Aberdeen 0 - 1 Celtic

There was a record crowd at Pittodrie, where Celtic emerged victorious over Aberdeen by the only goal of a strenuous game. The attendance numbered close on 25,000, and the receipts amounted to £1233. On the run of the game Aberdeen were unfortunate in failing to save a point, and they were equally unfortunate in the manner in which they lost the all-important goal. At the end of 12 minutes' play the Celtic right wing forced a corner, and in the course of a melee in front of the Aberdeen goal the ball was headed weakly in by Gilchrist, the Celtic right half-back, and, when it appeared to be going behind, was accidentally deflected into the net by Maclachlan, the left half-back of the home team. After this Aberdeen were handicapped by the temporary retrial of Hutton through injury, and Celtic, showing more method, had fully the better of the exchanges, but found the Aberdeen defence as solid as their own. As the game progressed Aberdeen improved, but they failed to settle down, and their kick and rush tactics were thwarted by the brilliance of the Celtic defenders. But Macdonald, and Connon had good tries for Aberdeen, but generally the forwards, on the slippery ground, showed a lack of penetrative ability. Celtic for a time served up delightful football, but their clever forwards were well held by the masterly home defence. In the second period Aberdeen made great efforts to equalise, but though they confined the Celtic for the most part to the defensive, they failed to pierce a grand defence, in which McNair and Cringan were outstanding. On the Aberdeen side Connon and Brewster had good tries held by Shaw but the forwards always appeared to be fighting a forlorn hope. Celtic had several breaks-away, and from one of these Anderson effected a brilliant save when he tipped a terrific shot from McInally over the bar.
The ground conditions were not conducive to good football, but throughout the exchanges were always fast, and the strength of both teams lay in their defence. On the home side, Hannah, Brewster, and Maclachlan were prominent in the rear, with Connon, Hutton, and Archibald the best of the forwards, and on the Celtic side the outstanding players were McNair, Livingstone, Cringan, and Gilchrist in the defence, and Gallagher, McInally, and McColl amongst the forwards.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 1st December 1919