Scottish PremiershipWednesday, December 4 2024Pittodrie, Aberdeen ABERDEEN…0 CELTIC…1(Hatate 78) Celtic overcame ferocious weather conditions and a determined Aberdeen side to claim a vital 1-0 victory at Pittodrie, with Reo Hatate’s composed finish in the second half securing the points. The wind and rain howled around Pittodrie as the teams emerged from the tunnel to the booming sound of Hell’s Bells by AC/DC, accompanied by fireworks and theatrics. The stormy conditions set the stage for a frenetic and unpredictable contest in the north-east of Scotland. The hosts were forced into an early scare just two minutes in when goalkeeper Ross Doohan clashed accidentally with Kyogo in the box. The former Celtic youth product, deputising for injured number one Dimitar Mitov, required lengthy treatment but was able to continue. Aberdeen carved out the first clear opportunity of the night in the 10th minute. Duk’s effort was saved well by Kasper Schmeichel, but the rebound fell invitingly to Kevin Nisbet. The former Hibs striker, however, failed to capitalise, firing wide under pressure, a chance he will feel he should have done better with. The wild weather began to wreak havoc on both teams’ attempts to control the game, with the wind making long passes and switches of play unpredictable. Celtic, looking to establish a foothold, created a half-chance in the 21st minute. Nicolas Kuhn found Callum McGregor in space, and the captain struck from distance, though his effort drifted harmlessly past Doohan’s post. Celtic’s best chance of the half came in the 42nd minute. Paulo Bernardo delivered a pinpoint corner that found Alistair Johnston at the back post, but his header was heroically blocked by Jamie McGrath. The ensuing corner from Bernardo went directly into the net, but referee Don Robertson ruled it out for a foul on Doohan by Daizen Maeda. The Hoops continued to press as the half drew to a close, and in stoppage time, Kyogo flicked on another Bernardo delivery, but Johnston was just unable to get a decisive touch.Celtic resumed their search for a breakthrough, but the conditions remained a formidable opponent. In the 55th minute, Nicolas Kuhn attempted an audacious lofted shot from the edge of the box, but his effort sailed just over Doohan’s crossbar. Aberdeen appealed for a penalty in the 57th minute when Duk got past Greg Taylor, who had replaced Valle at half-time, and went to ground in the box. However, the referee waved play on, deeming the forward to have lost control of the ball before falling. Brendan Rodgers made changes in the 65th minute, introducing Adam Idah and Luke McCowan for Kyogo and Bernardo in an attempt to spark the attack. The substitutes nearly made an instant impact five minutes later. McCowan’s clever play set up Idah inside the box, but the Irishman couldn’t get his shot away. The loose ball fell to Alistair Johnston, whose two shots were heroically blocked by Slobodan Rubezic and Graeme Shinnie, before Reo Hatate’s follow-up was palmed away by Doohan. Celtic continued to push, and in the 75th minute, McCowan again provided a moment of brilliance, checking back before delivering a pinpoint cross to Idah. The striker’s header looked destined for the net, but Doohan produced a stunning save to deny his former club once more. Aberdeen came close at the other end moments later when Auston Trusty lost possession. The ball fell to Jamie McGrath inside the box, but his dragged effort failed to test Schmeichel—a big let-off for the visitors. Celtic finally found the decisive moment in the 78th minute. Greg Taylor, involved heavily since his introduction, clipped a precise ball into the box. Reo Hatate controlled it expertly on his chest before calmly slotting past Doohan with his left foot, marking his fourth goal of the season and sending the traveling Hoops fans into raptures. Aberdeen had one final chance to salvage a point in the 85th minute. Sokler found himself with a clear sight of goal after a deflection off Trusty, but Carter-Vickers produced a heroic block to divert the shot over the bar, preserving Celtic’s clean sheet. The win extends Celtic’s lead at the top of the Premiership to seven points over their nearest challengers and 11 points clear of their city rivals. Brendan Rodgers’ men showed immense character and determination to overcome the difficult conditions and a stubborn Aberdeen side in a vital December fixture.
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