Rangers and Celtic have been warned that they can’t expect the status quo of the Glasgow pair finishing first and second to remain this season amid an early challenge from Aberdeen.
Aberdeen maintained their unbeaten run under new boss Jimmy Thelin as they came from two goals down to earn a draw against Celtic on Saturday.
It was an incredible show of determination and the never say die attitude that the north-east club are showing under the Swede’s leadership has impressed former Scotland striker Ross McCormack.
Aberdeen’s previous results at Parkhead had saw them lose by six, five and four goal margins. So when Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate put Celtic in the ascendancy, alarm bells were likely to have been ringing through the away end.
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But a half-time tactical tweak by Thelin which saw Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes and Ester Sokler introduced paid off.
Sokler reduced the arrears shortly after the break before Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie’s deflected equaliser earned the Dons a point.
Discussing the pulsating 2-2 draw on BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast, McCormack said: “It will give them a huge amount of confidence moving forward from that game.
“And, when teams are on winning runs they have got that ‘never say die’ attitude and when they always believe that they can get something, then they are very dangerous.
“So, it makes no difference to them if they are going to play Celtic or Rangers or anyone else, they now believe they can go and win the game.
“I think they should be taken seriously in terms of finishing second but finishing first I think Celtic are still head and shoulders above the rest.”
Ex-Aberdeen and Celtic forward Niall McGinn was also on the panel and believes it could turn out a decent result for both sides - particularly since Rangers lost to Kilmarnock on Sunday.
The Northern Irishman said: “It was a huge result (for Aberdeen). I think when you go two-nil down at Celtic Park, you are probably thinking it’s going to be three or four. I have been involved in games like that on both sides.
“When we beat Aberdeen nine-nil, and I’ve been involved with Aberdeen when we’ve went three-two up and Celtic have come back and beat us four-three.
“You think it’s going to be a comfortable afternoon but looking from the outside in, I think it’s clear Aberdeen have a way of playing and style that has that ‘never say die’ attitude. They’ve got very experienced players there.
“Even looking at the bench for Aberdeen, it’s strong. Duk can come on, (Shayden) Morris for energy, players that can create chances and put their foot on the ball.
“You can see how clearly the manager has dropped his message on the players and they are all singing from the same hymn sheet.
“As an ex-Aberdeen player it’s good to see them come back and get the point. But obviously growing up playing for Celtic and supporting Celtic, it’s disappointing. Although I was sitting on the fence on Saturday. It was a good result for both teams.”
