Substitute Lassad Nouioui scored his first goal for Celtic a minute after coming on as the Hoops got back to winning ways with a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie yesterday.
It is Celtic’s first win in four Scottish Premier League matches that moves them a point clear at the top of the table with a game in hand after Hibernian lost 3-1 to bottom of the league Dundee.
Chances were few and far between in an even first half with teenage striker Tony Watt heading against the post from a corner.
The Dons’ defence frustrated Celtic after the break but Lassad made the breakthrough in the 73rd minute when he reacted quickest to knock the rebound from Victor Wanyama’s shot home.
Former Aberdeen player Charlie Mulgrew netted against his former club three minutes later when he sent a half-volley past the keeper and Wanyama had a late effort ruled out for offside as Celtic ended the Dons unbeaten home record.
Neil Lennon, whose thoughts will now turn to Celtic’s Champions League match with Benfica, was delighted with the win.
“It’s a huge three points for us. We needed the goal to open the game up and we were comfortable after that,” the Celtic manager said.
“We looked a good team today and I’m grateful for the three points which sets us up nicely for Tuesday.”
Aberdeen manager Craig Brown thought his side showed Celtic too much respect.
“I don’t think we deserved to win the game but I think the score flattered Celtic. Although they had a lot of corners I don’t recall them creating many other chances,” he said.
“I think we might have managed to get a draw from the fixture. We lost the game because we didn’t keep the ball well enough. We gave Celtic too much respect.”
Premier League
Aberdeen 0 - Celtic 2
Dundee 3 - Hibernian 1
Hearts 1 - St Mirren 0
St Johnstone 1 - Ross County 1
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Celtic | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 24 | 12 | 25 |
| Hibernian | 14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 26 | 20 | 24 |
| Aberdeen | 14 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 19 | 14 | 21 |
| St Johnstone | 14 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 18 | 20 |
| Inverness | 13 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 26 | 21 | 19 |
| Kilmarnock | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 23 | 18 | 19 |
| Hearts | 14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 14 | 17 |
| Motherwell | 13 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 18 | 17 |
| Dundee Utd | 13 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 16 | 18 | 17 |
| Ross County | 14 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 16 | 20 | 16 |
| St Mirren | 14 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 17 | 27 | 12 |
| Dundee | 14 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 24 | 11 |
Premier League today
Inverness vs Motherwell - 13:45
Division One
Cowdenbeath 1 - Airdrie 1
Dumbarton 1 - Morton 5
Livingston 2 - Falkirk 1
Raith 1 - Dunfermline 3
Division Two
Albion 0 - East Fife 3
Alloa 2 - Brechin City 2
Arbroath 2 - Q’of the South 3
Ayr 2 - Stranraer 1
Forfar 3 - S’housemuir 2
Division Three
Berwick 3 - Annan 1
East Stirling 2 - Rangers 6
Montrose 1 - Queen’s Park 1
Peterhead 1 - Clyde 0
Stirling 1 - Elgin 4