Celtic defeated Aberdeen 3-0 at Celtic Park on Tuesday evening as first-half goals from Camilo Duran, Benjamin Nygren and Yang Hyun-jun extended their perfect start to the Scottish Premiership season.
Manager Martin O'Neill recorded his fourth consecutive league victory at the start of the new campaign, with all three points secured before the half-time break on a foul night in Glasgow's east end. The comfortable win lifted the mood around the club following a disappointing defeat to LASK in European competition last week.
The result extends Celtic's perfect start to their Scottish Premiership title defence, while easing concerns ahead of their upcoming group campaign in the UEFA Europa League.
Aberdeen offered little resistance once Celtic took control of the match. The defeat leaves Stephen Robinson's side with just one victory from their opening league matches, a hard-fought win against Hearts on the opening day, following a weekend loss against Rangers.
Late transfer business and Parkhead return
The fixture took place on a tense evening as the 11pm European transfer deadline approached. Supporters inside Parkhead regularly checked their phones for news of incoming signings while looking toward the main stand for a first glimpse of new arrivals.
Celtic's board completed several late deals following criticism over summer recruitment. New additions Sam Johnstone, Oliver Sorensen and Shim Mheuka were all named on the substitutes' bench shortly after signing their contracts. Forward Landon Emenalo missed out on a place among the replacements after suffering a minor knock.
Midfielder Joel van den Berg also arrived at the stadium in his tracksuit following a transfer from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, although Celtic did not officially announce his signing prior to kick-off. Captain Callum McGregor returned to the starting lineup, helping cover for the absences of Kasper Hogh and Kieran Tierney.
Before kick-off, former Celtic and Scotland forward Sir Kenny Dalglish received a warm ovation from the crowd. Dalglish, who spent ten years playing at Celtic Park during a distinguished career, was welcomed back to the stadium as a guest of honour.
Duran opens the scoring for Celtic
Aberdeen created early pressure by winning consecutive corners, with defender Mats Knoester making his first appearance of the season as manager Stephen Robinson adopted a cautious tactical setup. However, Celtic broke the deadlock in the 14th minute through a striking effort from Camilo Duran.
Swedish midfielder Benjamin Nygren set up the opening goal by dropping his shoulder, driving forward through the middle and passing to Duran on the edge of the penalty area. Aberdeen defender Lewis Mayo stood his ground to block a potential run, but Duran shifted the ball onto his left foot and struck a powerful shot off the underside of the crossbar past goalkeeper Marius Muller.
The goal marked Duran's sixth strike of the season in all competitions. Having played primarily as a right winger in earlier matches, the Colombian forward has excelled since moving into a central attacking role to replace the absent Kasper Hogh. His six goals from open play match the total achieved by Kelechi Iheanacho throughout the entire previous season.
Duran had several opportunities to extend Celtic's lead before the break. He dragged a shot wide from a Yang cut-back, fired over the bar after a strike from Haissem Hassan was blocked by a defender, and later shot weakly into the arms of Muller when well positioned.
Nygren doubles the advantage
Aberdeen threatened briefly when Nesta Guinness-Walker delivered a cross from the left flank for Ayoub Mouloua, whose header directed just wide of the target. Guinness-Walker then tested Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo with an ambitious 25-yard half-volley that Sinisalo saved comfortably.
Celtic responded with a swift attack as Yang ran across the Aberdeen penalty area and set up Colby Donovan. The teenager struck a firm shot toward goal that looked destined for the net until it deflected off Nygren's hip.
Nygren scored Celtic's second goal in the 34th minute to claim his fifth goal of the season. Haissem Hassan created the opening by maneuvering past defenders on the right wing before delivering a dangerous cross into the box.
Aberdeen defender Afeez Aremu failed to clear the delivery with an outstretched leg, allowing the ball to bounce into the path of Nygren, who volleyed past Muller from close range.
Yang clinches victory before half-time
Aberdeen almost pulled a goal back late in the first half when Sinisalo failed to hold a corner kick, allowing Gavin Molloy to direct a header against the crossbar. However, Celtic immediately launched a counter-attack to score their third goal within 30 seconds of the incident.
Duran sprinted down the right channel on the transition and played a precise pass into the path of Yang Hyun-jun. The South Korean winger drove into the penalty area and finished calmly beneath the advancing Muller to make it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time.
Stephen Robinson made four substitutions at the half-time interval to alter Aberdeen's structure. The visitors displayed improved work rate in the second half, led by substitute Lewis Smith, but failed to test Sinisalo consistently.
Celtic controlled the tempo during the second period and introduced new signings Sorensen and Mheuka off the bench for their club debuts. Mheuka almost scored when Muller produced a fine save to stop his close-range effort, while Sorensen missed the target from a Seb Tounekti cross. Muller also tipped away a late strike from veteran winger James Forrest as Celtic closed out the victory.
