Aberdeen 6 - 3 Celtic

I HAVE been highly critical of the young Dons' performances in recent weeks on this page, so it gives me great pleasure to hand out bouquets all round for their 6-3 victory over the previously-unbeaten Celtic colts at Pittodrie last Saturday.
It was unquestionably the young Dons' best display of the season and made a mockery of their middle-of-the-table position. Although Henning Boel was off the field after taking a knock on his right knee when the young Dons made it 2-1. I thought his move up to the attack on his return played a big part in the eventual outcome. I moved the big Dane upfield for the final 15 minutes of the first half in case his knee injury reasserted itself. At the interval I decided to leave the new formation alone as Henning was enjoying himself in his new role and Billy Williamson, who had started at centre forward, was playing well in what I consider is his best position, right back. Henning went on to score two goals him¬self and he provided what has been lacking in the reserve attack - someone with the height, weight and experience to worry the opposing defence in the air and to take the weight off the not-so-well built colleagues.
Sandy Cleland, moved to right half for the first time the previous week, gave an out-standing display, capped with two goals. Ian Purdie is another who sometimes lacks faith in his own ability and it was encouraging to see him coming back to something like his old form with two goals. Really we did not have a weak link, although I thought the inexperience of our trialist goalkeeper. Douglas Campbell (Johnstone Burgh), contributed to all three of Celtic's goals.

Source: Match Programme, 13th November 1971