CELTIC will move a magnificent seven points ahead of Aberdeen if they beat Ross County in Dingwall this evening – and Brendan Rodgers’ side will still have a game in hand.
The Dons, who face the Hoops in the Betfred League Cup Final next month, blew the chance of moving to within a point of the champions when they flopped 1-0 at Hamilton last night.
Accies striker Alex D’Acol scored the goal that mattered from the penalty spot after just six minutes. The Pittodrie side’s winning run in all competitions came to an end at six games.
The game hinged on a penalty decision from referee Willie Collum, who adjudged Anthony O’Connor’s challenge on D’Acol to be a foul.
D’Acol picked himself up to slam the spot-kick past goalkeeper Joe Lewis for his fourth goal of the campaign.
The Dons struggled to recover and D’Acol hit the side-netting with a drive from 25 yards before Eamonn Brophy slammed one just wide.
Derek McInnes’ men had a penalty appeal rejected early in the second-half when Kenny McLean went down in the box, but Collum waved play on.
Adam Rooney headed a Jonny Hayes cross straight into the arms of keeper Gary Woods before Hayes fired over on the angle as the Dons fans in the crowd of 2,315 vented their frustration on Collum.
The Dons could see any lingering title challenge blown to smithereens on Saturday when Celtic play them in the High Noon shoot-out at Pittodrie.
