The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Tosh tips Dons to beat Celtic – but not to title
PREMIERSHIP: Mcinnes’ target will be on cementing second place, says former star
Former Aberdeen midfielder Steve Tosh believes the Dons can end a 14-year wait for a league win at Celtic Park this weekend – but admits it is almost impossible for the Reds to get the better of the Hoops over the course of a 38-game season.
Tosh was part of the Aberdeen team that triumphed 3-2 at Parkhead on October 27 2004 – the last time the Reds took maximum points in the east end of Glasgow on league duty.
John Stewart netted in injury-time as Jimmy Calderwood’s side recorded an unlikely victory against a Celtic team that included John Hartson, Chris Sutton and Brazilian international Juninho.
Kirkcaldy-born Tosh, who began his career with Arbroath and later played for St Johnstone and Raith Rovers, is optimistic Derek Mcinnes’ Dons can emulate that achievement and reduce Celtic’s lead at the top to two points with a win tomorrow.
He said: “Aberdeen probably have more chance this weekend than the two occasions I was in a Dons team that won there.
“Last Saturday’s performance against Hibs was great, while Celtic lost for the first time in 70 games against Hearts.
“They will be looking to bounce back but Aberdeen will go down there with confidence after the run of wins since Derek agreed to stay. Some people will focus on where they would have been if they had taken points in their two recent games against Rangers.
“But, over the course of the season, they have done really well.
“They would love to be winning these big games but it is not easy to beat the likes of Celtic and Rangers.
“That is what Aberdeen strive for – to finish as high up the league as possible.”
But Tosh feels preventing the Hoops from winning a seventh consecutive Scottish Premiership title remains a tall order for the Dons.
He added: “I may get shot down by the optimists but I don’t think there is any chance of Aberdeen winning the league. Aberdeen’s main objective is to consolidate where they are and finish second again.
“I think it is crazy to believe they are going to push Celtic for the league title given the difference in the size of squads and quality. It would be a fantastic achievement for Aberdeen if they finished second again.
“Derek would like the gap to be closer and not allow Celtic to get out of sight.
“There is always a chance things could change if Celtic go through a bad run of form but Derek’s main concern will be cementing second place rather than focusing on trying to win the title.”