Reminder of merits of a flying start

It is four years to the month since Celtic last left Pittodrie defeated. That is a period during which the Dons have largely got away from the gameplan which delivered that seismic result.

Celtic – as with any team dominant at domestic level – have long been infamous for their heartbreaking ability to scrape out results at the death.

Leave them an opportunity to beat you and they invariably will.

That victory in February 2016 was notable primarily for the Dons’ almost total control of the match, to the point of being too far in front for the visitors’ inevitable late goal to make any difference to the final outcome.

Start strong. It is always the foundation of an opposing manager’s tactics in fixtures like these. On that evening four years ago Aberdeen did precisely that, shocking the champions with their assertiveness.

But yesterday marked the ninth occasion in the four years since in which Aberdeen have fallen behind to Celtic inside the first 16 minutes. That is a far higher number than any other Premiership side, none of whom have done it more than five times.

Aberdeen are certainly to be commended for working their way back into this match.

But quick starts set the pattern. It is much easier to hit top speed early and freewheel home than it is to move the bus once inertia has set in.