BALL KEEN TO CHANGE THE RECORD
THE evidence of the last 14 years might suggest otherwise. But Dominic Ball believes Aberdeen can secure second place in the Premiership by beating Celtic at Parkhead on Sunday.
A 2-1 win in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup in 2014 was the last time the Pittodrie side overcame the champions in Glasgow in any competition.
To find the last league win at Parkhead, a compass is likely to prove more useful than Google, as you have to go back to a 3-2 win in October 2004 courtesy of John Stewart’s last-minute strike.
Had they held on to a one-goal lead over Rangers at Pittodrie on Tuesday, it would have bolstered their bid to finish best of the rest for a fourth consecutive season.
Now the only way to be truly certain of finishing runners-up is by removing some of the shine from Celtic’s trophy presentation ceremony this weekend and taking all three points.
‘It was disappointing we didn’t get the three points against Rangers because we could have got them,’ said former Ibrox defender Ball after a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie.
‘We now need to go to Celtic and do what we haven’t done.
‘On the back of our run at the moment, I feel we have a really good chance.’
Beaten in just two of their last 12 games, Aberdeen’s Achilles heel remains an inability to defeat either Rangers or Celtic.
Kenny McLean’s debatable early penalty provided the platform on Tuesday night, before the Dons’ first-half momentum was halted by Ross McCrorie earning Rangers a deserved point in the second period.
As Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers has yet to lose a game to the team from the Granite City. To guarantee second place, Aberdeen have to change that.
‘There are a lot of things that could happen and other variables, but we are going down to Celtic to win the game,’ added Ball.
‘It is as simple as that — what happens in the other games will happen. We just want to finish the season well.’
Already, Sunday has the potential for conspiracy theories to take root.
With a Scottish Cup final in the pipeline and the league title won, Rodgers is likely to rest some key players for Aberdeen’s visit.
Insisting the Dons have what it takes to take second under their own steam, Ball said: ‘Hearts went and beat them (Celtic) and we have to show the attitude Hearts showed and try to get the three points.
‘The last four games have been cup finals for us. We have had to go and get points in every single game.
‘We haven’t picked up wins in the last two games — but they are all cup finals. And Sunday is the biggest one really.
‘The gaffer and a lot of the boys who have been here for the last couple of seasons have said this has been their toughest test.
‘If we can get second this year it would be amazing.’
Asked if he believed Aberdeen have been the second-best team in the country this season on form, the Englishman claimed: ‘I think so, yes.
‘The standard this year from when I was playing at Rangers is a lot better.
‘You see the players and coaches who are coming in and it is a very high standard.’
Aberdeen looked like they were on their way to victory at half-time on Tuesday, a dominant midfield display by McLean fading when a calf strain and tiredness set in after the interval.
‘We were all a little disappointed considering the way we played in the first half,’ conceded Ball.
‘I thought, if we had carried that into the second half, we would have won the game.’
Currently on loan from Rotherham, the one regret for Ball is that his second spell in Scottish football has been less fulfilling than it might have been.
‘I came up here and wanted to play in every game. But I wasn’t in a good place when I first came up here, fitness-wise or mentally,’ he admitted.
‘I think since Christmas I have really picked it up and the gaffer has given me a chance in the last couple of months.’