Celtic 0 - 2 Aberdeen

WELL DONE, the young Dons! After disappointment in the Reserve League and Reserve League Cup, they clinched the 2nd XI. Cup against a Celtic reserve side that included George Connelly at centre half and Harry Hood and Tom Callaghan in the forviard line.

While their defence was again the foundation of their sucees, the fact remains that the Pittodrie colts' victory was a triumph of teamwork. They were a splendidly drilled side, strong in the rear, progressive at wing half, and nippy and astute up front.
Ernie McGarr put up the shutters, and got first-rate cover from Hermiston, Kirkland and McMillan, - Wilson and Murray were outstanding both in defence and in urging on the attack.
Little, Robb, who got two opportunist goals and Taylor were the live wires up front.
Kirkland accepted the trophy at the finish, and the 5000 sporting Celtic fans gave the young Dons a grand reception.
It was thrills galore right from the start as Celtic went all out to draw level over the two legs. They had the Dons defence back on their heels but Aberdeen, in their first attack, almost went ahead.

LUCKY ESCAPE

Robb headed a Little corner out of Wraith's hands as the keeper jumped, but Cattanach was on hand to hit clear.
A Hood pile driver was deflected as Celtic hit back, then Buchan squandered a golden chance for Aberdeen when Callaghan made a hash of a clearance while back helping his hard pressed colleagues.
Murray was equally at fault when Little broke away on the right to swing a high ball into the middle. The left half breasted the ball down, steadied, then fired wide.
Aberdeen had weathered Celtic's opening burst as Wilson showed when he met a Taylor centre first time to let fly. The ball was only inches off target.
Wraith had a wonderful save a minute from the interval, falling backwards to grab a Murray thunderbolt.
Celtic began the second half with Davidson substituting for Wilson. Hood almost did the trick in the 50th minute with a rocket from 20 yards that hadd the diving McGarr scrambling. The ball struck the keener's right-hand post and went past.
Aberdeen showed their appreciation a minute later by opening the scoring and increasing their aggregate lead to 3-1.
Macari fouled Hermiston and the right back's free kick from just over the half-way line soared high into the middle, where ROBB ran between Connelly and Wraith to head-flick past the keeper in brilliant fashion.
Celtic fought back with tremendous gusto. Hermiston was kept constantly on the hop, and with Kirkland and McMillan fully stretched, it was incredible how the Dons managed to hold out.
Murray should have finished the game as a contest when a Hamilton cross left him with only Wraith to beat. In his anxiety he blazed over when a cool head would have done the trick.
But in 73 Minutes the Dona were on velvet. Taylor won a corner on the right front Callaghan and took the flag kick himself. His inswinger was completely missed by Wraith and Robb was right on the spot to crash the ball home front six yards.
McGarr brought down the house with a splendid leaping save from a Dalgleish rocket in the closing minutes.

Source: Press & Journal, 2nd May 1969