THE LAST WORD WITH JOE DONNELLY

‘ABERDEEN, Aberdeen, cannae kick a jelly bean, Rangers cannae kick a baw, Celtic are the best of aw!’ Or so went the playground chant my pals and I sang at primary school, which I’m reminded of every time we travel to Pittodrie.

Last weekend, the Dons proved my childhood chorus wrong with fast, attacking, high-pressing football – traits we’re more used to seeing showcased by the team in green and white.

The Hoops’ 2-1 win in turn felt all the more significant, with two wonderfully worked goals – one from Callum McGregor in the first half, and a beautifully finessed second from Kris Ajer eight minutes from time that cancelled out Ash Taylor’s 26th-minute equaliser.

In the Scottish champions’ quest for nine-in-a-row, every victory is crucial, but there was something about the manner of Sunday’s triumph which felt extra important.

Neil Lennon’s side is no stranger to success, and while most often achieved with fast, fluid and flowing football, their ability to dig in their heels and grit their teeth under pressure is unapparalelled.

Proof of this is underlined by the remarkable nine-for-nine perfect record they’ve returned this year so far, which has carved a 10-point gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership.