Aberdeen 3-3 Celtic: Late drama as Neil Lennon’s side denied at the death

Celtic were denied a dramatic victory at Pittodrie as Lewis Ferguson’s injury-time penalty grabbed Aberdeen a share of the spoils in the Scottish Premiership.

Aberdeen worsened a difficult week for Celtic when they took the lead before half-time through Ferguson’s first penalty (43) after the midfielder was fouled by Olivier Ntcham.

Neil Lennon’s side, who came into the game on the back of defeats to Rangers and AC Milan, responded through Callum McGregor (52), but they were behind again 13 minutes later when Ryan Hedges converted from close range (65).

The champions never gave up and drew level again as substitute Leigh Griffiths picked out the top corner (76) before Ryan Christie completed a quick turnaround two minutes later from the spot after Mohamed Elyounoussi was fouled by Tommie Hoban.

Celtic looked on course for victory but there was a sting in the tail as McGregor brought down Connor McLennan as Ferguson (90+2) scored his second penalty of the game to deny the visitors a much-needed win.

Player ratings

Aberdeen: Lewis (6), Hoban (6), Considine (6), Hedges (8), Taylor (7), Hayes (8), Edmondson (6), Ferguson (8), McCrorie (7), McGeouch (6), Watkins (7).

Subs: McLennan (6), Wright (7), Cosgrove (7).

Celtic: Bain (6), Frimpong (6), Duffy (5), Ajer (6), Laxalt (6), Ntcham (7), McGregor (7), Christie (7), Rogic (7), Elyounoussi (6), Ajeti (5).

Subs: Brown (6), Griffiths (7), Turnbull (n/a)

Man of the match: Lewis Ferguson.

How a pulsating contest at Pittodrie unfolded… Image: Nothing could separate the two sides at full-time

Celtic were inches from taking the lead in the 17th minute when Ntcham’s shot from 30 yards clipped the outside of the post.

Celtic team news

Celtic boss Neil Lennon was forced into a change in goal due to an injury to number one Vasilis Barkas, with Scott Bain making his first start since August.

Lennon returned to a back four and Tom Rogic, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Christie were back in the side at the expense of skipper Scott Brown, Stephen Welsh and Griffiths who started on the bench.

Aberdeen team news

Former Celt Jonny Hayes and Ryan Edmondson shrugged off injuries to take their place in the Dons side as Ross McCrorie replaced Scott Wright.

The visitors were dominating possession, but chances were hard to come by as Aberdeen, who lost Dylan McGeouch to injury injury with McLennan replacing him, protected goalkeeper Joe Lewis well.

However, it was hosts who forced their way ahead when referee Willie Collum pointed to the spot after Ntcham bundled Ferguson over in the box. The Dons midfielder got up and sent Scott Bain the wrong way with his spot-kick to put the pressure back on Celtic.

Celtic responded in fine style, though, as McGregor combined with Tom Rogic before driving the ball low past Lewis from eight yards.

The momentum was with the champions and, moments later, Rogic tested Lewis with a drive before Aberdeen replaced Marley Watkins and Ryan Edmondson with Scott Wright and Sam Cosgrove, making his first appearance of the season after recovering from a knee injury.

When Bain failed to deal with a drive from Cosgrove, after Celtic defender Shane Duffy’s error allowed Wright in down the left, Hedges was on hand to poke the rebound home from close range.

Brown and Griffiths then replaced Ntcham and Albian Ajeti as Celtic looked for another response and it was Griffiths who gave it to them, taking a pass from Rogic before curling the ball past Lewis and into the top corner.

There was more drama two minutes later when Hoban caught Mohamed Elyounoussi in the penalty area and Christie confidently scored from the spot to give the visitors the lead for the first time.

However, in added time, after McGregor tripped McLennan and Cosgrove had slammed the ball against the crossbar, Collum pointed to the spot again and Ferguson struck another well-taken penalty to bring the scores level.

What’s next?

The two sides meet in the rearranged 2020 William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park next Sunday; kick off 2.30pm.

But before that, Celtic are back in Europa League action on Thursday when they travel to Ligue 1 side Lille; kick off 5.55pm.