“One-nil to the Sunday league, one-nil to the Sunday league ...” There was a period on Thursday night when Aberdeen were leading us off the pitch as well on it.
That particular piece of Aberdonian self-mockery was designed to highlight the “gulf” between the Premier Leagues of Scotland and England. A £3m wage bill was leading £61m thanks to a first-half penalty from Gary Mackay-Steven. Sam Cosgrove, a £20,000 signing from Carlisle, was leading the line for Aberdeen against internationals who earn that in a few days. If the “gulf” cliche had had a fair run-out in the buildup to this Europa League tie, so did that old favourite “Battle of Britain”, though football economics would say this was more David at home to Goliath with Burnley, a relative pauper alongside the six clubs above us in the Premier League, unused to the Goliath role.
Related: Sam Vokes grabs crucial away goal as Burnley salvage draw at Aberdeen
Aberdeen put up a much stronger fight than many – including the supporters I met on the train north – had expected
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