Aberdeen 1 – 3 Celtic

Brendan Rodgers made it two Scottish Premiership wins from two to increase Celtic’s unbeaten run at Pittodrie to 14 video games following a 3-1 victory over Aberdeen on Sunday.

Rodgers, who received 12 out of 13 video games in opposition to the Dons in his first spell as Celtic supervisor, named the identical beginning XI that beat Ross County 4-2 of their season opener – and his facet led inside 11 minutes when Liel Abada was readily available to transform Daizen Maeda’s header again throughout purpose.

Referee Kevin Clancy initially signalled for offside, however after a VAR evaluation the purpose stood. Aberdeen levelled in nice fashion, nevertheless, as Cameron Carter-Vickers misjudged the flight of an extended ball to permit Duk to cross for Bojan Miovski to fireplace low past Joe Hart (25).

A energetic opening interval was not completed there, as Celtic have been gifted the benefit as soon as extra following a mistake by Nicky Devlin as his header again to Kelle Roos was intercepted by the alert Kyogo Furuhashi earlier than ending in scientific vogue (29).

Aberdeen responded within the second half however, as Celtic retreated, they dealt the traditional sucker-punch to finish Dons hopes as substitute Hyun-Jun Yang confirmed good footwork to arrange Matt O’Riley for a easy end (84) to finish the competition.

Celtic a piece in progress underneath Rodgers

Rodgers began his first spell at Celtic by going 68 video games unbeaten domestically, and whereas replicating that feat is a tall order, he shall be very satisifed with how his second stint has began.

Aberdeen induced Celtic loads of issues in an enthralling first half with Graeme Shinnie harrying in midfield, huge participant Shayden Morris impressing on his first Pittodrie begin and the Dons’ entrance two posing a relentless risk in behind.

However Celtic loved way more management within the second half and O’Riley’s late purpose ensured they went again high of the cinch Premiership after two matches.

Celtic have been unchanged and Aberdeen introduced in Ryan Duncan for the absent Jonny Hayes earlier than the sport started following a minute’s applause for former Dons boss Craig Brown, within the first Pittodrie sport since his loss of life.

Miovski and Furuhashi have been simply huge from 22 yards at both finish in a energetic begin earlier than Celtic took the lead following O’Riley’s inswinging free-kick within the eleventh minute.

Daizen Maeda headed in direction of purpose and Abada was flagged offside after serving to the ball dwelling from shut vary, however the purpose was awarded by video assistant referee Andrew Dallas.

Aberdeen continued to press. Shinnie headed over after a well-worked set-piece earlier than the Dons captain received the ball within the centre circle to spark the transfer that led to a Twenty fifth-minute equaliser.

Jack McKenzie’s ball down the channel obtained Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes in behind Cameron Carter-Vickers and he lower the ball again for strike companion Miovski to knock dwelling from six yards after the striker had reacted faster than Maik Nawrocki.

The amount rose round Pittodrie, which was internet hosting a crowd of 18,652, however the dwelling followers have been silenced 4 minutes later.

Dwelling debutant Nicky Devlin didn’t spot Furuhashi as he tried to move a hopeful ball ahead again to his goalkeeper and the Japan striker lashed the bouncing ball excessive into the online from 18 yards.

Celtic had probabilities to increase their lead. Abada shot straight at Kelle Roos following good work from Maeda and the goalkeeper tipped over O’Riley’s free-kick.

Aberdeen completed the half strongly, although, and Dante Polvara twice got here shut.

Celtic made a double swap at half-time. Stephen Welsh got here on for Carter-Vickers for his first aggressive look in 10 months whereas Reo Hatate changed David Turnbull.

Furuhashi missed a great probability together with his left foot and Maeda was twice denied by interventions from Devlin after incisive counter-attacks, the primary by a wonderful goal-line clearance.

Hatate had helped Celtic get good management of possession from a deep midfield position however he hobbled off within the seventieth minute for Odin Thiago Holm to come back on.

Aberdeen loved good territory however they might not bother goalkeeper Joe Hart, with their solely actual probability within the second half coming when Leighton Clarkson curled simply huge following an extended ball.

Roos denied Maeda after the Japanese striker was performed clear by on the break however substitute Yang Hyun-jun rapidly lower the ball again for O’Riley to drill dwelling within the 84th minute.

Rodgers praises top-class perspective of gamers

Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers on Sky Sports activities:

“It was an excellent win for us. Barry has his staff very nicely arrange and it is tough to play in opposition to man-to-man and their direct fashion. I used to be dissatisfied with the purpose we conceded from a static goal-kick but it surely’s a tricky place to come back so I am happy. The boys stood as much as it and it is a actually good win for us.

“There is no doubt in regards to the perspective of the gamers, it is high class. It is at all times a great signal when you can begin nicely and end robust. The subs settled the sport nicely for us and made a very good contribution.

“There’s heaps to work on however there is a magnificence to the squad in that they need to study and get higher. Every day, they will get higher and higher.”

On changing defender Carl Starfelt, the Celtic supervisor added:

“Very shut, I believe within the subsequent week we’ll get that finished.”

Evaluation: Celtic should enhance defensively

Sky Sports activities’ Chris Sutton:

“It has been a great begin for Brendan Rodgers on his return. I nonetheless suppose that Celtic have a whole lot of work to do and Brendan can be the primary to confess that.

“Most essential factor is to get factors on the board and construct. Celtic had the probabilities and had a whole lot of alternatives. They’re very harmful going ahead however there may be definitely work to do defensively.”

Hart: We confirmed our character

Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart on Sky Sports activities:

“We have to offer a whole lot of respect to Aberdeen, I believed they pressed us rather well they usually made it tough. The pitch was dry, that is not an excuse it is a truth. We’re not as free-flowing as we need to be in the mean time. A brand new supervisor with clear concepts that we’re attempting to stick to and it is powerful. We’re working arduous each single day and we’ll get higher.

“I believe it reveals enormous character once we’re not at our silky finest, we’re nonetheless going to get an enormous end result away from dwelling.

“The supervisor’s made it clear he is right here for a very long time however you may’t simply are available and snap your fingers and play the best way somebody desires you to play after we had such a transparent approach for 2 years. It isn’t for a scarcity of attempting.”

Robson: We introduced pleasure

Aberdeen boss Barry Robson:

“It was clear to see that we actually went after them and we have been courageous.

“They are a actually good facet and we tried to ask questions of them and we tried, at occasions, to make the sport a bit like a basketball sport.

“It is a harmful sport to play however Celtic perhaps had that bit extra high quality ultimately. I believe you see that we have a younger, recent and vibrant staff that desires to carry out and produce a bit of pleasure.

“It was errors from us at the moment that value us. I do know we’re going a bit gungho at occasions and I do know we’re weak once they’ve obtained gamers like Maeda, Kyogo however the followers went with us at the moment as nicely.

“I believe that is pretty much as good an Aberdeen efficiency we have seen right here for a very long time in opposition to Celtic.”

What’s subsequent?

The eye now turns to the Scottish League Cup for either side with Aberdeen away to League One Stirling Albion on August 18 and Celtic away to Kilmarnock on August 20.

Celtic’s subsequent Scottish Premiership match is at dwelling to St Johnstone on August 26, kick-off 3pm.

Aberdeen are away to St Mirren on August 27.