Celtic vs Aberdeen. Scottish Premiership.
Celtic ParkAttendance59,143.
Saturday 29 September 2018 18:00, UK
Scott Sinclair's stylish finish proved decisive as Celtic got back to winning ways in the Scottish Premiership with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen.
The winger, who came on for the injured Odsonne Edouard, had only scored twice in his previous 31 appearances but he back-heeled the winner in the 63rd minutes to earn the champions a first league win in three.
With 11 goals between them in the first six matches of the season, the top two teams from the past four seasons seemed unlikely to produce a high-scoring encounter but James Forrest came close early on from Mikael Lustig's cutback.
Aberdeen began posing a threat and Niall McGinn's first-time volley from 20 yards whistled just wide, before James Wilson spurned a headed chance.
Edouard swerved a shot against the post more than 20 yards at the other end and Dedryck Boyata headed just over from Lustig's cross.
The main talking point of the half came when Scott McKenna caught Edouard as the Frenchman ran into the box, the Aberdeen defender appeared to catch the forward on the leg. Referee Bobby Madden waved play on but though Edouard came back on after treatment, he was replaced by Sinclair shortly before the break.
Celtic might have been behind by then but Gordon pulled off an excellent stop from Mackay-Steven from eight yards after the former Hoops winger weaved his way past several home players.
Leigh Griffiths then rescued his side by clearing Wilson's header off the line following a corner.
Joe Lewis made a save early in the second half but Callum McGregor's long-range strike appeared to be going wide, and Aberdeen soon threatened again following good skill by Stevie May. Gordon was equal to Wilson's curling effort.
Celtic brought on Tom Rogic in search of some much-needed inspiration but it soon came from Sinclair. Shay Logan appeared to have averted the danger from Forrest's cross as he challenged Griffiths but Sinclair nipped in and flicked the ball past Lewis from six yards with his back to goal.
Griffiths had a free-kick saved and Aberdeen struggled to create clear-cut chances after losing Wilson to injury moments before the goal. But Celtic had one late scare when Michael Devlin hooked Mackay-Steven's free-kick just wide.
Griffiths missed a glorious chance deep into stoppage-time after appearing to haul back Devlin to reach a long ball but three points lifts Brendan Rodgers' side third, until Sunday at least.
