Roberts to run rampant as Celtic prepare to lift Scottish title
Robbie Purves | May 6, 2016
Celtic v Aberdeen
- Scottish Premier League
- Sunday, May 8th
- Kick Off: 12:30 BST
- Celtic Park, Glasgow
- Live on Sky Sports 3
Ronny to end reign with Hoops fifth successive title
Celtic boss Ronny Deila will look to end his reign with a title winning triumph over second placed Aberdeen.
Deila’s disappointing reign will come to a close later this month, but a draw would be enough to see the Bhoys collect a fifth consecutive league title, after last week’s 3-1 away win against Hearts.
On Sunday’s clash Deila said: “I am really looking forward to Sunday, hopefully there will be a lot of people in the stadium for a game against the two best teams in Scotland. We will do everything we can to get three points.”
Celtic have won their last four home games against the Dons and have scored a total of seven without reply in their last two encounters and Coral have the side 33/20 to win to nil.
Hoops come into the clash unbeaten in their last 11 matches and possess the best home record in the entire league, losing just once. Aberdeen have registered defeats in their last three outings away from Pittodrie and have been lost three of their last five league clashes.
Some questioned Deila’s decision to leave the club this summer but defender Erik Sviatchenko insists: “It hasn’t been a problem at all. We’re all the same about getting towards the end with good results. We are all together now.”
Rampant Roberts relishes rout
Patrick Roberts, on loan from Manchester City until summer 2017, has dazzled on his last few outings. The diminutive winger scored last week in Celtic’s Tynecastle win and will look to cement his place in the Glasgow side’s starting 11 for next term.
Signed by City for the fee of £12m, Roberts has flourished with players such as Leigh Griffiths and Colin Kazim-Richards around him. After scoring his first ever competitive club goals against Hearts, he is 9/2 to continue his excellent form by netting first at Celtic Park.
However, Aberdeen have a threat of their own. Adam Rooney has scored four in his last three and has five against Celtic in his career. With Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic out with injury and Charlie Mulgrew facing a late test after missing out in Gorgie last weekend, Rooney has a superb chance of recording a goal. The Irishman is 7/1 to score last against the table-toppers.
Marksman looks for six in a row
Leigh Griffiths has already scored 39 goals in all competitions, won PFA Scotland Player of the Year and is about to collect another league title. But the Scotland international is already looking towards a six straight league title.
Griffiths: “We’re fired up again for next year, We’ve got five in-a-row and next year we’ll look at making it six.”
Their city rivals Rangers, will be new arrivals in the top-flight next term and will look to make a splash on their return and the Gers are 5/1 tin the title next year.
Bhoys are likely to have just a four-week break after the league’s conclusion as Champions League qualifying starts in early July.