Celtic 2-1 Aberdeen: The Bhoys need Commons touch

Ronny Deila promised a new attacking arsenal at Celtic after signing five forwards.

But Kris Commons continues to be by far the most explosive weapon in the Parkhead manager’s armoury.

And Deila must surely now realise that last season’s leading scorer has to start every match if he’s fit.

The Norwegian was criticised for starting with Commons on the bench when Celtic were dumped out of the Champions League by Maribor.

There were even suggestions the playmaker might have been shipped out before the end of August as opposed to offering him a new deal to extend his stay beyond this season.

Yet, on a day when three of Deila’s new attacking players all made their debuts, it was the old-timer who stole the show in a well-deserved victory over Aberdeen.

Incredibly, his second half strike was his 10th in 13 games against the Dons and on another day, he could have easily scored another five.

But it seems he has finally managed to win over his manager.

He said: “The first 60 minutes is the best I’ve seen Kris this year. He’s working hard, good in training and when he’s on top, I think there is even more to go to get his fitness even better. But he’s a special player.”

When he talks about his ideal player he never fails to mention pace, ability to press opponents and fitness.

What he doesn’t mention, and what he gets in abundance from Commons, is invention, craft and goals.

Quite simply, he is the most talented player at the club despite the arrivals of Stefan Scepovic, Aleksandar Tonev, John Guidetti, Mubarak Wakaso and Jo Inge Berget.

The first two of that incoming batch were handed their debuts from the start as Deila hoped to witness an attacking improvement.

Their arrivals were too late to help secure Champions League football, with Celtic’s exit prompting fierce criticism of the club’s transfer policy.

And the announcement of pre-tax profits of £11.2m last week only adds weight to the argument more

investment could have, and should, been made. And on the evidence of 90 minutes against the most credible title challengers, it’s hard to argue Celtic don’t have more than enough to win the title this season.

What remains unknown, and the Europa League campaign might just help give a clearer indication, is how well-equipped this team is to cope with a step up in quality.

Celtic travel to Austria this week to begin their group section against Salzburg and there will have to be signs of Deila’s masterplan all coming together after three months in charge.

One area Celtic look especially strong in is set-pieces.

In the recent home win over Dundee United, four of their six goals came from corners and that’s where their opening goal came from again.

Aberdeen failed to clear Commons’ delivery and Efe Ambrose’s left-foot shot hit team-mate Jason Denyer before finding the net.

Lady Luck was once again on Celtic’s side a minute into the second half when Commons benefited from a deflection off Shaleum Logan to put the home side two ahead.

Whatever the reason, Aberdeen didn’t seem to start until that point. Given the changes at Celtic and a less than convincing start, this was the perfect chance for Derek McInnes’s men to show there might just be a title race on the go this season.

They went home knowing they missed a great opportunity. David Goodwillie’s goal made it a nervous finish for Celtic and was no more than Aberdeen deserved for a vastly improved second-half display.

They were denied what looked like a stonewall penalty when Commons handled a goal-bound free-kick from Niall McGinn but over the piece Celtic just about deserved all three points.

But both teams have questions to answer. Can Deila produce the performances he promised and can McInnes get closer to Celtic this season and add to the silverware they won last season? Time will tell.