For years, the Scottish Premiership has been dominated by Celtic and this season they have started strongly, winning all but one of their opening 10 games. Usually, they are being chased down by Rangers, but this year Rangers are in third, nine points behind the league leaders.

Instead it is Aberdeen who are hot on Celtic’s heels. They too have won all but one of their matches, and that was a draw against the league leaders meaning that both sides are on the same number of points. Celtic only lead the league by goal difference, a remarkable +26.

WHAT A NIGHT!!!! pic.twitter.com/yIhKN6o6yP

— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) October 30, 2024

Aberdeen’s Season So Far

Aberdeen have been good this season, but their wins haven’t been as emphatic as Celtic’s. They started off the league campaign with a 2-1 away win over St Johnstone and followed that up with two, more comfortable wins over St Mirren and Kilmarnock.

Then came their first real test as they travelled to Ross County. Despite their dominance in possession, it took Aberdeen until injury time at the end of the game to score the winner, with substitute Kevin Nisbet netting in the 98th minute.

After this came wins over Motherwell and Dundee FC followed by another late winner against Hearts. This time Hearts put up a good fight and were even ahead for two minutes. Ante Palaversa scored in the 88th minute to give Aberdeen the win.

They then faced Celtic in what was a momentous battle at the top of the league. Many expected Celtic to win again and for Aberdeen to subsequently fall off, but they didn’t. Celtic were 2-0 up at half time, but two second half goals from Aberdeen meant that they left Celtic Park level on points with the league leaders.

Who needs possession?

Trailing 2-0 to Celtic, Aberdeen had only 16% possession in the second half, but scored twice and shut Celtic out to earn a draw and remain unbeaten. pic.twitter.com/UH8x1BJdAN

— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) October 19, 2024

Since then, Aberdeen have beaten Dundee United and now Rangers too. Rangers dominated possession for much of the game, but the visitors couldn’t turn that into clear cut chances. Aberdeen scored first but were pegged back in the second half only for Shayden Morris to find the winner with 15 minutes left.

Who Are Their Top Players?

None of Aberdeen’s players have performed quite as well as Pape Habib Gueye so far this season. The centre forward, who has made just five league appearances playing just over 300 minutes has scored five goals, two more than anyone else. He sustained an injury at the beginning of October which means he will be out until at least January, however the team has continued to score goals without him.

Pape Habib Guèye will miss up to 14 weeks with a quad muscle tear picked up in training last week.

We wish you a speedy recovery Pape.

— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) October 2, 2024

Another name that needs to be mentioned is Jamie McGrath who has scored twice and provided six assists in the 10 league games so far this season. He netted in each of the opening two games and has been quiet on the goalscoring front since then, but his assisting has remained constant. He managed to get both of the assists in the draw to Celtic, which was his best performance of the season?

Can They Keep Going?

Aberdeen have a huge match this weekend as they travel to Hampden Park for the Scottish League Cup Semi-Final against Celtic. It would be nice for them to win the cup, but most fans will be more concerned with the league, as they have a real shot of winning it.

Their next tough test in the league is also against Celtic as the reigning champions visit the Pittodrie Stadium on the 4th of December. December looks as if it will be a busy month with the possibility of Aberdeen having to play six league fixtures and the Scottish League Cup final in that month, should they get there.

Come the New Year, we will see whether or not the Dons can compete with Celtic right at the top.