In Scottish football, few fixtures capture as much excitement, passion, and tactical brilliance as alineaciones de Aberdeen Football Club contra Celtic F.C.. This classic encounter brings together two clubs rich in history, fan loyalty, and football tradition.
Every time these teams meet, it’s more than a game — it’s a contest of strategy, skill, and pride. Whether you’re an Aberdeen supporter or a Celtic fan, knowing the lineups and tactical formations used in their recent matches helps understand why this rivalry remains one of Scotland’s most watched.
A Historic Rivalry in Scottish Football
Before diving into the alineaciones de Aberdeen Football Club contra Celtic F.C., it’s important to understand what makes this matchup special.
Celtic F.C., based in Glasgow, is one of Europe’s most successful football clubs. With numerous Scottish Premiership titles and European honors, Celtic represents consistency and dominance.
On the other hand, Aberdeen Football Club, hailing from the city of Aberdeen, stands as Scotland’s northern pride. The club rose to international fame in the 1980s under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup and European Super Cup.
Since then, the battles between Aberdeen and Celtic have carried both historical importance and modern-day intensity.
Recent Lineups (Alineaciones) and Tactical Analysis
Let’s examine the recent alineaciones de Aberdeen Football Club contra Celtic F.C. in the 2024–2025 Scottish Premiership season.
Match 1: Celtic F.C. vs Aberdeen (February 25, 2025)
Celtic F.C. Lineup:
Goalkeeper: Kasper Schmeichel
Defenders: Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Greg Taylor
Midfielders: Callum McGregor (Captain), Matt O’Riley, Reo Hatate
Forwards: Daizen Maeda, Liel Abada, Kyogo Furuhashi
Aberdeen Lineup:
Goalkeeper: Kelle Roos
Defenders: Angus MacDonald, Slobodan Rubezic, Jack MacKenzie, Nicky Devlin
Midfielders: Graeme Shinnie (Captain), Connor Barron, Leighton Clarkson
Forwards: Duk (Luis Lopes), Bojan Miovski, Shayden Morris
Tactical Overview:
Celtic lined up in a 4-3-3, maintaining possession and pressing high. Aberdeen responded with a 3-4-2-1, designed to absorb pressure and counterattack quickly.
Celtic’s midfield trio controlled the tempo, while Aberdeen relied on Miovski’s movement and Duk’s speed on transitions. McGregor’s passing range was crucial, creating several chances from deep.
Match 2: Aberdeen vs Celtic (May 14, 2025)
Aberdeen Lineup:
Goalkeeper: Kelle Roos
Defenders: Rubezic, Jensen, MacKenzie
Midfielders: Clarkson, Shinnie, Barron, Devlin
Attackers: Duk, Miovski, Morris
Celtic Lineup:
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart
Defenders: Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor
Midfielders: O’Riley, McGregor, Bernardo
Forwards: Yang, Furuhashi, Palma
Tactical Overview:
Aberdeen showed more attacking intent at home, pushing their wing-backs forward. Celtic, meanwhile, stuck to their dominant 4-3-3 shape, focusing on quick one-touch combinations.
Yang and Palma provided width, while Furuhashi’s movement disrupted Aberdeen’s defensive line. The home team relied heavily on Clarkson’s creativity, but Celtic’s superior pressing proved decisive.
Match 3: Celtic F.C. vs Aberdeen (October 19, 2024)
Celtic Lineup:
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart
Defenders: Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Phillips, Taylor
Midfielders: McGregor, Hatate, O’Riley
Forwards: Maeda, Abada, Kyogo
Aberdeen Lineup:
Goalkeeper: Roos
Defenders: Rubezic, Jensen, MacKenzie
Midfielders: Shinnie, Clarkson, Devlin, Hayes
Forwards: Morris, Duk, Miovski
Tactical Overview:
This match saw Celtic dominate from start to finish. Aberdeen played with courage but struggled to handle Celtic’s intense pressing. The combination of Hatate and McGregor controlled midfield transitions, while Abada and Maeda constantly exploited wide areas.
Aberdeen’s defense stayed compact, yet Celtic’s patient buildup created openings. Miovski had a few counterattacking opportunities, but Joe Hart’s experience kept a clean sheet for the Glasgow side.
Tactical Patterns Observed
Across all alineaciones de Aberdeen Football Club contra Celtic F.C., certain trends appear consistently:
Celtic’s Possession Dominance:
Celtic controls matches with a strong midfield trio, focusing on quick rotations and overlapping full-backs.Aberdeen’s Defensive Structure:
Aberdeen often plays with three central defenders or a deep 4-2-3-1 setup to block passing lanes and protect against Celtic’s wide overloads.Transitions and Counterattacks:
Aberdeen depends on fast players like Duk and Miovski to exploit spaces behind Celtic’s high line.Midfield Control:
The battle between McGregor and Shinnie often decides the rhythm of the match — leadership versus aggression.Wing Play:
Celtic’s wingers, especially Maeda and Abada, stretch defenses, forcing Aberdeen to adjust constantly.
Key Players in the Rivalry
For Celtic F.C.:
Callum McGregor: The captain and midfield maestro who dictates the pace of every game.
Kyogo Furuhashi: Lethal in front of goal, known for movement and finishing.
Matt O’Riley: Creative and technical, providing assists and quick passing options.
Cameron Carter-Vickers: Strong defensive presence and excellent anticipation.
For Aberdeen:
Graeme Shinnie: The captain who leads with passion, tackles, and experience.
Bojan Miovski: A consistent scorer, always alert for opportunities.
Leighton Clarkson: The playmaker who brings balance and vision to Aberdeen’s midfield.
Duk (Luis Lopes): Known for pace, power, and unpredictable dribbling.
How Aberdeen Prepares for Celtic
Facing Celtic is always a challenge for any team in Scotland. Aberdeen’s approach is usually tactical and pragmatic.
They analyze Celtic’s patterns closely, focusing on defensive compactness.
Wing-backs track Celtic’s wide players to limit crosses.
Midfielders press McGregor to stop Celtic’s rhythm early.
On the counter, Aberdeen uses direct long passes to quickly reach their forwards.
Despite differences in resources, Aberdeen’s preparation ensures competitive games that keep fans engaged.
Celtic’s Tactical Evolution Against Aberdeen
Celtic rarely changes its core style but adjusts intensity and player roles. Under recent managers, Celtic has embraced modern positional play — keeping the ball moving quickly, switching sides, and maintaining high defensive lines.
Against Aberdeen, Celtic’s key focus is:
Pressing immediately after losing possession
Maintaining fluid triangles in midfield
Exploiting set pieces and wide spaces
This method ensures control and pressure throughout the 90 minutes.
Statistical Comparison
| Category | Celtic F.C. | Aberdeen F.C. |
|---|---|---|
| Average Possession | 68% | 42% |
| Shots per Game | 14.6 | 7.8 |
| Passing Accuracy | 89% | 76% |
| Average Goals Scored | 2.4 | 1.1 |
| Clean Sheets | 12 | 7 |
The numbers confirm Celtic’s attacking dominance and Aberdeen’s reliance on structure and counterplay.
Fan Reactions and Atmosphere
Whenever alineaciones de Aberdeen Football Club contra Celtic F.C. are announced, social media buzzes with predictions and debates. Fans from both sides analyze formations, substitutions, and player matchups in detail.
At Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen’s loyal supporters create a fiery atmosphere. Meanwhile, Celtic Park offers a sea of green and white, making it one of the most intimidating venues in Europe.
This mix of noise, color, and emotion adds extra intensity to every fixture.
Conclusion
The alineaciones de Aberdeen Football Club contra Celtic F.C. reflect more than just names on paper — they represent football philosophy, preparation, and passion.
Celtic’s dominance continues to challenge Aberdeen’s tactical organization, yet the Dons’ courage and discipline ensure every clash remains competitive.
Each game between these two Scottish giants highlights the essence of football: strategy, teamwork, and belief. Whether you watch from the stands or follow online, the excitement of Aberdeen vs Celtic will always deliver.