EDDIE’S HOOPY XMAS
Edouard extends winning run to crank up festive cheer but Cosgrove sees red
One centreforward kept a cool head to win the game for his side.
The other lost his for a split second and cost his team any chance of the points. For Celtic, striker Odsonne Edoua rd produced a controlled f inish to seal their 10th Premiership win on the spin. But for Aberdeen, top scorer Sam Cosgrove launched into a tackle on Kris Ajer at the corner f lag that earned him a straight red card.
Dons boss Derek McInnes disputed that decision at full-time and he might have a point. Cosgrove DID win the ball.
But it was all so unnecessary from the man who had dragged his team back into the match with an equaliser. When you go in on someone with such speed, you’re always going to give referee Euan Anderson a decision to make. It was a pivotal moment in a compelling 90 minutes. Christopher Jullien had given the home side an early lead before Cosgrove’s header got McInnes’ men level before the break.
But not for the first time this season, Edouard proved to be the difference.
Fel low Frenchman Jul lien revealed he told his team-mate he’d get the winner – and praised Edouard’s composure on and off the pitch.
The defender said: “I said to Odsonne at half-time ‘Don’t worry man, you’re going to score.’
“He has been unbelievable for us and we know he’s a threat.
“If Odsonne keeps getting chances he’s going to score.
“He is so calm and is always going to score in that situation.
“At the end, I told him he should have had five or six.
“But Odsonne knows his strengths – we really trust him.
“He’s one of the coolest guys I know. He’s just Odsonne. He’s like that in real life and on the pitch.
“But he’s one of the best strikers I have ever played with in that final 10 metres.
“To finish like that with his left foot after the chances he’d had – to show that strength of mind – is so good for us.”
Jul lien was concerned for defensive partner Ajer after the Cosgrove tackle, even though the Norwegian got through the rest of the game.
He said: “I’ve seen it again. I was sure it would be a good tackle but it was dangerous for Kris.
“For me, it’s a red card. That’s just logic, it was the right call.”
Early on here, Aberdeen’s attempts to stifle the champions looked forlorn.
Certainly, when Jullien’s mis-hit shot after just seven minutes evaded a slow-to-react Joe Lewis and ended up in the top corner of the Dons goal , you feared the worst for McInnes’ side.
Celtic dominated territory and possession. Before Jullien scored, the defender had already hit the bar with a header.
Lewis had also thwar ted Edouard, Ryan Christie fired a snap shot wide, while the two Dons centre- backs – Scott McKenna and Ash Taylor – had to defend stoutly.
If anything, Celtic were guilty of overplaying, which would have irked boss Lennon on the side - lines. They were too intricate at times, over- elaborate with their approach play.
Edouard, in particular, was looking to score the perfect goal.
At one stage he was clean through but took an age to take a touch and pick his spot – allowing Shay Logan to get back and block.
Initially, it was difficult to see how Aberdeen were going to get out, never mind pose any threat at the other end.
But the more Celtic dithered in the first 45, the more the Dons grew into it.
And 10 minutes before the break, they got a golden goal to tie it up. It started with a clever flick from big McKenna on the right wing that got Niall McGinn into space. He picked out a peach of a cross for Cosgrove to tower over Ajer and nod the ball home for his f irst goal from open play against the Hoops – and his 20th of the campaign.
The Parkhead punters were stunned but emotions in the stands quickly changed to frustration and anger. Christie was booked for diving, which looked to be the right call from ref Anderson.
And the whistler alienated himself further with the home support when he turned down strong penalty claims after James Wilson’s challenge on Edouard.
It was risky after a poor touch but he appeared to get enough on the ball to prevent a spot kick.
Aberdeen got to half-time level and came out with a clear game plan to sit narrow and deep in a bid to frustrate Celtic.
For a spell it worked. Celtic’s creative wide players Christie and James Forrest were being crowded out.
They needed someone to break the red lines and Ajer emerged from the back to help carve out the vital second goal.
He charged through the middle before slipping the ball to Christie, who came up with a killer pass for Edouard.
This time the Frenchman got his shot off, slotting it past Lewis into the bottom corner.
It was a body blow to McInnes but he suffered an even bigger one moments later.
After Ajer got back to make a brilliant tackle on sub Jon Gallagher who broke on a counter attack, Cosgrove chased him down and flew into the challenge, taking the ball and a bit of the man, leaving Ajer on the deck.
It was a crunching tackle at pace and it was no rea l su r pr i se when Anderson produced a red card, although, Ajer’s reaction and a crowd of Celtic players surrounding the official did the Aberdeen man no favours.
Cosgrove’s team-mates felt hard done by but their talisman had let them down.
Lennon’s side were now firmly in the driving seat and he brought on Mikey Johnston to add fresh attacking threat.
Lewis had to be secure because while it stayed 2-1, the Dons had a chance, even with 10 men.
And they got it in injury time with a free-kick just outside the box – but Lewis Ferguson’s shot disappeared into the stands along with any hope of a taking a point.