Substitute Mark Burchill reminded Celtic head coach Jozef Venglos of his
incredible goalscoring potential to deprive Aberdeen of a point at Parkhead.
The Scotland Under-21 forward has been frustrated by a lack of first-team
opportunities this term, but, in his club's final home game of the season,
picked his moment to shine.
Tommy Johnson had staked his personal claim for a Scottish Cup final place
with a memorable strike to put Celtic 2-1 up, but Aberdeen twice levelled as
they refused to accept defeat.
With the title already lost, the May 29 date at Hampden Park is Celtic's only
meaningful remaining fixture, though they showed enough resolve to merit this
dramatic victory.
Aberdeen, effectively managerless after informing caretaker boss Paul Hegarty
his services will not be required beyond the end of the season, refused to be
overwhelmed in an even contest.
Regi Blinker took only 64 seconds to establish a degree of Celtic dominance
with a well-executed strike from the edge of the area, but that by itself was
not enough to kill off the Dons.
After 56 minutes, an impressive Andreas Mayer finish put the visitors level
and it needed Johnson's third goal in two starts since his return from injury to
regain the lead.
Aberdeen stirred again however and after Jonathan Gould failed to hold an Eoin
Jess shot, Mark Perry was on hand to score with just nine minutes remaining.
It needed Burchill to twist and turn to create time and space for himself in
the area with 88 minutes on the clock to force the Pittodrie outfit to finally
call time on their comeback.
Stewart Kerr's Celtic future looks uncertain after he was left out of the home
line-up to allow for Jonathan Gould's return in goal after a shoulder problem.
The question of whether either Stephane Mahe or Vidar Riseth would pay further
for their sendings-off against Rangers a fortnight ago was answered when both
started the game.
Celtic had Mark Viduka suspended so promoted Johnson to the attack,
while Aberdeen were without the banned Derek Whyte, Jess taking over as
skipper.
Having taken the lead at Dunfermline after 66 seconds last week, Celtic took a
mere 64 seconds to move in front today through Blinker's stylish strike.
Colin Healy, in his first home start, made ground down the right before his
cross caused havoc in the Dons backline, the ball only cleared to the edge of
the area where Blinker made no mistake.
Johnson forced Aberdeen keeper Tony Warner, who was on loan to Celtic from
Liverpool earlier this term, to backpedal after four minutes with a cross which
drifted goalwards.
Michael Hart went close for the Dons with a half-volley wide of the mark, but
Celtic responded positively with a Johnson shot from distance beating Warner and
narrowly clearing the bar.
Healy then released Johnson clear through the middle, but the former Derby and
Aston Villa man's shot struck the legs of Warner and rebounded to safety.
Gould justified his recall with a stunning save two minutes later to keep out
a curling goalbound effort from Andy Dow with a one-handed tip-over to
preserve Celtic's slim advantage.
Healy played in Johnson three minutes after the restart, but rounding keeper
Warner took the striker too wide and he was only able to fire into the
side-netting from an acute angle.
Larsson then had a shot on the turn clutched by Warner as Celtic looked to
dominate, only for Aberdeen to level against the run of play with a goal out of
nothing.
Russell Anderson's low cross from the right was hit first-time by Mayer whose
effort crashed into the top corner beyond Gould to stun the home support.
Celtic might have gone back in front within two minutes with Larsson's header falling to
Blinker whose fierce effort wrongfooted Warner and struck the base of the post.
Yet with their next attack Celtic did regain their advantage, Healy finding
Larsson whose backheel into the path of Johnson was slotted low past Warner.
Johnson, clearly drained, was taken off with 15 minutes remaining to the kind
of reception he has waited for during his long battle to regain fitness.
Celtic looked relaxed, but an element of complacency at the back was punished
after 81 minutes by Perry with claims Gould had been challenged unfairly by
substitute Derek Young dismissed.
Burchill had the last word however and the Celtic faithful stayed on to salute
their heroes who remained on the field at the end before throwing their shirts
into the stands.
Teams
Celtic: Gould, Stubbs, Annoni, Mahe, Riseth, Wieghorst,
Lambert, Healy, Blinker, Larsson, Johnson (Burchill 76).
Subs Not Used: Brattbakk, O'Donnell, Donnelly, Corr.
Booked: Annoni.
Goals: Blinker 1, Johnson 60, Burchill 88.
Aberdeen: Warner, Anderson, Perry, Smith, Dow,
Hart (Wyness 89), Bernard, Mayer, Jess, Winters,Hamilton (Young 73).
Subs Not Used: Leighton, Pepper, Milne.
Booked: Bernard, Anderson, Perry, Hart.
Goals: Mayer 55, Perry 81.
Att: 59,138
Ref: A Freeland (Aberdeen).
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