Celtic 4 - 2 Aberdeen

Aberdeen's recent excellent run meant they went into the game with confidence and the Dons started the game strongly. They took the lead after 5 minutes. Declan McManus, who is one of the league's top scorers, added to his tally when he headed home with a bullet header at the near post.

The Dons continued to dominate and minutes later they could have been two up when Dean Carse had a shot blocked.

Celtic eventually came back into the game and Twardzik hit the bar with a shot. The equaliser then came just before the quarter hour mark when Omar Bogle bundled the ball home from a corner after the Dons defence had failed to clear.

Celtic started putting pressure on the Dons rearguard and Scott Rumsby did well to head off the line. The Dons then thought they were back in front when McManus again found space in the box to head home, but the assistant referee raised his flag. A big moment in the game as five minutes later Aberdeen went behind. Celtic took a quick free kick and Paul George skipped through a number of Aberdeen players before chipping Lukasik. A fine finish.

Celtic continued to make chances and the third goal came on 36 minutes after more poor defending from the Dons. Aberdeen lost possession in midfield, and with everyone pushed forward the Hoops had three players on one. Twardzik broke down the left and fed Tony Watt who had the easiest of finishes.

In the second half Celtic threatened first with a low Twardzik free-kick forcing Lukasik into a good save, before a great turn by Stephen O'Neill deceived the Hoops defence but his shot drifted just wide of the left hand post.

Lukasik was still being kept busy, but was equal to the efforts of both Watt and Callum McGregor. However the fourth for Celtic came in the 58th minute; Lukasik got his hand to Bogle's header but couldn't keep it out.

Good passing play opened up the Dons defence to allow McGregor space, but he couldn't finish, and then the weary Dons were thankful for Irvine passing up a good opportunity in the 65th minute.

Credit to Aberdeen though as they never gave up and kept fighting to the end. O'Neill swung in a free-kick which found Jack Grimmer at the back post, and he was unlucky to be denied by a good block by the goalkeeper. Two minutes later and the Dons did pull one back. Ryan Fraser made a good run down the left, then picked out Cameron Smith with a great cross, and he headed the Dons second into the net.

They couldn't set up a grandstand finish though and Celtic held out to move to within one point of league leaders Hearts.

Aberdeen young squad should not be too downhearted after this defeat. There squad is much younger than that of Celtic's. Goalkeeper Przemyslaw Lukasik was the Dons top performer. He made some excellent stops as he continues his fine season.