Sunday 1 March 2015 15:08, UK
Charlie Nicholas believes Aberdeen will get a result at Celtic Park on Sunday - and keep the excitement bubbling in the closest Scottish Premiership title race in years.
Aberdeen are three points adrift of Celtic at the top and are on a 13-match unbeaten run in the league - their last defeat having come at the hands of Ronny Deila's side last November.
Aberdeen have a fantastic opportunity of closing the gap and they are more than capable of going there and getting a result. We have a genuine title race.
Sky Sports pundit Nicholas, who played for both clubs during his 16-year career, is tipping Derek McInnes to get his tactics right and take full advantage of Celtic's energy-sapping defeat in Milan on Thursday night.
Nicholas told Sky Sports News HQ: "Aberdeen are the most improved team throughout this season, and that's including Celtic. They have a fantastic opportunity of closing the gap and they are more than capable of going there and getting a result. We have a genuine title race now.
"Watching Celtic go down to 10 men against Inter on Thursday night, they have had a lot of chasing to do but Celtic players are used to the scenerio facing them. Last season Aberdeen went there in the Scottish Cup and put them out and that was the turning point for Derek McInnes.
"He has got some really good players. We know Adam Rooney is a good player and he has signed somebody like Kenny McLean who is a clever little player.
"Players like Ryan Jack and Peter Pawlett in midfield are really strong players - young and energetic. If they go there and take a cautious approach Celtic will beat them but if they play on the counter attack with pace in the wide areas, they can hurt them.
'Title race alive'
"Celtic are still vulnerable defensively but I think Kris Commons is the main man. He is the one they need to stop he is the creative spark for this Celtic team and he is the one that McInnes needs to target.
"I think we are looking at a 2-2 result. I think Celtic will take 20 minutes or so to adjust to coming back from playing in Europe. They chased and chased in the San Siro and I think the last 20-25 minutes might take its toll. I do fancy Aberdeen to get a result on Sunday and keep this title race alive."
It is 30 years since Aberdeen ruled the roost in Scotland, enjoying manifold success on the domestic stage and beating Real Madrid in the 1983 European Cup Winners Cup final.
The man who brought them those glory days, Sir Alex Ferguson, has told Sky Sports News HQ his old team will not fear going to Celtic Park on Sunday.
All credit to Derek McInnes. He has done a really good job and I don't think Aberdeen will be afraid going to Celtic Park on Sunday.
He said: "It will be close. Celtic have the more experience and a fantastic history and they have some good goalscorers in their team. It will be difficult for Aberdeen, but Derek McInnes has done a fantastic job up there he really has.
"It's been a few years since they have been in a position like they are in now. All credit to the manager, he has done a really good job. I don't think they will be afraid going to Celtic Park."
You can see the full interview with Sir Alex Ferguson in the build-up to the Celtic v Aberdeen game on Sunday. Scotland manager Gordon Strachan, who played for Aberdeen in those glory years under Ferguson and also managed Celtic, will be the studio guest from 11.30am on Sky Sports 3 HD.
