Aberdeen 0 - 0 Celtic

There were about 5000 spectators at Pittodrie to see the Aberdeen - Celtic match. The Celtic, who were without Gallacher and McMenemy, forced the pace in the first half, but met a sound defence. Aberdeen reversed matters in the second half, but their forwards could not locate the champion's goal.

Source: The Scotsman, 26th March 1917

True to tradition, Aberdeen, after floundering heavily week after week and losing game after game when meeting clubs nearer the foot than the top of the League table, came very near smashing the leaders'on broken record. The game was the best and the gate - about 7000 - the biggest of the season at Pittodrie. Celts were without McMenemy and Gallacher, and missed their sharp-shooting abilities. For the most of the first half, playing lovely football, the Parkhead men did everything but score. In the second period, swinging the leather well about, Aberdeen put on a terrific pressure. Shaw and a slice of lock saved Celtic. Main and John Wyllie had very hard lines in not finding the net, and Celts were glad when the whistle blew and left them with a point. Shaw, McNair, and Browning were their best. Aberdeen were all good in the second half, and Anderson, Calder, and Colman good all through. Robertson, W. Wylie, Main, and Paton were the pick of the others.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 26th March 1917

According to the Evening Express of 23rd March, George Anderson, at the close of the match, was to make "a special competitive goal-kick." We have yet to establish what this was and whether it happened. AFCHT Editor