Celtic 2-0 Aberdeen

By Martin Conaghan

Vennegoor of Hesselink scored his fourth goal in four matches for Celtic

Celtic extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League table to four points with a win over Aberdeen.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink latched on to a Shunsuke Nakamura corner on the stroke of half time and stabbed home from six yards out for the opener.

Scott McDonald doubled Celtic's tally with a low drive past Jamie Langfield in the 55th minute.

Aberdeen struggled to establish any authority on the match, despite efforts from Charlie Mulgrew and Sone Aluko.

Jimmy Calderwood's side were keen to put pressure on third-placed Hearts in the race for a Europa League slot, while Gordon Strachan's men eyed a chance to extend their lead over Rangers at the top, albeit for just 24 hours.

Hinkel flighted in a curving cross in the fourth minute for Nakamura to rise above the Aberdeen defence, but the Japanese midfielder sent it wide of the post.

Less than five minutes later, Vennegoor of Hesselink turned on the edge of the box to fire in a low shot, but it lacked power and Aberdeen keeper Langfield held well.

The big Dutchman, filling in as captain for the injured Stephen McManus, picked up a long ball from Aiden McGeady inside the penalty area and should have done better with a low volley.

Derek Young replied at the other end with a neat flick at the near post after good work by Ricky Foster down the right, but Celtic keeper Artur Boruc managed to collect.

Gary MacDonald drove through the heart of the Celtic defence and blasted in a sure-footed effort, but Boruc blocked and Gary Caldwell headed out for a corner.

McDonald linked up with Vennegoor of Hesselink and McGeady as the half hour mark approached, but the Australian striker lofted his close-range shot over the bar.

Venegoor of Hesselink finally broke the deadlock two minutes from the interval when Nakamura flighted in a low corner for Glenn Loovens to flick on and the Dutchman poked home his fourth goal in four matches from six yards out.

Immediately after the re-start Aluko blasted a long-range effort over the bar as Aberdeen attempted to regain a foothold on the match.

The English striker fired in again moments later, but again it drifted over.

McDonald was denied by Langfield in the 55th minute, but responded 30 seconds later with a low drive from the close range after linking up with Hinkel and Vennegoor of Hesselink to drive past the Aberdeen keeper.

With an hour played, Aberdeen re-focused their efforts, but struggled to pin their hosts back, despite a flurry of free-kicks from Mulgrew.

With 10 minutes left to play, Aluko weaved his way past the Celtic defence to flick in a shot from the edge of the penalty area, but Boruc was never really in any trouble.

A late diving header by McDonald could have finished off the day in style for Celtic, but the ball was nodded wide for a corner and the hosts failed to capitalise on the advantage.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan:
"That's as good as we've played against Aberdeen for a long time.

"The way we were playing, I thought we could have got more, but they defended well and worked hard, but I was pleased with the variation of play in the team today.

"This game would have been perfect to show live. What you saw out there was magnificent football, Aberdeen having a go, players working hard, good systems, crowds, sunshine, perfect pitch.

"We don't show that. It's a complete nonsense what we have to do. Rangers and Celtic have to play away from home every week when you see them live on the telly.

"You don't see that with Manchester United and Liverpool."

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood:
"I'm disappointed in the way the team played, but all credit to Celtic, I thought they played really well.

"Their link up play up to the front made it very difficult for us.

"We were on the back for most of the game.

"Two-nil probably flattered us, as they had a lot of chances, especially in the first half.

"I was disappointed, because we've done well here in the past, but today, I thought we were second best most of the time."

Celtic : Boruc, Hinkel, Loovens, Caldwell, Naylor, Nakamura, Crosas (Hartley 83), Scott Brown, McGeady (Mizuno 85), McDonald (Maloney 90), Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Subs Not Used: Fox, Wilson, Misun, Ferry.

Booked : McDonald.

Goals : Vennegoor of Hesselink 43, McDonald 55.

Aberdeen : Langfield, Foster, Considine, Diamond (Vidal 67), Mulgrew, Jamie Smith (Wright 56), Severin, Young (Duff 33), McDonald, Aluko, Maguire.
Subs Not Used: Bossu, Mair, Stewart, Paton.

Att : 58,581

Ref : D McDonald