88 Season Preview 2019-20 FourFourTwo
ABERDEEn CELTIC
SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP
2019-20
FFTVERDICT
3RD FFT VERDICT
1ST
The impressive capture of Craig
Bryson is a coup and has eased
the pain of Graeme Shinnie’s
departure to Derby. Assuming
youngsters Scott McKenna, Lewis
Ferguson and Conor McLennan
continue their trajectory, there
is cause for genuine optimism.Neil Lennon’s appointment may
have underwhelmed some fans,
but he is a proven winner and,
with Celtic still boasting a core of
players who have monopolised
Scottish silverware, it would take
something special to wrestle it
from their grip. Nine in a row.The big talking point among the fans
is our six summer signings made by
early July, especially Craig Bryson.
This season will be different because
we should have a settled squad come
August, instead of scrambling around.
I won’t be happy unless we can win
a trophy and push Celtic in the league.
Our most underrated player is
Connor McLennan, who didn’t get the
credit he deserved last season. Just
19, he has raw pace and will improve.
The best away ground is Tynecastle.
It’ll be a nice change to head up north
to Ross County’s Victoria Park, too.
The best away fans are Celtic’s, but
I don’t want to boost their egos more
than is necessary by justifying it!
The player I’d happily drive to
another club is Stevie May. Would
love him to prove me wrong, though!
Our best celebrity fans are golfer
Paul Lawrie, commentator Derek Rae
and journalist Graham Hunter. Worst?
Donald Trump posed with an AFC top
when he opened his new golf course.
Does that count? [FFT: Yes, it does.]
The one change I’d make to the club
would be to redevelop Pittodrie, not
move out of town to our new stadium.
The best Dons social media account
is @ARedPOV – they always post lots
of good content relating to the club.
The signature local dish is a Rowie,
a savoury breakfast flatbread. Don’t
miss a Pittodrie Pie in the ground.
The other recommendation for
away fans is wrap up warm in winter,
that North Sea breeze is bitterly cold.
Did you know that Aberdeen were
the first club to have a dugout. Have
we mentioned we’re the last Scottish
club to win a European trophy?
Our key player will be the midfield
anchor Lewis Ferguson [above]. Only
19, he matured massively in his first
season and scored important goals.
The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is
mixed. Derek McInnes [below] has
changed the club’s fortunes, but there
is a belief he’s taken us as far as he
can. This is a big season for him, and
a trophy is an absolute must.
We’ll finish 2nd, or so says my heart.
Head says 3rd, which is more likely.The big talking point among the fans
is whether now-permanent boss Neil
Lennon can back up the treble-treble.
His selection went down very 50/50.
I won’t be happy unless we win the
league. Nine in a row, nothing less.
Our most underrated player is Scott
Bain. Deputised well for Craig Gordon
in the second half of the campaign.
Look out for Karamoko Dembele. He’s
16, a winger and a future superstar.
The best away ground is Tynecastle.
Incredible atmosphere, love it.
The best away fans are Hibs’ and
Aberdeen’s, who have to travel miles.
The player I’d happily drive to
another club is Marvin Compper.
The pantomime villain will be
Steven Gerrard. The pressure will get
to him if things go wrong. Others will
say Scott Brown [above, centre]!
Our best celebrity fans are plentiful.
Gerard Butler, Billy Connolly, Rod
Stewart, James McAvoy, Lewis Capaldi,
Martin Compston and Conor McGregor.The one change I’d make to the club
would be to focus on the football. Bin
off official hot-tubs and pillows, and
remember why the club was founded.
Save the date for Rangers at home
on December 29. Last game before
the winter break. Momentum changer.
The signature local dish is Domino’s,
available inside Celtic Park. Anything
else is best left avoided.
Did you know that in 1951 we were
the first Scottish club to play a black
professional footballer. Gilbert Heron,
the father of poet and musician Gil
Scott-Heron, scored on his debut.
Our key player will be Odsonne
Edouard [below]. Signed for £9m from
PSG, he helped to repay that fee with
goals against Rangers and the winner
in the Scottish Cup final against Hearts
to secure the treble-treble. Another
20-goal campaign this term, please.
The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is
that he’s personally popular, but has
to win plenty over. The performances
weren’t always that convincing.
If he left, he should be replaced by
someone slightly leftfield, perhaps
Jindrich Trpisovsky of Slavia Prague.
We’ll finish 1st once again.FAn FILE
GLEN SCHREUDER
@schreuder92
FAn FILE
COLIN WATT
@Colin88WattLAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 4th SCOTTISH CUP
Semi-Finals LEAGUE CUP Runners-Up EUROPA LEAGUE
2QR TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS) Sam Cosgrove (21)LAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 1st SCOTTISH CUP
Winners LEAGUE CUP Winners CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 3QR
EUROPA LEAGUE Last 32 TOP SCORER Odsonne Edouard (23)