2015-16 the missed opportunity

In 2014-15 Aberdeen had got relatively close to Celtic in the title race. However in a meeting between the top two in March 2015 the dons were beaten heavily at Parkhead 4-0. After that Celtic would sail comfortably ahead and end up champions seventeen points ahead. For Aberdeen to actually get close enough as late as early March in the season was seen as an achievement in itself. Not since Hearts 2005-06 season had a non old-firm team put up such a challenge.

The question after that season was can they build on it. They had a bit of experience of pushing Celtic well into the new year, they needed more depth. That summer they signed Graeme Shinnie from Inverness who had finished 3rd and ten points behind Aberdeen. Keeper, Daniel Ward was loaned from Liverpool and Kenny McClean was added to the squad for more midfield depth. Could they push Celtic longer in 2015-16?

The answer was yes as it turned out. They started perfectly with seven wins from seven and optimism was as high as ever. Then came the sudden lose of form with no win in the next five including a trashing at home by St Johnstone and a defeat at Celtic. What followed was a sudden return to form. That defeat at Celtic was October 31st, it would be February 15th when they would lose again in the league. February 3rd was the home clash with Celtic. A game that was won 2-1 and a game that got many to believe the dons could in fact challenge them between now and the end of the season. 

That February 15th defeat was away to Inverness CT, a game that featured some atrocious refereeing and a horrible mistake from defender Ash Taylor. A 3-1 defeat where a victory would've put them level with Celtic. Opportunity missed. 

More points were dropped in the next game when they conceded a late penalty to draw at home to St Johnstone. Celtic were now six points in front. However, three wins on the bounce against Dundee United, Patrick Thistle and Kilmarnock saw them cut the gap to a solitary point albeit with an extra game played on March 12th. They were within touching distance again but they slipped once more. Away to Motherwell they fell to a 2-1 defeat despite taking the lead and the gap was extended to four points with Celtic having a game in hand. 

That Celtic game in hand would be drawn as they failed to break down Dundee at Parkhead. The title door was opened slightly . Thirty two games played, the gap was five points and Aberdeen faced a tricky assignment away to Hearts while Celtic were away at Motherwell later in the weekend on April 8th-10th. 

A perfect start saw Aberdeen take the lead at Tyncastle and they were going to be just two points behind before Celtic played their game. Niall McGinn had a glorious chance to make it 2-0, it wasn't taken and it turned out to be the turning point. Hearts got back into the game and leveled before going on to add one more goal to secure a 2-1 win. Celtic took their opportunity and won at Motherwell. Eight point gap after thirty-three games, the regular season over and now onto the split. 

Last week's 3-0 defeat effecively ended Aberdeen's title hopes
source: sns bbc.co.uk

Aberdeen were playing before Celtic in the first game of the split, away to St Johnstone. Celtic at home to Ross County. Aberdeen were beaten 3-0. A massive defeat that effectively ended their challenge as it presented Celtic to opportunity to go eleven points clear with victory over Ross County. However a twist happened! Celtic sluggishly drew with Ross County but extended their lead to nine points over Aberdeen with four to play. 

That brings us up to the current situation at the top of the Scottish Premiership going into this weekend. Celtic face a tricky game away to Hearts tomorrow before Aberdeen host Motherwell. Celtic have a significantly better goal difference and victory for them tomorrow effectively gives them their fifth title in a row. Defeat at Hearts for the Celts plus an Aberdeen victory sets-up a deciding head-to-head next weekend. 

With Celtic almost home and hosed the 2015-16 season for Aberdeen is a missed opportunity. Key defeats at key times have kept Celtic just about ahead and the form of Aberdeen in recent weeks has given Celtic enough of a buffer to seal the title this weekend. It's well known that no other Scottish side outside of Celtic and Rangers have got their hands on the title since 1985 when Aberdeen were the kings. This season presented possibly the best opportunity to break that stranglehold in quite some time. Manager Derek McInnes has done a fabulous job nonetheless. Prior to these two recent seasons, Aberdeen had been absent from the top table in Scotland since the 90s.

Will they be challenging next season? Surely Celtic can't be as bad as they have been this season again. The promotion of Rangers presents it's own challenge as many will be expecting them to be building towards a title tilt. Their promotion does mean that the old firm derby is back on the league agenda and thus at least three clashes that will see the two of them take points off each other.
Next season has the potential to be a fascinating title race if Aberdeen can keep hold of their players, and they started well in that department with Shay Logan signing an extension. Rangers could also be challenging next season if they recruit well and we could see a three-way tussle for the title.