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• Imposters In Effect: The Beastie Boys Tribute-Dec. 27, The Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, www.themagicbag.com, doors at 7 p.m., all ages, $16+ adv. • Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers: 7 p.m. Dec. 28, The Crofoot Ballroom, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac, https://thecrofoot.com/events, $25+. • Turner Porter, Libby DeCamp: Dec. 28, The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 248-820-5596, thelovingtouchferndale.com, all ages, doors at 7 p.m., ACLU fundraiser, $10+. • Crossroads Ceili: 8 p.m. Dec. 28, The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, https://theark.org/event, $25+. • Trans-Siberian Orchestra: 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28, “The Lost Christmas Eve”, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary. • SPONGE: 8 p.m. Dec. 28, The Roxy, 401 Walnut Blvd., Rochester, 248-453-5285, www.theroxyrochester.com, doors at 6 p.m., ages 21+, $40+. The Killer Flamingos: 9 p.m. Dec. 28, Blind Owl, 511 South Main Street, Royal Oak, cover charge. • MJ Live, Michael Jackson tribute: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 29, Sound Board at MotorCity Casino, Detroit, 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary. • Lloyd: 8 p.m. Dec. 31, Sound Board at MotorCity Casino, Detroit, 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary. • George Michael Reborn tribute: Dec. 31, Andiamo Celebrity Showroom, 7096 E. 14 Mile Road, Warren, New Year’s Eve dinner party, doors open for dinner guests at 8 p.m., andiamoshowroom.com, $99 tickets include dinner stations, $69 tickets for the show only, both include a champagne toast at midnight. • The Crasherz: 9 p.m. Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve party, Younger’s Showroom, 120 S. Main, Romeo, www.youngersromeo.com, $50+. • New Year’s Eve Bash! 90s vs 80s: Dec. 31, The Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, www.themagicbag.com, doors at 8 p.m., ages 21+, $30+ adv. • NYE Party-Sunset Blvd.: Dec. 31, District 142, 142 Maple St., Wyandotte, doors at 7 p.m., ages 21+, district142live.com, $12.50+. • Joe Stanley Trio: 9 p.m. Dec. 31, Blue Goose Inn, 28911 Jefferson Ave., Saint Clair Shores, www.facebook.com/tthebluegoose2023. • Mike Leslie Band, DeeJay Gene: 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. Dec. 31, Blind Owl Royal Oak, 511 S. Main St., cover $25+. To ensure seats, call for reservations at 248-216-1112, www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563477175520. Related Articles • One Night Stans: Dave Landau- Dec. 26-28; NYE with Dave Landau-Dec. 31; Melvin Bender-Jan. 2-4; at 4761 Highland Road, Waterford Twp., www.onenightstans.club, 248-249-1321, ages 18+, ticket prices vary. • Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle: Brad Wenzel-Dec. 26-28; Zach Martina-Dec. 31-Jan. 4; at 310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak, www.comedycastle.com, 248-542-9900, ages 18+, ticket prices vary. • Remember That One?: 7 p.m. Dec. 29, The Berman Center for Performing Arts, 6600 W Maple Road, West Bloomfield Township, an evening with Larry Joe Campbell and Friends live show, https://tickets.thejdetroit.org/remember-that-one-time, $35-$65+. • Jurassic Quest: Dec. 27-30, dinosaur event, Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi, (noon-6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday), lifelike, scientifically-accurate dinosaur herd, fossil exhibits, dinosaur shows, dino rides, inflatables, Advance purchase online at www.jurassicquest.com, use Promo Code-Quest15 online for 15% off, or tickets are available on-site, ticket prices vary. • Cirque du Soleil ‘Twas The Night Before”: Through Dec. 31, Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary. • Deck the Halls with Ologies: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. daily, noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 26-29, and Jan. 2-5, https://science.cranbrook.edu/explore/programs/events, festive exhibits and hands-on workshop. • Winter at The Station: Fridays and Saturdays, through Dec. 28, Michigan Central, Detroit, festive global winter traditions, winter lights, innovative technologies, art, live performances, shopping. Parking is $5+ at Michigan Central’s Bagley Mobility Hub parking garage, 1501 Wabash, Detroit, tickets at https://michigancentral.com/winter-at-the-station. • Glenlore Trails-Aurora: Thursday-Sunday evenings, through Dec. 29, at 3860 Newtown Road, Commerce Twp., one-mile walk through experience, www.GlenloreTrails.com. • Holidays at Meadow Brook: Through Dec. 30, outdoor evening light show, Winter Wonder Lights, Meadow Brook Hall, 350 Estate Drive, Rochester, on the campus of Oakland University, ticket prices vary, www.meadowbrookholidays.com. • Magic of Lights: 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Sunday, through Dec. 30, (5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), Pine Knob Music Theatre, Independence Twp., www.313presents.com/events/detail/magic-of-lights, purchase tickets online, ticket prices vary. • Holly Dazzle: 5-10 p.m. (5-9 p.m. on Sundays) Friday-Tuesday Dec. 20-31, at 12600 Dixie Hwy., Holly, winter wonderland stroll along a three-quarter mile outdoor trail, adorned with Christmas scenes, 248-634-5552, www.hollydazzles.com. • “It’s All Magic” party: 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec 31, Detroit Foundation Hotel, The Apparatus Room Experience, 250 W Larned St, Detroit, featuring the artistry of the future with dancers paired with mesmerizing Afro-futurism projection art by Norwest Gallery and street art by All Motion Studio, complimentary champagne toast at midnight. gen. sdm., $50+, https://detroitfoundationhotel.com. • Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo: Through Jan. 5, (5-9 p.m. select weeknights and Sundays and 5 to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays), outdoor event limited to the front half of the zoo, no access to animal habitats, adv gen advance tickets are $17-$25+ each, children younger than 2 are admitted free, parking is $8, https://detroitzoo.org/events/wild-lights. • Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm: Holiday House Tours & All Aboard! Model Railroad Exhibit are noon-4 p.m. on select Saturdays, Sundays and weekdays in December and January, 1005 Van Hoosen Road Rochester Hills, buy tickets at the door, $5/adults, www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms. • Holiday Lights at Innovation Hills: The City of Rochester Hills invites the community to enjoy holiday lights at Innovation Hills Park, 2800 W. Hamlin Road, Rochester Hills, 5-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 5-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday, through Jan. 15, www.rochesterhills.org/news_detail_T9_R385.php. • The Big, Bright Light Show: 5 p.m.-midnight, nightly through Jan. 19, downtown Rochester, www.downtownrochestermi.com/the-big-bright-light-show. • The Rink at Royal Oak: Open through Feb. 17, at Centennial Commons Park, festive lights, royaloakholidays.com, weather permitting. • The Rink at Stine Community Park: Open daily through March 16, (closed New Year’s Day), 241 Town Center, at the corner of Town Center and Civic Center Drive at the City of Troy Civic Center Campus, free admission, skate rentals are $3 residents, $5 non-residents, https://rec.troymi.gov/parks___facilities/the_rink/index.php, weather permitting. • Riley Park Ice Rink: downtown Farmington open through February, 23600 Liberty St., Farmington, www.downtownfarmington.org, open daily, weather permitting, free admission, https://farmgov.com/Community/Parks-and-Recreation/Riley-Park-Ice-Rink. • “Planet Antics”: A Variety Show Celebrating the Planet Ant Community is Dec. 28, Planet Ant Theatre, 2320 Caniff St., Hamtramck, live music, improv, planetant.com/events, $15. • “A Beautiful Noise”-Neil Diamond musical: Through Jan. 5, Fisher Theatre, Detroit, www.broadwayindetroit.com, ticket prices vary. • “SIX”: Jan. 7-12, Fisher Theatre, Detroit, www.broadwayindetroit.com, ticket prices vary. • “Footloose”: Jan. 8-Feb. 2, Meadow Brook, at Meadow Brook Theatre, on the campus of Oakland University, 248-377-3300, www.mbtheatre.com, ticket prices vary. • “Farce of Habit”: Jan. 10-25, Avon Players, 1185 Washington, Rochester, for tickets, call 248-608-9077 or visit www.avonplayers.org, $28+. Related Articles • Drop In Workshop: Paper Snowflakes is 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 26, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Dec. 27 and noon-4 p.m. Dec. 28-29, Detroit Institute of Arts, Art-Making Studio, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, www.dia.org. • “The Art of Dining-Food Culture in the Islamic World”: Through Jan. 5, Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, dia.org. • “Fields-Color & Fiber”: Art exhibit by Denise Gonzalez: Exhibit Jan. 7-Feb. 1, reception is 5-8 p.m. Jan. 10, Northville Art House 215 W. Cady St, Northville, https://northvillearthouse.org/exhibitions/gonzalez, free event. • Centering Toshiko Takaezu: Book signing and presentation by Glenn Adamson, 6 p.m. Jan. 9, Cranbrook Art Museum, 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, https://cranbrookartmuseum.org/events/centering-toshiko-takaezu-glenn-adamson-with-ian-mcdonald-laura-mott. • Sukanya Ramakrishna: Exhibit Journey Collection of landscape painting and photography at Farmington Hills City Hall, 31555 W 11 Mile Road, through Jan. 10, featuring Novi artist, non-holiday hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. • “Grace Under Fire”: Through Jan. 11, the Shepherd, 1265 Parkview St., Detroit, lscgallery.com, open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. • Watercolor Painting: 7-8 p.m. Jan. 13, at Springfield Township Library 12000 Davisburg Road, Davisburg, www.springfield.michlibrary.org/news-and-events/events-calendar#/events/JIuciZ24m4/instances/4jWbUycRl7 • How We Make the Planet Move: Through March 2, The Detroit Collection Part I, Detroit-based artists and designers, featuring Subtleism” Neha Vedpathak with Agnes Martin and Toshiko Takaezu “Worlds Within,” cranbrookartmuseum.org, general admission-$10, free for ArtMembers. • Tiff Massey-“7 Mile + Livernois”: Exhibit through May 11, 2025, Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, dia.org. • Thursdays at the Museum: 1 p.m. Thursdays, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, self-guided visit of our collections for adults 55 and older. Groups of 25 or more in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties can receive free bus transportation, www.dia.org/events/thursdays. • The Hawk Makerspace: The Hawk – Farmington Hills Community Center, featuring craft space, specialized equipment including a laser cutter, 3D printer, and sewing lab. Makerspace users may purchase passes to use the equipment during Open Studio hours. Classes are also offered, fhgov.com/play,-explore-learn/the-hawk/amenities/makerspace. • Drop-in Design: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, self-guided art-making activities in the Cranbrook Art Museum, Art Lab, 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, cranbrookartmuseum.org, general admission-$10. • University of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 South State St., Ann Arbor, 734-764-0395, umma.umich.edu, ticket prices vary. Related Articles • Motown Museum’s AMPLIFY auditions: The Sound of Detroit 2025 singing competition is Jan. 11, starting at noon at Motown Museum Hitsville NEXT. Interested participants must pre-register by Jan. 8, for a spot to audition at https://forms.office.com/r/PyELywWsPP. The competition is open to solo vocalists and vocal groups from Metro Detroit ages 16+, www.motownmuseum.org. • The Ultimate Doors- tribute band: Jan. 3, District 142, 142 Maple St., Wyandotte, doors at 7 p.m., ages 21+, district142live.com, $18+. • The RFD Boys: 8 p.m. Jan. 3, The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, https://theark.org/event, $16+. • Grand Funk Railroad: 8 p.m. Jan. 9, Music Hall Center, 350 Madison St., Detroit, www.musichall.org, ticket prices vary. • A Night With Elvis dinner and tribute show: Jan. 10, Canterbury Village, 2325 Joslyn Road, Orion Twp., www.canterburyvillage.com, doors at 5:30 p.m., ticket prices vary. • Luke Winslow-King: 8 p.m. Jan. 11, at 20 Front Street, Lake Orion, 248-783-7105, www.20frontstreet.com, doors at 7:30 p.m. all ages, $20+. • Troy Community Chorus registration: Troy Community Chorus seeks new members to join its 2025 Spring Season. Registration is 6:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 and Jan. 14, at Troy Athens High School, 4333 John R. Road, Troy, in the choir room, followed by full rehearsals from 7:30-9:30 p.m. $45/individual or $80/couple. Interested singers should enter through the East entrance on John R Road, www.troycommunitychorus.com. • Saxophone and Piano Recital: 2 p.m. Jan. 12, Jeffrey Heisler and I-Chen Yeh Saxophone and Piano Recital at Orion Township Public Library, 825 Joslyn Road, Orion Twp., https://oriontownship.librarycalendar.com/event/jeffrey-heisler-saxophone-and-i-chen-yeh-piano-8754. • Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring”: Jan. 16-18, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit, dso.org, $20+. Related Articles • AMC Theatres holiday fan fave films: “Elf” on Saturdays and Wednesdays, “The Polar Express” on Sundays, “Love Actually” on Tuesdays, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” on Mondays, “Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch” on Fridays and “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” on Thursdays. At least one public showtime will be available for each title weekly through Jan. 2, at participating theaters, purchase tickets at www.amctheatres.com/fan-faves. AMC Forum Sterling Heights, AMC Star Gratiot Clinton Township, AMC Star Great Lakes Auburn Hills, AMC Star John R Madison Heights. • Cinemark Southland Center, Taylor, 734-287-0629, www.cinemark.com/theatres. • Detroit Film Theatre at Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, dia.org, ticket prices vary. • Emagine Theatres: Birmingham 8, 248-723-6230; Emagine Palladium in Birmingham, 248-385-0500; Canton, 734-787-3002; The Riviera in Farmington Hills, 248-788-6572; Hartland, 810-207-5757; Macomb, 586-372-3456; Novi, 248-468-2990; Rochester Hills, 248-378-2991; Royal Oak, 248-414-1000, emagine-entertainment.com. • Farmington Civic Theater: 33332 Grand River Ave., Farmington, www.theFCT.com. • Milford Independent Cinema: 945 E Summit St., Milford, milfordcinema.org/tickets, $5+. • MJR Theatres: MJR Chesterfield, 586-598-2500; MJR Universal Grand, Warren, 586-620-0200; MJR Troy, 248-498-2100; MJR Marketplace, Sterling Heights, 586-264-1514; MJR Partridge Creek, Clinton Twp., 586-263-0084; MJR Waterford, 248-666-7900, MJR Southgate, 734-284-3456, mjrtheatres.com. • Oxford GQT Theater: 248-628-7101, gqtmovies.com/theaterinfo/x01tk-gqt-oxford-7. • Redford Theatre: 17360 Lahser Road, Detroit, redfordtheatre.com, ticket prices vary. • Regal UA, Commerce Twp.: 844-462-7342, regmovies.com/theatres/regal-ua-commerce-township. • Romeo Theatre, Washington: 586-752-3455, romeotheatre.com. • Mitch Albom and Bernie Smilovitz: Radio personality/author Mitch Albom and TV personality Bernie Smilovitz on stage together, Jan. 6, at Emagine Royal Oak, 200 N. Main St., Royal Oak, tickets at www.Emagine-Entertainment.com, $15 per person, a portion of all ticket sales will be donated to S.A.Y. Detroit and Have Faith Haiti charities. • Main Street Pontiac opens applications for vendors through 5 p.m. Jan. 17, for the Saginaw Green Maker’s Village, at Saginaw Green Park (111 N. Saginaw Street) from March through December 2025. Cost is $150 per month, plus a $50 monthly fee for electricity and other shared amenities. Mandatory operating hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. Eligible to Pontiac-based startups and small businesses without an existing storefront in Pontiac, mainstreetpontiac.org/saginaw-green-makers-village. • Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm: Holiday House Tours & All Aboard! Model Railroad Exhibit are noon-4 p.m. on select Saturdays, Sundays and weekdays in December and January, 1005 Van Hoosen Road Rochester Hills, buy tickets at the door, $5/adults, www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms. • Christmas with the Monroe County Museum: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 29, at 126 S Monroe St., Monroe, monroemi.gov. • Holidays at Meadow Brook: Through Dec. 30, outdoor evening light show, Winter Wonder Lights, Meadow Brook Hall, 350 Estate Drive, Rochester, on the campus of Oakland University, ticket prices vary, www.meadowbrookholidays.com. • Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci): 5020 John R St., Detroit, 313-577-8400, www.mi-sci.org. Regular museum gen. adm. is $17+. Standard Mi-Sci films are available as a $6 add-on to general admission tickets. Mi-Sci is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday and until 8 p.m. the first Friday of each month. “Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family” exhibit is open through Jan. 12. • Bank of America customers receive free admission: Jan. 4-5, and the first weekend of each month to museums and cultural institutions across the country, including Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History, Michigan Science Center, Arab American National Museum, Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, and Motown Museum, bit.ly/2NvmECM. • Royal Oak Historical Society Museum: Hours are 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 1411 W. Webster Road, Royal Oak, royaloakhistoricalsociety.com, 248-439-1501, $10+ suggested donation. Unveiling Hidden Stories of African Americans in 19th Century Royal Oak speaker event is 7 p.m. Jan. 10 at the museum. The Underground Railroad in Oakland County traveling exhibit grand opening at the museum is 2-4 p.m. Jan. 12. • Westin Book Cadillac at 100 Exhibition: Westin Book Cadillac, 1114 Washington Blvd., Detroit, presented with Detroit Historical Society, exhibit explores the 100-year history of the Book Cadillac hotel, https://detroithistorical.org. • Cranbrook Institute of Science, 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, https://science.cranbrook.edu/explore/programs/events, general admission: $14, $10.50 for ages 2-12 and seniors 65+, free for children under age 2. • The Zekelman Holocaust Center: 28123 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills, www.holocaustcenter.org, 248-553-2400. • Motown Museum, 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, motownmuseum.org, 313-875-2264. • The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, Ford Rouge Factory Tours Monday-Saturday, purchase tickets online, prices vary, thehenryford.org. • Ford Piquette Plant Museum: 461 Piquette Ave, Detroit. Open Wednesdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10-$18. Optional guided tours take place daily at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., www.fordpiquetteplant.org, 313-872-8759. • Ford House, 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores, 313-884-4222, fordhouse.org. • Dossin Great Lakes Museum: 100 Strand Drive, Belle Isle, Detroit, detroithistorical.org. • Detroit Arsenal of Democracy Museum: Seeks volunteer groups from veteran and military groups to assist with restoration. The museum is also seeking building materials and equipment to support the ongoing restoration of its vintage industrial space at 19144 Glendale Ave., Detroit, including floor grinders, clear epoxy and Thinset products for floor repairs, www.detroitarsenalofdemocracy.org. • Pontiac Transportation Museum: 250 W. Pike St., Pontiac. Admission to the museum is $10, $8 for seniors and veterans, $6 for children ages 6-12, free for children ages 5 and younger. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, www.pontiactransportationmuseum.org. • Detroit Historical Museum: 5401 Woodward Ave. (NW corner of Kirby) in Midtown Detroit, detroithistorical.org. Permanent exhibits include the famous Streets of Old Detroit, the Allesee Gallery of Culture, Doorway to Freedom: Detroit and the Underground Railroad, Detroit: The “Arsenal of Democracy,” the Gallery of Innovation, Frontiers to Factories, America’s Motor City and The Glancy Trains, regular museum general admission is $10. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. “Detroit Lions: Gridiron Heroes,” exhibition featuring the history of the Detroit Lions, detroithistorical.org. • The Wright: The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, 313-494-5800, open Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and open until 7 p.m. on Thursday, closed on Mondays, reserve timed tickets at thewright.org, $30+ gen adm., $20 for seniors 62+, $15 for youth, ages 5-17, free for under 5. • Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society: Open 1st/2nd/4th/5th Sundays of the month and 3rd Fridays, 1-4 pm, (holidays excluded) with exhibits including “Four Communities” exhibit at The Orchard Lake Museum, 3951 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake. Admission is free, donations are welcome, www.gwbhs.org, 248-757-2451. Submit events online at https://bit.ly/40a2iAm .Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. stock rises Friday, outperforms marketMidd. South downs Midd. North at WOBM Classic - Girls basketball
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Rodgers' thoroughbreds are galloping towards another title... but skipper McGregor refuses to accept it's all over Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport By STEPHEN MCGOWAN Published: 09:30 AEDT, 6 December 2024 | Updated: 09:34 AEDT, 6 December 2024 e-mail View comments Three weeks till Christmas and the race for the Scottish league title has witnessed more fallers than Becher’s Brook. Three defeats and two draws left Rangers clambering to catch the leading pack. Jimmy Thelin’s Aberdeen matched Celtic point for point until they clattered into the obstacles put up by St Mirren, Hibs and Hearts. Suddenly the team in second place can feel the breath of Philippe Clement’s side on their necks as they thunder up on the rails, slowly gaining momentum. On a night of gale force winds and Biblical rain, Celtic put some clear blue sky between themselves and the chasing pack. Reo Hatate’s late goal condemned Aberdeen to their first home defeat of the season and four games without a win. A seven-point lead at the top of the table tells only half the story. Win their game in hand and the gap will stretch to ten. With a far superior goal difference, they can add another point for good measure. Barring a Devon Loch-style calamity, they will be champions of Scotland for a fourth straight year. While others are able to make that claim, Brendan Rodgers and his players know how dangerous it can be to tempt fate. In October last year, Michael Beale was sacked as Rangers manager after a third league loss in seven games. Clear at the top by seven points, Celtic allowed their lead to slip after a Rangers revival led by Clement. Callum McGregor enjoys the moment but insisted his side would be taking nothing for granted Brendan Rodgers salutes the visiting fans at Pittodrie after a statement win over Aberdeen Reo Hatate hails his moment of magic that ultimately proved the difference between the sides ‘I think we were seven or eight points clear last year and then ended up seven behind,’ recalled captain Callum McGregor. ‘That shows you how quickly football can change and you have to learn from that experience as well. ‘We understand it’s a good start, of course it is, but the reason why it’s been a good start is because of the way we’re approaching the game, the way that we’re training, the relentless nature of the coaches and the players. ‘We’ve ended up in a good position, but we’re not even halfway through yet, so we know there’s so much football to be played.’ For manager Brendan Rodgers, the key to Celtic’s domestic stranglehold is remaining calm. His players hear the word ‘calm’ repeated so often they should finish every session with yoga, a bout of tai chi and a deep muscle massage. Opponents get in their faces, hassle and harry, and do what they can to ruffle them up. Taking their cue from Club Brugge, Aberdeen did their best to press high and hard, forcing man of the moment Nicolas Kuhn backwards every time. The conditions did the rest, relentless rain and a howling wind blowing every high ball in the general direction of the Orkneys and levelling the playing field no end. Barcelona sent young Alex Valle to Scotland to toughen him up a bit. Beset by a north east monsoon, the weather in Aberdeen would have tested the foundations of the Sagrada Familia. Booked in the first half, the left-back was a walking red card until Rodgers replaced him at half-time with the experienced Greg Taylor. A much-maligned figure, Taylor’s ball popped over the top allowed Reo Hatate to produce the game’s one moment of genuine quality, chesting the ball down and steering it low past Ross Doohan. On a night which asked some different questions, Celtic found a way. Calm and composure steered a course through the storm. Kevin Nisbet earned an early yellow card for his foul on Alex Valle, who had a difficult evening ‘It was quite bad,’ acknowledged captain McGregor, ‘but it’s December in Scotland. ‘It’s difficult but the players handled it really well. I thought we showed a really good level technically and tactically. I thought we were excellent.’ Heading into the final 20 minutes, a point had looked the likeliest outcome. The simplest of passes would be blown off the pitch. Aberdeen were defending stoutly, closing down the space and forcing their opponents to feed on scraps. In the wet and wild conditions, Celtic could have taken the point, showered, changed, and sought refuge on a warm bus back down the A96. Having finally started asking some questions of Dons stand-in keeper Doohan, they wanted more than that. ‘I don’t think that’s in our DNA at Celtic,’ added McGregor. ‘At this club, you have to win every game. ‘The way we played, I think if you’d come away with a draw and never got the goal, performance-wise you’d have been reasonably happy. ‘But straight away, you’d have then been thinking: “Dropped points” and everyone feels differently about the game. ‘It showed a really good mentality that, even on a difficult night, we can produce that level of quality to get us the win.’ Auston Trusty gets the better of Vicente Besuijen on a night when Celtic were made to work hard Wednesday night marked the first time Celtic had failed to score twice or more in 23 domestic games. Where class wins the day in most of their matches, Pittodrie called for character and attitude. Players unaccustomed to a Scottish winter had to dig in, roll up their sleeves and do the dirty stuff. Job done, the message from Rodgers and his captain was clear. With the season not even at its halfway point, nothing’s won yet — no matter what the outside world might think. ‘I’ll be backed up by a lot of senior players, a lot of good senior pros,’ said McGregor. ‘Our building’s full of them. ‘The staff are unbelievable, they work tirelessly. The work they put in every single day, the players respect that and the coaches respect the players. ‘It’s a brilliant place to work. If anybody’s having any days like that [taking it easy], then it’s very quickly nailed. We move on and we try to work in the right way.’ Share or comment on this article: Rodgers' thoroughbreds are galloping towards another title... but skipper McGregor refuses to accept it's all over e-mail Add comment