substitutes
Ester Sokler (On for Kusini Yengi 55′) – 6
Offered more than Yengi, but it was a tough second half for Sokler as the striker was given no service.
Leighton Clarkson (On for Sivert Heltne Nilsen 67′) – 6
The attacking midfielder could not make an impact as Celtic dominated possession in the final stages.
Dante Polvara (On for Graeme Shinnie 73′) – 6
With Celtic hogging the ball, Polvara was forced to work hard off and could offer very little to get Aberdeen back in the game.
Shayden Morris (On for Topi Keskinen 73′) – 6
Often an impact sub for Aberdeen, Morris was powerless to help Aberdeen even trouble the Celtic defence in the latter stages.
Fletcher Boyd (On for Nicolas Milanovic 73′) – 6
A fine moment for the 17-year-old who was again brought off the bench like he was against Hearts.