Sure! Here’s an extended, in-depth article-style version of the story, suitable for a feature in a Celtic fan blog or a Scottish football column — diving into every element of the match, its implications, and the emotions behind the drama.
TITLE: “Champagne on Ice: Celtic’s Title Coronation Delayed After Hagi’s Last-Gasp Equaliser Saves Rangers at Pittodrie”
Celtic’s seemingly inevitable march to the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership title took an unexpected twist this weekend — not because of anything Brendan Rodgers’ side did, but due to the late, late intervention of Ianis Hagi, who stunned Aberdeen with a stoppage-time equaliser to snatch a 2-2 draw for Rangers at Pittodrie.
For large parts of a breathless afternoon in the Granite City, it looked as though Aberdeen were about to hand Celtic the title on a silver platter. With Rangers chasing shadows, down to ten men, and Aberdeen leading 2-1 going into the final seconds of injury time, everything pointed to Celtic being crowned champions without kicking a ball. But football rarely sticks to the script, and in the dying embers of stoppage time, Hagi’s strike delayed what feels increasingly like destiny for the Hoops.
A Title Within Reach
Celtic went into the weekend 15 points clear at the summit of the Premiership with just five games remaining — a commanding advantage built through months of consistent performances, big-game brilliance, and sheer squad depth. Brendan Rodgers’ return to Glasgow has been vindicated with an assured campaign, where even a few stutters along the way did little to shake their grip on the top spot.
With Rangers facing a tough away trip to Pittodrie and needing a win to keep their wafer-thin title hopes alive, all eyes were on Aberdeen to do what few have done lately: frustrate their Ibrox visitors. Celtic fans watched with cautious optimism, well aware that the Dons — under new head coach Jimmy Thelin — had the capacity to play spoiler.
And for 95 minutes, it looked like they’d done just that.
The Match: A Tale of Passion, Chaos and Cruelty
Aberdeen started brightly, clearly up for the fight. The Dons, no strangers to being underestimated, have always enjoyed the role of disruptor in the Old Firm’s ongoing battle. This time, they had real incentive: not just to grab a rare win over Rangers, but to play kingmakers in Celtic’s title quest.
The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute through Leighton Clarkson, who bent a sensational free-kick into the top corner. It was a strike worthy of any occasion, and one that lifted the roof off Pittodrie. Aberdeen smelt blood, and their hunger grew.
Five minutes before half-time, Rangers’ task grew even more daunting when Ross McCausland was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge. Down to ten men and already a goal behind, Barry Ferguson’s side looked stunned. Aberdeen sensed their moment — and pounced.
Just minutes later, Pape Gueye slammed home a second, punishing Rangers for their lack of composure and capitalising on their defensive disarray. At 2-0, the game looked beyond the visitors, and Celtic fans across the country were already preparing for a title celebration — even if it came without their own team being in action.
But the second half brought a different narrative.
Rangers’ Resistance and Aberdeen’s Missed Moment
Give credit where it’s due: Rangers emerged from the dressing room with a renewed sense of urgency and resolve, despite their numerical disadvantage. Within four minutes of the restart, Hamza Igamane found the net, halving the deficit and planting seeds of doubt in Aberdeen minds.
From there, the game became tense and cagey. Aberdeen remained a threat going forward, and Rangers left themselves open at the back in pursuit of a leveller. Then, with the match nearing its end, came what looked to be the killer blow: Kevin Nisbet, on as a substitute, rifled a shot into the bottom corner to make it 3-1 — or so he thought.
VAR intervened. After a lengthy check, the goal was ruled out for handball in the buildup. The decision was technically correct, but cruel. The Pittodrie crowd, having already erupted in celebration, was silenced in disbelief.
Still, with 88 minutes gone and Rangers visibly exhausted, Aberdeen seemed set to hold on. Celtic fans were seconds away from popping champagne and heralding a fourth consecutive league title. But in the 96th minute, the match took one final, fateful turn.
Ianis Hagi, who had been a peripheral figure since his introduction, picked up the ball in space and drove forward. With a flash of composure and a clinical strike from the edge of the area, he beat the goalkeeper and found the bottom corner. It was a stunning, gut-wrenching goal — for Aberdeen and for Celtic alike.
Celtic Still in Command
Make no mistake: Celtic remain overwhelming favourites to lift the title. Even with Hagi’s goal delaying the official crowning, the gap at the top is still 15 points. Barring an unprecedented collapse — which seems unfathomable given Rodgers’ track record and the professionalism within the squad — the title will be clinched imminently, perhaps even in their next game.
Rodgers, ever the pragmatist, will likely use this delay as further motivation to finish the job on the pitch rather than through another team’s misstep. If anything, the players may relish the opportunity to win the title in front of their own supporters, rather than hearing the news second-hand.
But there’s no denying that this was a moment of high drama — and a cruel twist for fans who were already beginning to bask in the glow of yet another successful campaign. For a club steeped in history and success, every title matters, and every celebration is savoured.
What It Means Moving Forward
Aberdeen’s performance was a glimpse of what they might become under Jimmy Thelin — organised, brave, and bold in possession. Though the late goal will sting, the display itself will encourage supporters who have longed for consistency and identity.
For Rangers, the result is bittersweet. The comeback showed character, but it also underscored their deeper issues — squad rotation, indiscipline, and a lack of control in key matches. Barry Ferguson, standing in temporarily, will feel frustration at letting Aberdeen dominate so completely for large spells.
But above all, the day belonged to the drama. Football, in its unpredictable, maddening way, served up a script that nobody quite expected.
For Celtic, the title remains in reach — tantalisingly close. Their coronation is not a question of if, but when. And when that day comes, the green and white faithful will finally get their moment — earned not through another team’s slip-up, but on their own terms.
The champagne is still on ice.
For now.
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