Reo Hatate struck a late winner as Celtic survived the Granite City gales to storm seven points clear at the top of the Premiership.
The midfielder pounced with just 13 minutes remaining at Pittodrie as the top two battled it out in wet and wild conditions with winds gusting up to 50mph. Celts were made to scrap it out as Jimmy Thelin‘s men pushed the Parkhead side all the way. But it was Hatate’s clinical moment of quality that was the difference as Brendan Rodgers‘ side stretched their lead at the summit and, whisper it, maybe even made them champions-elect.
Paulo Bernardo saw a goal direct from a corner kick ruled out for a foul on ex-Celtic keeper Ross Doohan – who made several smart stops after coming in for crocked Dimitar Mitov. But he couldn’t prevent the late breakthrough as the Celtic pressure told in the end on a pulsating night at packed Pittodrie. Doohan was lucky not to be crocked himself inside the opening three minutes. The keeper suffered a sore one after Kyogo’s knee caught him right in the chops, but he recovered to continue.
It was Aberdeen who started on the front foot though and Duk forced Kasper Schmeichel to block with his legs before Kevin Nisbet fired the rebound wide. The Dons were getting right in Celtic’s faces and refused to let them to settle, looking to sit deep and then pounce on the break.
Rodgers’ side dominated the ball in the first half but couldn’t quite find a cutting edge – with Alistair Johnston’s header blocked on the line by Jamie McGrath the closest they came. Paulo Bernardo stuck one in the net straight from a corner – but the goal was ruled out with Daizen Maeda muscling Doohan out of the way.
The Hoops threatened again after the break when Nicolas Kuhn cured just over from the edge of the box. And Doohan was forced into a smart save from Hatate with Dons defenders blocking a couple of digs first in a massive scramble in the box.
There was another cracking stop soon after from Idah’s header as Celts piled on the pressure. Leighton Clarkson dragged wide at the other end – but second later the Hoops made them pay.
Taylor picked out Hatate at the back post – where Nicky Devlin had played him onside – and the midfielder drilled low into the corner of the net. Aberdeen nearly hit back but Cameron Carter-Vicker’s got the slightest of touches to divert Ester Sokler’s blast from close range as Celts hung on for a crucial win.
Major leap in the league
Celtic now have major daylight between them and the rest at the top of the Premiership after this huge result. The three points here was more about character than anything else and it’s unlikely the will face many tougher challenges than this all season.
A point apiece would probably been more than acceptable for most. But Celtic refuse to settle for single points when they feel all three up for grabs. Even on nights when the conditions are honking and things are not going to plan, they somehow find a way to get it done.
It helps having quality like Adam Idah and Luke McCowan coming from the bench but it’s an attitude as well that is going to take some stopping this season. We’re still only in December but this felt like a major blow for the Dons and a massive step forward in the quest for four-in-a-row.
Celtic squad one out
Brendan Rodgers was given plenty of food for thought in the weekend win against Ross County when he rotated some of his squad. Four of the starters from the Staggies win were back out of the side and it was understandable with some.
But it did seem harsh on Luke McCowan dropping out. The midfielder was on the scoresheet and also provided three assists in the 5-0 rout, but was back on the bench here.
Paulo Bernardo kept his place in the middle but it was Reo Hatate who got the nod at Pittodrie. The Japan star proved to be the hero at the end as Bernardo who was replaced. But McCowan provided a spark from the bench though and this time it could keep him in the side.
Valle view
Borrowed Barcelona defender Alex Valle has had to be patient since his switch from Spain in the summer. Greg Taylor’s top form has kept him out of the side at times but in recent weeks it’s started to look like the left back role might be his to lose now.
Getting the nod for this cash was another sign and the youngster was keen to make an impression. He’s clearly spent time working on what is required to play the role in this Celtic team, pushing up and inside to become an extra midfielder at times.
But it wasn’t an easy night to impress and his yellow card before the break was a major worry that gave Taylor a chance to grab his jersey back. It’s going to be an interesting battle between the pair in the coming weeks and months.
Dons shouldn’t be down
It’s been a slightly bumpy last few weeks for Aberdeen – but only in the context of their remarkable start to the season. Draws against Hibs and Hearts never used to be disasters but Jimmy Thelin has raised the bar at Pittodrie.
The manager has also raised the performance levels. This was another huge test and they did as good a job against the Hoops as anyone has in a long time in Scotland.
It took a heck of a shift as well, with the likes of James McGarry coming and and busting a gut to keep Nicolas Kuhn quieter than usual. In the middle of the park, Graeme Shinnie and co knocked their pan in too and there’s just an impressive resilience about they Aberdeen team. The Red Army – who were superb here again – can see it too despite the late heartache.
Mitov out
Losing his no.1 for up to six weeks is a major blow to Jimmy Thelin given the solid start to the season by Dimitar Mitov. Stand-in keeper Ross Doohan couldn’t have picked a tougher game to come in to as well.
The horrendous conditions were a nightmare for a goalie, never mind the prospect of facing his former club who were bang in form. It looked like Doohan’s night was going to be over before it even got going when he got clattered in the opening few minutes.
But the younger shrugged it off and went on to have a fine game, dealing with whatever was thrown his way and the goal ruled out for the foul on him was about right. The Dons look to be in safe hands with Doohan.