Aberdeen can bring Celtic to their knees again as viral Dons star backs Jimmy Thelin to clear Brendan Rodgers roadblock

Ash Taylor's celebration during 1-0 win under Derek McInnes became an iconic Pittodrie image

Ash Taylor reckons if Jimmy Thelin’s 100% Aberdeen can copy the class of 2015 and clatter Celtic then they could be about to set off on their own glory slide.

The Dons head to Celtic Park for the top of the table clash with both sides sitting on a maximum 21 points. The team from the Granite City have won all 13 games, in all competitions, under their new Swedish boss Jimmy Thelin. Taylor was part of Derek McInnes’ side who started the 2015-16 season with eight league victories on the bounce and left Celtic looking over their shoulder before Ronny Deila’s side eventually stumbled over the line.

Aberdeen put their stamp on things by coming from behind with 10 men to sink Celtic in the sixth game of the season on their opening unbeaten surge. Paul Quinn got the late winner and Taylor is famously remembered for his knee slide celebrations to that famous Pittodrie winner.

Taylor recalled: "The atmosphere that day was electric and the performance of everyone was almost faultless. It was incredible we knew we had put a stamp on the start of the season. To win with 10 men made it even better.”

That Dons team went in full of confidence and Taylor knows that Thelin’s men will be in a similar frame of mind heading to Celtic Park, recalling McInnes’ words of wisdom at the break. So much so that even though they were down 1-0 to a Leigh Griffiths' penalty at the interval, they felt they could turn it around.

He said: “(McInnes said) Just have the belief that we have built up we will get something. "Confidence was high!" Adam Rooney equalised from the spot and then Jonny Hayes got red carded, but the belief didn’t waver.

He stated: “You know what no. It galvanises you. The squad we had. We had experience. Quality.

"We knew we would get opportunities, especially set plays. They’re so important in these tight games."

Taylor became a bit of a social media sensation with his infamous knee slide celebration appearing all over those of an Aberdeen persuasion. "Just seeing my knee slide everywhere,” the FCB Magpies star admitted. "As they say, still sliding now, probably my best knee slide to this day, haha."

Taylor has been impressed by Thelin’s Aberdeen team and sees no reason why they can’t win at Celtic Park. He acknowledged: “Absolutely, winning at Celtic would be a huge step for them.

"It is very difficult. You have to have the complete performance and then for Celtic to have a slightly off day. Then it’s still difficult but it can be done."

Thelin whas been using a well-used tactic that their most famous manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, used and other top managers like McInnes have adopted and taken on. Taylor accepted: “It is 13 wins under their new manager. It is amazing.

“I’ve been watching some of their games this season and I’m enjoying how they’re playing. The new manager seems to have galvanised everyone. Similar to that mentality we had back then. Us vs everyone else.”

That Celtic win nine years ago catapulted Aberdeen into a title fight but Thelin has taken a similar stance as McInnes did back them, taking it one game at a time. "We knew ourselves and the squad we had that we could do something,” Taylor claimed. "That confidence was there within the squad but we kept it in house and focused on each game."

Taylor thinks if Aberdeen can maintain their blistering start then a title push or even a top two finish could be in the Pittodrie sights.
He claimed: “I think so, yes.

"The turn of the year will be big and will be interesting to see what happens during the January window. If they can strengthen again to help push more. As we know Celtic and Rangers will probably strengthen more as the demand is there."

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Taylor and the class of 2015 and 16 always look back on that season as an opportunity missed. They were right there in the title fight but Liverpool recalled Danny Ward in January, the likes of top scorer Adam Rooney got injured and they ran out of gas.
Taylor acknowledged: "Absolutely, we just fell short in the end.

"There were a couple injuries and loans returned to clubs. Yeah he (Ward) was huge for us, I think Rooney got an injury as well and he was flying. Then with Celtic's resources and experience in those final moments, they came through.”

Taylor had two successful spells at Pittodrie and was a European regular. The one thing that was missing was silverware and that was down to Rodgers’ Invincibles. He hopes the current Aberdeen team can finally get over that particular hurdle.

He added: “It was hugely frustrating. “It always said if Brendan wasn’t there we would’ve won a few trophies. They were playing some ridiculous stuff."

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