CELTIC 3 ABERDEEN 0
CELTIC reigned in the relentless rain at Parkhead this evening as they notched up their fourth successive Premiership triumph.
Camilo Duran, Benjamin Nygren and Yang Hyun-jun were the first-half goalscorers as the hosts eased to three crucial points.
It was a thoroughly professional performance from the champions in their quest for their sixth crown in a row. They remain two points ahead of Saturday’s opponents St Mirren who beat Kilmarnock 1-0 at Rugby Park.
Scotland’s title kings are also four in front of Motherwell who overcame Dundee United 3-0 while Dundee are a further point adrift on seven following a 1-1 stalemate with St Johnstone. Also on seven points are Derek McInnes’ Ibrox side who win 2-1 at Falkirk.
Martin O’Neill took the opportunity to introduce two new recruits, midfielder Oliver Sorensen and striker Shim Mheuka, as second-half substitutes.
The hosts controlled the early moments of the game and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 14th minute – and once again it was Colombian crackshot Duran on target.
The ball was worked down the left before Benjamin Nygren took possession and darted inside towards the danger zone.
The Swede swept a pas to Duran 20 yards out and the lively raider didn’t hesitate as he jinked to his left to open the opportunity to have a go at goal.
Keeper Marius Muller had no chance as the ball exploded over his right shoulder into the net.
SMILES BETTER…Camilo Duran celebrates another goal in Paradise.
Duran, who netted two goals against Falkirk at the weekend, took a bow in front of his new admirers in the stands.
Four minutes later, Haissem Hassan missed a glorious chance to claim his first Hoops goal.
Yang, looking in the mood, raced down the left before whipping over an inviting cross. The ball eluded the grasp of the diving Muller and it looked as though the Egyptian World Cup winger was about to tap in at the far post.
Unfortunately, his timing was just out and the ball hit his heel and the chance was lost.
Then Duran – of all people! – passed up a gilt-edged opportunity when he was left one-on-one with Muller.
The fans were ready to acclaim a second goal, but the frontman elected for precision as opposed to power and the netminder read the situation and flopped on the ball to his right.
However, the goal was only delayed until the 34th minute when Nygren scored a typical opportunistic effort.
Hassan, tricky and dangerous, flighted over a cross from the right, Duran knocked it down to the prolific Swede who struck the ball first time from 12 yards and Muller was beaten low to his left-hand post.
SWEDE SENSATION…Benjamin Nygren on target again.
Celtic escaped in fading moments of the first-half when the Dons hit the woodwork – and the champions raced up the pitch to net a third.
Gavin Molloy was out of luck when he outjumped the Hoops defence at the far post to a right-wing corner-kick.
He sent in a soaring header that left Viljami Sinisalo rooted, but the ball smacked off the face of the crossbar. The Hoops broke immediately and Duran seized on a moment of hesitation in the visitors’ defence.
Yang broke into space in the Dons’ rearguard to collect the Columbian’s pass. He sized up the situation in an instant and then drilled the ball low past the stranded keeper at his right.
Comeback skipper Callum McGregor was strolling through the contest while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, given the nod by Martin O’Neill ahead of Mika Baur, was supplying some neat touches alongside him.
BLOND AMBITION…Yang Hyun-jun claimed the third goal.
Possibly understandably, the pace dropped off after the interval and Sinisalo had to look smart to collect a low drive from Lewis Smith that skipped up off the turf in front of him in the 56th minute.
In the 63rd minute, new Bhoy Sorensen was introduced to the Hoops fans for his debut as he took over from Nygren. At the same time, Baur replaced Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Referee Duncan Nicholson contrived to infuriate the home support on a couple of occasions when he blew to halt play to award Celtic free-kicks with the home side in possession and breaking away.
Another new recruit, Chelsea’s teen striker Mheuka, made his first appearance as he came on for Duran while evergreen James Forrest replaced Yang in the 74th minute.
Two minutes later, Sebastian Tounekti was brought on for Hassan.
Mheuka was denied a debut goal when the 18-year-old’s low drive was pushed away by the diving Muller.
The German shotstopper also foiled Forrest with a high-flying save to push away a swerving 18-yard drive from Forrest.
At the end of a soggy evening in the east end of Glasgow, it was job done by the champions.
Now all eyes are on Paisley for Saturday night’s encounter with St. Mirren.
TEAM: Sinisalo; Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Scales; Nygren (sub: Sorensen 64), McGregor, Oxlade-Chamberlain (sub: Baur 63); Hassan (sub: Tounekti 76), Duran, (sub: Mheuka 74), Yang (sub: Forrest 74).
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