Jamie McGrath insists a refusal to rage is firing Aberdeen’s flying form.
The Republic of Ireland international is savouring the storming run at Pittodrie and playing a key role in the squad’s ascent. McGrath’s jaw-dropping pass at Celtic Park to set sub Ester Sokler away to strike the goal which sparked the Dons fightback in Glasgow typified a terrific start to the term.
The 28-year-old has shone for new boss Jimmy Thelin with his display against the champions marking him out as man of the match with many fans. McGrath’s composure in the middle of the park is matched by the Swede’s cool authority in the technical area and dressing room. Never was the ability for all to stay calm in the heat of problematic times more evident than in Glasgow’s East End. Thelin’s measured response to falling 2-0 down at the interval and tactical changes brought about the fabulous revival.
But McGrath believes there was also a unity and togetherness on the park which made it all possible. Instead of bickering and snipining amongst themselves in the face of severe adversity, the Dons simply galvanised and got stronger.
McGrath noted that critical outlook as he explained: “When you go two down, you could start arguing with yourselves, but I never felt us get into that situation.
“We remained calm, the gaffer settled us down at half-time, tweaked a few things and we showed great character. I thought the character of the team was unbelievable because that’s the first time we’ve faced being a goal or two down.
“On another time, I have been part of teams where it would have become a third or a fourth, but I never felt that. We had to weather the storm at times but you will alway have that at Celtic Park.
“Staying in the game is the big thing because, if we do that, we know we’ll score. To get the first goal back was big and once we did that, we got a really good foothold in the game and looked dangerous. You have to give credit to the substitutes because they came on and really changed the game, too.”
There were so many aspects to Aberdeen’s performance and result against Celtic which have brought yet more positive energy to the camp. Despite winning all of their opening 13 matches of the campaign, there remained a host of doubters outside the club who sniped they had yet to do it against the big guns.
Without a chance to show their strength against either Celtic or Rangers, Thelin’s team were not given full credit by some observers for their work. However, events at Celtic Park changed all that.
The result kept them level on points at the top of the table and now the opportunity is there for Thelin’s team to go clear on Saturday. With Brendan Rodgers’ men not in action until Sunday at Motherwell, Aberdeen can move ahead if they avoid defeat at home to Dundee United.
As well as the collective, there were a host of individuals who stepped up to the mark again when it counted. Goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov’s fabulous late save to deny Adam Idah was another example of the summer signing saving points from his team.
That came deep in stoppage-time and there was still time for Duk to make an astonishing goalline block from Alistair Johnston. Given the events of the summer, it was a massive moment for the Cape Verde international and the celebrations with team-mates suggested a healing of wounds.
Duk also had the ball in the net at Parkhead following his impactful sub appearance, but it was ruled out as the ball struck his elbow after being headed down by team-mate Slobodan Rubezic. McGrath said: “Dimi’s save was unbelievable but he has done that all season. We knew we would need him and he’d be called upon. Everything he did, he did so well.
“Even Duk at the end, it happened so quickly I was dreading it being handball, but it hit his chest. That just showed the character, everyone is willing to die for the three points.
“I thought Duk had scored, I put the ball into the box and then saw it in the net, so we were in the corner celebrating. Although you could tell from Duk’s body language that he thought he’d probably handled it.
“On another day we could have scored again on the counter-attack. Topi Keskinen was brilliant for us, he really was an out-ball and, at another time, we could maybe have gone 3-2 up.
“But, after going two behind at a place like that, we can’t complain. It was an enjoyable game to be a part of, the fans were amazing so the atmosphere was unreal. I had a lot of family over so it was extra-special to be celebrating in front of them.”
Typically, McGrath played down his own part in the performance, even though his assist for Sokler was a thing of beauty. The midfielder, who is out of contract next summer, won Man of the Match from fans on Red TV and told the channel: “It was a nice compliment to get the credit, but everyone worked to keep the ball out of the net, especially in those last minutes.
“We showed real hunger to keep them out, everyone worked their socks off and as a whole we deserved a point.”