Aberdeen 6 - 2 Celtic

by Norman MacDonald

More than 30,000 enthusiasts saw the Dons run into their best form against Celtic at Pittodrie. Definitely their best display of the season so far.

The team has "arrived" at the right time. This week they travel to meet Motherwell and St Mirren. Two formidable tasks, certainly, but not beyond their powers on Saturday's form.
The victory over Celts was no one-man triumph. Every man of the eleven did his share. There were five potential match-winning forwards, every one of whom beat Miller, Scotland's keeper - Archie Baird twice.
In the tenth minute Miller, at full length, stopped but failed to hold a ground shot from Kiddie, and Harris scored. That started the Pittodrie "Invasion."
Hamilton, with a glorious drive, and Williams, with a neat hook, had made the Aberdeen total three before Celtic had time to find their feet.

Fighting Chance

I admired the way the young Celtic team recovered from this knock-out blow. Inside-right Kiernan twice penetrated the home defence to give his team a fighting chance.
The Dons faltered, recovered, and when Kiddie increased their lead ten minutes after the restart they strode forward to finish impressive winners.
Came Baird's two goals. The first neatly headed home from a corner by Williams, and his second is one of my happiest recollections of the game.
He picked up a clearance about the midway line during a Celtic attack, outpaced the Parkhead defence, and raced on to beat Miller with a magnificent left-foot drive.
The Pittodrie defence was sure and steadfast. Some thought Johnstone might have saved the second goal, but to me the keeper appeared to be unsighted.
Cowie was once more the best back afield, and Waddell gave a first-class display at centre-half, The experiment of playing McCall at left half was a success, and Dunlop was happier at right half than he has been since the season opened.
All the forwards played well, and Williams' return certainly added danger to the line.

Source: Press & Journal, 19th August 1946