Football singularity

Chapter 264 264 Vs Aberdeen (4)

This time, Rakim opted for a more traditional delivery. He curled the ball high into the box, aiming for the cluster of players gathered near the penalty spot. Kristoffer Ajer rose above everyone else, using his height to get a clean header on the ball. The powerful header was directed towards the bottom right corner, but Ball who covered the post was there to smother the ball before it could cross the line.

Aberdeen wasted no time in launching another counter-attack. The ball was quickly played out to Stevie May on the left wing, who had just come on and was full of energy. He drove forward with purpose, leaving Jeremy Toljan in his wake as he sprinted down the touchline. Chaos quickly ensued as all the players swarmed back into the Celtic half either chasing after him or trying to support him.

May spotted Sam Cosgrove making a run towards the box and whipped in a dangerous cross. Cosgrove, using his strength to outmuscle Boyata, he managed to get his head on the ball, but his effort was just wide of the target, much to the relief of the Celtic fans.

The match was becoming increasingly tense, with both teams pushing hard for the next goal. Celtic's midfield trio of Brown, Bitton, and Henderson worked tirelessly to regain control of the game, but Aberdeen's newfound confidence made it difficult. The away side was now matching Celtic's intensity, and the game had turned into a physical battle, with tackles flying in from both sides.

[65]

Celtic's next chance came when Odsonne Edouard, who had been relatively quiet since coming on, found himself in space just outside the box. With a quick turn, he evaded a challenge from Considine and unleashed a powerful shot towards the top corner. The ball was heading for the net, but Joe Lewis once again came to Aberdeen's rescue, tipping the shot over the bar with his fingertips. The Celtic fans groaned in frustration, their team just couldn't seem to find a way past the inspired goalkeeper.

Aberdeen's response was swift. The ball was played out from the back to Lewis Ferguson, who was having an outstanding game in midfield. He shrugged off a challenge from Henderson and played a long ball forward to Dean Campbell. Campbell, full of confidence after scoring the equalizer, controlled the ball well and turned to face the Celtic defence. He saw Cosgrove making another run and delivered a perfectly weighted through ball into his path. Cosgrove sprinted towards goal, but Ajer was quick to close him down, forcing him to take a shot under pressure. The shot lacked power, and Bain was able to gather it comfortably.

[70]

The match was finely poised as the clock approached the 70th minute, with both teams knowing that the next goal could be decisive. Celtic pushed forward with renewed determination, spurred on by their vocal supporters who sensed the urgency of the situation. Neil Lennon, pacing the touchline, shouted instructions to his players, urging them to increase the tempo and stretch the Aberdeen defence.

Rakim, who had been a constant threat on the right wing, once again found himself in possession. He expertly controlled a long diagonal ball from Kristoffer Ajer, bringing it down with a deft touch. Max Lowe closed in on him quickly, but Rakim was in no mood to be contained. Performing a couple of stepovers he scooped the ball under his foot and accelerated past Lowe, narrowly dodging a tackle. Nudging the ball forward he accelerated down the byline quickly picking up speed.

The Aberdeen defence scrambled to close down the angles, but Rakim's speed and control were too much for them. He reached the opposite byline and whipped in a low, driven cross towards the penalty spot. Odsonne Edouard, timing his run perfectly, arrived just in time to meet the cross. With a powerful first-time shot, he directed the ball towards the bottom corner of the net.

Joe Lewis, who had been outstanding throughout the match, reacted quickly, diving to his right. But this time, the ball was struck with too much venom, and it slipped past him, nestling into the back of the net. Celtic Park erupted in a deafening roar as Edouard celebrated with his teammates, the relief palpable among the home supporters.

"Celtic 3, Aberdeen 2, this game is a neutral's dream" Callum McDonald stated in excitement as he watched Edouard race to the corner where Rakim was to celebrate. To the winger's delight, he performed his version of the Griddy before breaking off into his celebration. They were quickly joined by the rest of their teammates who were all smiles at taking back their rightful lead.

"That is true Callum, If I wasn't a Rangers fan myself I'd be delighted by the way this match is progressing," Roy responded with a wry smile feeling a mixed emotion about this team whom he had been following for a while. Due to the favourable broadcast of their Europa League game, the decision makers want them to continue following the team mainly because of the content mine the young wunderkind is proving to be.

[75]

The goal had shifted the momentum back firmly in Celtic's favour as their opponents were shellshocked by the sudden goal. After fighting so hard to level the game again they couldn't believe they were once again trailing. Despite all of this their response was immediate as they tried their best to gain a foothold in the game again.

From the restart, they pressed forward, looking to catch Celtic off guard. Dean Campbell, whose equalizer had energized the away side, found space in midfield and drove forward with purpose. He played a quick one-two with Stevie May, creating space to unleash a shot from just outside the box.

Scott Bain, who had been solid all afternoon, was once again called into action. Campbell's shot was powerful and low, heading towards the bottom left corner. Bain reacted quickly, diving full stretch to his right to palm the ball away. The Celtic fans erupted in applause, grateful for their goalkeeper's heroics.

Aberdeen continued to apply pressure, winning a corner moments later. Lewis Ferguson, who had been a constant presence in midfield, stepped up to take it. He delivered an inswinging cross towards the near post, where Sam Cosgrove was lurking. Cosgrove, using his physicality, rose above the Celtic defenders and met the ball with a powerful header. The ball flew towards goal, but Bain, showing incredible reflexes, managed to tip it over the bar.

[80]

Celtic were now on the back foot, defending with everything they had as Aberdeen threw bodies forward in search of another equalizer. Derek McInnes urged his players to keep the pressure on, knowing that time was running out. The visitors won another corner, this time from the left side. Ferguson swung it in again, aiming for the towering figures of McKenna and Considine.

The ball bounced around in the box, with neither side able to fully clear it. In the ensuing scramble, it fell to Dominic Ball on the edge of the area. Ball unleashed a powerful shot through the crowded penalty area, but it was deflected just wide by the outstretched leg of Nir Bitton. The resulting corner was cleared by Kieran Tierney, who booted the ball upfield to relieve the pressure.

As the match entered the final ten minutes, both sides knew the next few moments would be crucial. Celtic looked to manage the game, slowing the tempo and retaining possession to frustrate their opponents. Aberdeen, meanwhile, threw everything forward, desperate to salvage something from the match.

[87]

In the 87th minute, Celtic nearly sealed the victory. A quick counter-attack saw Rakim Rex break down the right wing, using his pace to escape his marker. Despite moving slower than he had been at the start of the match he remained a force of nature. A quick step over that turned into a rough roulette was all that he needed to get past two Aberdeen midfielders.

Despite stumbling as he muscled through the mix of bodies he remained in control of the ball. Using his hand to push himself up again he sprinted forward two more yards crossing into the final third. Feeling his markers closing in on him again, he sent an arced through ball towards the box, bending a few steps in front of the penalty spot into the run of Weah.

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To Be Continued...