Celtic down Dons at Pittodrie

A Scott McDonald double helped Celtic inflict Aberdeen's first defeat at Pittodrie in six months yesterday with a hard-fought 3-1 win to move four points clear in the race for the Scottish Premier League. The home side dominated large spells of the...

A Scott McDonald double helped Celtic inflict Aberdeen's first defeat at Pittodrie in six months yesterday with a hard-fought 3-1 win to move four points clear in the race for the Scottish Premier League.

The home side dominated large spells of the match and deservedly took a first-half lead when Chris Maguire headed home from a Charlie Mulgrew free-kick.

However, the Hoops hit back at the stroke of half-time through an Andrew Considine headed own goal before McDonald's second-half double gave Celtic the points.

It means Celtic will be top of the league going into this week's crunch Old Firm fixture at Ibrox top of the table no matter how Rangers fare against Hearts today.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said it was a game of contrasting halves.

"It was high energy and purposeful football from Aberdeen in the first-half. We had a few chances but we were a bit lax.

"We stuck at it and re-organised at half-time and it got better and better and we created a lot of good chances."

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