In years gone by a combined Aberdeen/Celtic strongest XI would look very similar to a Celtic starting 11, however, it is a different story this season.
Aberdeen have got off to a spectacular start in the SPFL Premiership, winning all seven opening league games for the first time in the club’s history and Saturday’s victory over the Hoops proved to many that the Dons are now a match for their Parkhead rivals.
Derek McInnes spent wisely in the summer and strengthened his Dons squad well, while Celtic boss Ronny Deila lost key central defensive duo Jason Denayer and Virgil van Dijk.
But if you could pick players from Parkhead or Pittodrie, how would the team look?
Goalkeeper: Craig Gordon
Craig Gordon joined the Hoops on a free last summer following an injury nightmare which ruled him out for two years. The goalkeeper was seen as a gamble when he first signed but he outdid all expectations, with his stunning displays earning him the Premiership Writers Player of the Year award.
Liverpool loanee Danny Ward has got off to a great start at Pittodrie and has shown why Liverpool offered him a five year deal before sending him north, however, despite Gordon not being at his very best so far this season, he still edges the 22-year-old who undoubtedly has a big future in the game.
Right back: Mikael Lustig
This was perhaps the most difficult decision to make. Shay Logan has made the right back slot his own at Pittodrie since his arrival in January 2014 and has proven himself as arguably the best attacking right back in the league, netting three Premiership goals for the Dons in the process.
Lustig is not as well know for his attacking exploits but compared to Logan the Swedish international has netted twice the number of Premiership goals despite only playing 10 more games. Lustig, with almost 50 caps for his country, also offers a very experienced and solid defensive option.
Left back: Graeme Shinnie
Right back was a difficult decision, left back most certainly is not. Shinnie was a standout for Caley Thistle last season and has been a shining light for the Dons so far this campaign. Deployed both on the left of defence and in the heart of midfield, the Aberdonian has certainly not disappointed.
Charlie Mulgrew, Emilio Izaguirre and Tyler Blackett have all tried their luck at left back for Celtic this season but none have been anywhere near as effective as Aberdeen’s number three.
Centre back: Ash Taylor
When the defender arrived from Tranmere Rovers he appeared to struggle in his first few outings and the Pittodrie faithful feared Derek McInnes had got this one wrong. However, he has come on leaps and bounds since then and has played a huge part in guiding the Dons to five clean sheets in the opening seven Premiership matches.
With Mark Reynolds missing the opening stages of the season through injury Taylor has held the defence together, excelling while playing alongside both Paul Quinn and Andrew Considine.
Centre back: Mark Reynolds
Reynolds was a key man for the Dons last season earning a call-up to the Scotland squad on the back of his impressive performances. Injury has ruled the 28-year-old out of the opening games of the season and the Dons have coped admirably in his absence but his return will undoubtedly provide the Dons with a huge boost.
Celtic’s defensive pairing last season of Virgil van Dijk and Jason Denayer would more than likely have slotted into this team but with the duo moving on, Celtic look a lot weaker. Dedryck Boyata has yet to convince since his arrival from Manchester City, while it remains to be seen if fellow new signings Jozo Simunovic or Tyler Blackett will be able to adequately replace van Dijk and Denayer.
Central midfield: Scott Brown
Brown has yet to reach the levels he hit last season but the Scotland captain remains an integral player for the Hoops.
The 30-year-old’s Celtic team mate Nir Bitton has certainly improved and added more goals to his game (he has already scored more this season than he managed in 49 appearances last campaign) but Brown brings plenty of energy and leadership to this team and earns his place over the Israeli.
Central midfield: Ryan Jack
The Dons captain has improved season-on-season since making his Dons debut five years ago and this season that improvement has seen him take on the responsibility of captain following Russell Anderson’s retirement.
Rarely wasteful in possession, Jack will nicely compliment the energetic Brown in the heart of this midfield.
Attacking midfield: Stefan Johansen
Kenny McLean has been one of Aberdeen’s top performers at the start of the season, netting five goals in 12 appearances so far. However, Norwegian midfielder Johansen is the most talented player on the books at Parkhead and with his class, vision, range of passing and goal threat he edges out the former St Mirren man.
If Celtic are to have any hopes of qualification from their Europa League group, the creativity of Johansen is going to be key.
Left wing: Jonny Hayes
Left back, central midfield, left winger – last season Derek McInnes took full use of Hayes’ versatility, however, after strengthening over the summer, the Dons boss is now reaping the rewards of being able to play Hayes in his most effective position, allowing him to terrorise right backs throughout the league.
Hayes will be looking to better the four goals he scored last season but he made up for a lack of finding the net by creating plenty of goalscoring opportunities, particularly for his fellow Irishman, Adam Rooney.
Right wing: Stuart Armstrong
Armstrong’s quality is perhaps best highlighted by Dundee United’s plight since he and team mate Gary Mackay-Steven departed in January. The midfielder netted eight goals last campaign, already has two goals this season and could make his Scotland debut during next month’s double header against Poland and Gibraltar.
James Forrest continues to flatter to deceive for Celtic but Gary Mackay-Steven and, in particular, Niall McGinn can count themselves unlucky to miss out on the final attacking midfielder slot.
Striker: Leigh Griffiths
The role of the lone striker is between the two best goalscorers in the country – Adam Rooney and Leigh Griffiths.
The duo netted almost 50 between them last season and already have an impressive 13 this campaign. Strong arguments can be made for both players but the pace of Griffiths and his ability to create a goal out of nothing edges the decision in his favour.