CELTIC 1 ABERDEEN 0 (Sat, Sept 29, 2018)
SCOTT SINCLAIR showed marvellous improvisational skills to lead Celtic to a well-deserved triumph over the Dons at Parkhead.
The Englishman, who was introduced as a first-half substitute for the injured Odsonne Edouard, snatched the winner with a wonderful back-heel in the 63rd minute.
Before being clattered by Scott McKenna in a reckless and wayward challenge, Edouard, bought in the summer for a club record £10million from Paris Saint-Germain, displayed some fabulous skill in the 26th minute, but his curling 30-yard effort smacked against the crossbar with keeper Joe Lewis stranded.
The Frenchman was then helped off following an assault by the Pittodrie pivot that was missed by referee Bobby Madden, but later brought a two-game ban in retrospective action from the SFA disciplinary panel. The classy frontman was replaced by matchwinner Sinclair in the 42nd minute.
Derek McInnes’ side showed flashes of danger in breakaways, but the champions held out.
TEAM: Gordon; Lustig, Boyata, Hendry, Tierney; Brown, Ntcham (sub: Rogic 60); Forrest (sub: Morgan 77), McGregor, Edouard (sub: Sinclair 43); Griffiths.
*TOMORROW: Another key game on the way to title No.8.
