ABERDEEN 0 CELTIC 2
IT WAS celebrations at the double for Celtic as they overwhelmed a committed Aberdeen side at Pittodrie this afternoon.
Benjamin Nygren scored his first competitive goal for the champions and the points were sealed with an absolute screamer in the second-half from Reo Hatate as Brendan Rodgers enjoyed his 20th win over the Dons in 24 outings.
It was a convincing performance from the Hoops as they dismantled the opponents who had scuppered their hopes of a sixth treble in nine years in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden in May.
Revenge was, indeed, sweet on this occasion.
BREAKTHROUGH…Benjamin Nygren wallops in a left-drive for the opening goal against Aberdeen and his first for Celtic in the 2-0 win at Pittodrie.
It had been a no-holds-barred confrontation with the Dons adopting an aggressive approach before the champions took the lead in the 27th minute.
It was a superb sweeping move on the left after the impressive Liam Scales picked out Kieran Tierney who performed a neat shimmy and change of pace to flummox Nicolas Milanovic as he took off down the wing.
The comeback Bhoy whipped over an inviting low cross and Nygren made a perfect connection with his left foot from 10 yards to place a fierce shot wide of keeper Dimitar Mitov to his right.
It was the Swede’s first goal since his summer arrival and, amazingly, he had the opportunity to claim his second just a couple of minutes later.
After some good work on the left touchline, the ball was switched inside to Hatate who rattled in a low drive from the edge of the box.
LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE SWEDE…Benjamin Nygren celebrates his first Celtic goal.
Mitov had to be swift to get down to his left to push the effort away, but the rebound went straight to the lurking Nygren.
He took the ball first-time and, on this occasion, his accuracy was out and his attempt flew waywardly over the crossbar.
Nygren’s strike, though, was invaluable at a time when the hosts were attempting to dictate play and Alistair Johnston and Tierney were both bowled over by robust challenges from behind.
Callum McGrgor, making his 350th league appearance for the club, was not pleased with referee John Beaton after he survived a cynical trip from Sivart Nilsen and was then flattened by Alexander Jensen.
The match official was content to keep his cards in his pocket and the Dons duo escaped punishment.
Beaton also baffled the visitors when he failed to see a clear handball from Nilsen in the eighth minute when he prevented a pass from Nygren reaching a team-mate.
A REO SPECIAL…Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate (extreme right) watches his shot leave Aberdeen keeper Dimitar Mitov helpless in mid-air for Celtic’s second goal.
The referee had an unobstructed view of the incident, but chose to ignore it and the home side raced to the other end of the pitch after Milanovic released a pass to Adil Aochiche.
The French striker took a couple of touches before unleashing a mighty drive from 30 yards, but Kasper Schmeichel was alert to the danger and took off on a spectacular swoop to his left to push the ball away from danger.
Seven minutes after the turnaround, only a miraculous save from Mitov denied Daizen Maeda the opening goal.
James Forrest, looking sprightly on the right wing, delivered a superb pass into the box and the Japanese winger, practically on the penalty spot, took it on the bounce to thunder in a vicious effort.
The Bulgarian keeper, however, somehow managed to get up and touch the ball over the crossbar.
PICK IT OUT…a joyous Reo Hatate turns away as the ball bounces in the Aberdeen net after his wonder goal to seal the 2-0 win at Pittodrie.
But his countryman Hatate was not to be denied and he collected No.2 in the 66th minute with a raging drive from 18 yards that ripped high past the helpless Mitov to his left, walloped against the underside of the crossbar and ricocheted over the line.
It was a thing of beauty! Forrest and Nygren had been involved in the build-up on the right before the Swede picked out the midfield maestro and he provided the killer touch as he teed up the shot and then produced an unstoppable right-foot howitzer.
In the immediate aftermath of the goal, Rodgers sent on Auston Trusty and Shin Yamada for Tierney and Idah with Scales going to the No.3 position.
In the 78th minute, the Hoops introduced Arne Engels and Luke McCowan for Forrest and Hatate with Nygren drifting wide on the right.
Ten minutes later, it was the turn of Anthony Ralston to take over from Johnston as the Hoops saw out the remaining moments to clock up a worthy victory.
A quick word about Cameron Carter-Vickers. The centre-back was immense throughout and rarely – if ever – put a foot wrong during a commanding performance.
TEAM: Schmeichel; Johnston (sub: Ralston 88), Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney (sub: Trusty 67); Nygren, McGregor, Hatate (sub: McCowan 78); Forrest (sub: Engels 78), Idah (sub: Yamada 67), Maeda.
