We’ve been here before.
Aberdeen, on the cusp of something remarkable, a groundswell of support gathering momentum behind them, then a bump in the road.
But it feels different this time. The words draped over the Richard Donald Stand on Wednesday evening said it all. Aberdeen don’t just hope to challenge for the title – they believe they can win it.
‘The lights are back on, we’re coming for you.’ It was a response to a similar message which greeted the Dons when travelled to Parkhead on Halloween.
You remember that one? ‘Northern Lights of Aberdeen. Switched off since 1985.”
It was a reminder of the pecking order from the Hoops faithful towards the Red Army. Know your place, accept your fate and respect the natural order of the game in this country.
The only problem is, the Dons are not doing that. They continue to chip away, like an annoying itch that no matter how much you scratch it, continues to irk.
That itch is in danger of becoming a full-blown medical emergency as far as the Hoops are concerned.
There’s a lot to be said for hunger, desire and confidence. Right now the Dons have it by the bucketload whereas Celtic give the impression they cannot even find the spade.
But it cannot be forgotten they still lead the Premiership by three points and the title remains theirs to lose.
That’s why the focus is now firmly on Derek McInnes and his players. Beating the champions in a one-off game when your season is on the line is one thing but can they win again at McDiarmid Park, Caledonian Stadium and Firhill?
They must do that in the next three games if they are to put the champions in the glaring spotlight.
Celtic are on cup duty this weekend and barring the biggest upset in the history of Scottish football that will still be the case after they play East Kilbride.
What Aberdeen must do is keep piling on the pressure and ask the tough questions. Talk of winning the title will not come from Pittodrie but results for Aberdeen can cast doubt as to whether the seemingly impossible can happen.
Could Celtic really blow it?
That’s what everyone is talking about and the fact it is the Dons who could capitalise has become almost a secondary issue.
Aberdeen know the Hoops are a wounded animal; they are not used to this. While the man in charge of chasing Celtic is revered by his club’s support, the opposite is happening to Ronny Deila.
As one tweet following Aberdeen’s 2-1 win at Pittodrie on Wednesday stated Celtic supporters are divided about their manager. Half want him sacked while the other half want him to resign.
Aberdeen supporters hope the Norwegian is here for the rest of the season and many more to come, such is the fragile nature of the team he has built.
Celtic will respond – they have to – but these last 14 games of the season have now taken on a tit-for-tat nature.
Aberdeen have the chance to strike first then it will be over to you Bhoys once more.
Those Northern Lights are not only switched on, they are burning bright. The question now is how long can they shine on the men in green and white?
We’re about to find out.