Taylor aims for Dons to give Celtic more grief

ASH TAYLOR is hoping Aberdeen can heap fresh misery on Celtic today with a rare win at Parkhead. The Dons have tasted victory in the league just once in the east end of Glasgow since 2004 but three points this afternoon would be a huge boost if they are to succeed in their aim of catching Hibs to reclaim third place.

Despite Neil Lennon quitting in the wake of last Sunday’s dismal loss at Ross County, defender Taylor still expects the usual hard game from a team now taken by interim boss John Kennedy.

‘Am I expecting a reaction from Celtic to Neil Lennon’s departure? Yes and no,’ said Taylor. ‘When Celtic turn up, they are still a very good side. They’ve got good players and we know they’re a threat.

‘It is always a tough game against them and we need to put in a winning performance.

‘We need to know what we are doing in terms of getting at their weaknesses.

‘That’s what we plan to do. It’s the business end of the season and we need the points.

‘Can Hibs be caught? We just need to concentrate on ourselves and taking maximum points from the games we have left. If we can do that, we won’t be far away.’

Taylor (below) added: ‘Getting third place would get us closer to the play-off round in Europe and the rewards to the club would be massive.’

Aberdeen’s own run of poor form ended last weekend after six winless matches.

On-loan St Johnstone striker Callum Hendry headed the winner in a 1-0 home victory against Kilmarnock, ending a club record goal drought of 574 minutes, shortly after coming on for the injured Fraser Hornby.

Hornby, also at Pittodrie on a loan deal, now faces weeks on the sidelines but Taylor has been hugely impressed by the impact made by Florian Kamberi, Derek McInnes’ third and final January striking recruit.

Now he has settled in, the Swiss former Hibs and Rangers frontman has been backed to add goals to his impressive hold-up play.

Taylor added: ‘I like Florian Kamberi. I’ve played against him before and he is a handful, so it’s nice to have him on our side now.

‘He is a big, strong boy and looks after the ball really well.

‘He makes it stick to him and then he draws players to him and that frees up space for other players.

‘His performances have been influential in getting us up the pitch.

‘He has been fantastic since coming here. He has had a really good start.

‘The goals will come for Florian and, hopefully, they come sooner rather than later.

‘It was definitely good to see the ball hit the back of the net again last weekend.

‘We got that monkey off our back and it was very pleasing.

‘The win and the three points against Kilmarnock was also important. It is what we really need at this stage of the season.’

Meanwhile, Taylor has welcomed the decision to approve the use of concussion substitutes in Scottish football from March 6 on a trial basis until the end of the season.

Dr Willie Stewart, the Scot leading studies into the link between dementia and football,

We must try to find a way of getting at their weaknesses

has already said temporary subs would be a better solution as it would give club medics more time to properly assess potential concussion victims away from the field of play before deciding if they can return to the action. And Taylor welcomed the new initiative, which was brought in by the SPFL in the same week it was revealed former Scotland defender Gordon McQueen was the latest former footballer to be diagnosed with dementia. ‘I think it is fantastic and should have been done a long time ago,’ said Taylor. ‘Football is a game where you will get those kind of injuries and the move is fantastic, especially when you don’t have any more substitutes left to use. ‘I’ve had head knocks and concussion in my career but on those occasions I’ve come out of the game. That is the right thing to do. ‘You have to be selfish and listen to the advice of the medical team. ‘I’ve not had too many issues but I’m pleased with the introduction of these subs.’