Commons showed us no respect, says Logan
SHAY LOGAN has put a dampener on Celtic’s title party by insisting that Parkhead forward Kris Commons had shown rivals Aberdeen a lack of respect. Commons claimed last week that the Dons had never posed a serious threat to their Premiership bid, even though Derek McInnes’ men had gone four points clear at the top of the league back in January. Unsurprisingly, those comments served to irk those within the Pittodrie dressing room who had fought to stay the distance until Saturday’s 1-0 defeat away to Dundee United finally sent the title to Glasgow. And Logan was quick to show his displeasure. ‘It is disrespectful of Kris to say there has been no title race,’ said the Dons defender. ‘It’s all well and good saying that when he needed us to lose a game but he wasn’t saying that two months ago
and wasn’t saying that when his team played us.
‘That’s his opinion and fair play to him and Celtic for winning the league. But they have to play us next week and we hope to right a few wrongs in the game.
‘I’m very proud of the team and the way we have performed this season.
‘It wasn’t the best game for us on Saturday but we’ve performed well this season and it just wasn’t to be.
‘Last season we were third, this year we are second and maybe next year it will be first. That is what we will be aiming for.
‘The head-to-head games have been a factor, but there were a couple which we shouldn’t have lost.
‘Celtic have been more clinical against us but we have a good mindset at our club.
‘Sometimes you need the ball to fall for you or a decision to go your way, but that’s football.
‘I would never have a go at a team that has won the league, but there has been a few bobbles here and there and some decisions which have gone their way.’
Aberdeen appeared genuine contenders but couldn’t muster a league win over their rivals when it mattered. On Saturday, their bid came t o an end as Robbie Muirhead’s 13th-minute winner for United killed off any lingering hopes they had.
However, while Celtic plan to l aunch their own foray i n the glamour of the Champions League arena next season, the Dons already have their own domestic plans in mind which will focus on mounting another sustained title challenge.
‘ I’m not despondent,’ added Logan. ‘Celtic have won the league by 20 or 30 points before and, with the resources they’ve got, they should.
‘But we have a great team and manager, so we can get closer. We’re very close and next season, hopefully, we can get closer.
‘We have come a long way but with the money Celtic have everyone expects them to win the title by February and March.
‘We’ve pushed them every step of the way and hopefully next season, with a few more players, we can push them a little bit more.’
Logan holds a r espect f or Deila’s side that he feels wasn’t reciprocated by Commons but, having said that, he doesn’t rate them as the force they once were.
With the gap narrowing between the champions and the challengers, the former Man City starlet insists they are anything but scared at the prospect of going head-to-head with Celtic again next season.
‘I can’t predict the future, but Celtic are not the side of previous years,’ said Logan.
‘They are a very good team still and despite what has happened between me and them in the past, I have a lot of respect for them and f air play to them f or winning the l eague. But they are not invincible.
‘The games we have played have been very close and we don’t fear playing anyone in this league.
‘There was a sloppiness to our game (against Dundee United) which isn’t normally there and it just wasn’t to be. We’re disappointed to lose but, when you look at the bigger picture, we are pleased with what we have achieved.’
Logan’s solid showings in the Dons defence have won him a place in the PFA Premiership Team of the Year along with prolific striker Adam Rooney.
Of course, Aberdeen will require to strengthen over the summer if they’re to take Celtic all the way to the wire next season, and Logan reckons potential targets will be flocking to sign on at Pittodrie in light of how well they’ve performed throughout the course of the campaign.
He said: ‘I’m sure the manager will bring in players who will strengthen the team.
‘Graeme Shinnie will be a good addition to the squad and I’m sure a few more will want to come here after seeing what we have done.
‘Making Team of the Year was a private goal at the start of the season for me, but I wouldn’t be there if I didn’t have a good team around me.’