Celtic travelled to Pittodrie this afternoon for a tricky test against early Scottish Premiership pace-setters Aberdeen, who took maximum points from their first two games.
A tense first half saw both sides struggle to break the deadlock, but that changed just before the break as Jamie Langfield brought down Georgios Samaras inside the penalty area.
Celtic were awarded a spot kick which Kris Commons duly disptached, with Langfield sent off for his challenge.
The Bhoys made the most of their man advantage to seal all three points late on, courtesy of a deflected drive from James Forrest.
Look back at an efficient display from Neil Lennon's men with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Afternoon football fans. Another packed weekend of action across the continent begins in Scotland early this afternoon, with Celtic facing Aberdeen, a side who have flown out of the blocks so far this season.
The Bhoys have been busy chasing a return to the Champions League in the early weeks of the season. Couple that with a prestigious friendly against Liverpool in Dublin and Celtic have played just one league game so far, a 3-1 win at Ross County.
Aberdeen have been impressive in their first two games, attacking with pace and purpose to win both. The visit of defending champions Celtic to Pittodrie will provide a stern test of their credentials, but Dereck McInness must be quietly confident of springing a surprise this afternoon.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! Celtic had worries about Scott Brown, Efe Ambrose and Charlie Mulgrew ahead of today's clash, but all three have passed fitness checks to start. A full look at both teams will follow in just a few moments.
CELTIC: Forster, Matthews, Mouyokolo, Ambrose, Izaguirre, Kayal, Brown, Ledley, Mulgrew, Commons, Samaras
Aberdeen: Langfield, Shaughnessy, Anderson, Hector, Reynolds, Jack, Flood, Hayes, Pawlett, Zola, McGinn
Despite Tuesday's Champions League trip looming large Lennon has named a strong starting XI this afternoon, with Georgios Samaras leading the line a lone front role. Steven Mouyokolo gets a first start in central defence, with Brown, Mulgrew and Joe Ledley forming an experienced midfield pairing.
Aberdeen are unchanged from last week's rousing comeback win at Motherwell, with Barry Robson not fit to face his old club after knee surgery. Calvin Zola will partner Niall McGinn in attack, with former Hoops midfielder Willo Flood the creative linchpin.
Celtic have left duo James Forrest and Mikael Lustig on the bench this afternoon, citing fitness concerns following international duty. With around 20,000 expected at Pittodrie the Celtic team have no room for complacency today, against a Dons side full of confidence following a goal-laden start to the campaign.
You could forgive Lennon for bemoaning the fixture schedule today, with one of his side's toughest away games falling between international friendlies and a Champions League trip to Kazakhstan. Here's what the Hoops boss had to say just beofre kickoff.
He said: "I expect it to be as difficult a game as we could have had before going into Tuesday.
"They've got their tails up at the moment and they have a bit of flair in the team, good pace as well and a bit of spirit.
"I watched Aberdeen at Motherwell on Sunday and they were very impressive."
PREDICTION! With Brown clearly pumped up as he waits to lead Celtic out there is just for to put my neck on the line and pick winner in today's big game north of the border. Celtic are close to full strength and should have enough quality to emerge victorious, but expect Aberdeen to press from the outset and be aggressive. I'll go with Kris Commons to find the target in a 2-1 away win.
Just time for a pre-match huddle from the champions, it must be said that the atmosphere is absolutely terrific at Pittodrie. Celtic will get the match underway in just a few moments, shooting from left to right.
Aberdeen have settled into possession early on, with Flood and Zola showing neat touch in the first few minutes. It looks like Mulgrew has started in central defence alongside Mouyokolo for the visitors, with Ambrose playing just ahead in a holding midfield role.
Zola has set the tone for physical battle with Mouyokolo by using strength to win an early free kick on the far side, with McGinn's cross eventually cleared despite the efforts of Hector just beyod the penalty area. At the other end Matthews looks to find Brown with a quick pass inside, but the midfielder is crowded out by two covering defenders.
Superb forward play from Zola sees the striker drop deep to control, before finding Hayes in space out wide. A quick glance into the penalty sees McGinn bursting into the penalty area at pace, but a horrible miscue from Hayes sees his cross fly out for a goal kick. Early chance missed there for Aberdeen but some encouraging signs in their play so far.
Hayes quickly atones for that poor cross by robbing Samaras before driving into the final third. Samaras desperately chases the winger and slides in to bring him down outside the penalty area, conceding a free kick around 30 yards from goal. McGinn steps up to take the set piece, with his effort a real disappointment, flying high and wide of the target.
Celtic have finally settled on the ball, enjoying a sustained spell of possession in a patient build-up featuring Ambrose, Matthews and Ledley. Eventually Brown is shut down by Reynolds as he chases down a diagonal pass out wide, with a shot from Samaras blocked away on the follow-up.
The visitors have a major injury concerns as Ambrose looks to twist his ankle following a sliding challenge from Pawlett. The Nigerian has stayed down and needs treatment, forcing a break in play.
Thankfully for the visitors Ambrose is fine to continue, with Aberdeen winning a free kick when play resumes thanks to a rash challenge from Mouyokolo on McGinn. The tackles are flying in thick and fast now as Kayal brings down Pawlett in midfield, but the referee seems determined to produce a rash of early bookings and keeps his cards in his pocket for now.
Shaughnessy sends a speculative long ball forwards in search of McGinn, but the pass is well overhit and shielded out play by Mulgrew. Celtic's midfield diamond has got Brown pushed much further forward than usual, but the Hoops skipper is yet to make an impact in the final third.
Celtic are still looking for their first effort on target as Matthews has a drive from 20 yards blocked away by Reynolds. Commmons then gets some jeers from the home crowd after winning a free kick in central midfield, despite going down rather easily under a challenge from Jack.
Finally a moment of quality from Celtic in the final third, but still no strike at goal. Kayal found some space just outside the penalty area, electing to cut inside and send a teasing cross towards the far post. Commons is waiting to line up a volley but fails to make contact under pressure from Shaughnessy.
The home crowd are furious as the referee fails to spot a foul by Commons on Jack just outside the penalty area, instead awarding a corner to Celtic. A big roar soon follows though as Hector gets the corner cleared.
SAVE! Celtic pressure starting to mount now as Ledley gets the first shot on target. The midfielder exchanges passes with Brown inside the box before curling towards the far corner, but Langfield reads his intentions to clear with a smart stop.
Pawlett shows great desire to beat Mouyokolo and Matthews in a driving run out wide, but his final pass is woeful and skews wide for a goal kick. Wasted opportunity there for Aberdeen, who carry a threat on the counter with pace down both flanks.
YELLOW CARD! A rash lunge from McGinn sees the forward become the first player to be cautioned. In truth the Northern Ireland can have little complaint, his sliding challenge was reckless and unnecessary.
CHANCE! Celtic produce their best move of the match as Matthews finds Commons out wide. His chipped cross towards the back post finds a late run into the box from Brown, but at full stretch his toe poke towards goal is blocked to safety by Reynolds.
Izaguirre comes forward and gets involved in a one-two with Commons, who fails to make proper contact with a return that drifts well wide of the target. Brown is then very harshly judged to be offside after collecting a pass from Samaras, with replays clearly showing that the decision was a poor one.
YELLOW CARD! Referee Callum Murray pulls the play back for a foul against Matthews after initially playing the advantage. The full-back's late lunge on Pawlett was a touch cynical , giving the Dons a free kick at least 35 yards from goal.
PENALTY TO CELTIC, RED CARD! Aberdeen goalkeeper Langfield has been sent off after bringing down Samaras inside the area. The Greek striker raced onto a long pass before taking a heavy touch past the keeper. Langfield can have little complaints as he trudges to the touchline, with Nicky Weaver quickly hurried on in place of Zola to try and stop the spot kick.
GOAL! Aberdeen 0-1 Celtic (Commons)
Commons goes for power and smashes down the middle, beating Weaver with ease to break the deadlock. Aberdeen have been competitive but all their hard was has been undone by a lapse in concentration just before the break, with Pawlett forced to head behind and concede a corner in the second added minute.
HALF TIME Aberdeen 0-1 Celtic
Despite struggling to create chances for much of the opening period Celtic lead at the break, thanks to a sweetly-struck penalty from Commons just before the interval. Aberdeen have looked lively on the break but that red card in stoppage time leaves them facing an uphill task to keep their unbeaten start alive.
Celtic stayed patient for much of the first period, with Ledley producing the first shot on target late in the half. With time running out a long punt towards Samaras eventually unlocked the home defence, with Greek forward showing strength and awareness to win a penalty under pressure from Langfield.
Aberdeen will now be heavily reliant on McGinn and Pawlett to provide pace on the counter down both flanks, particularly without Zola to hold the ball up. With Brown, Ledley, Kayal and Ambrose all staying central in a diamond Celtic should be comfortable in possession when play resumes.
Lennon will be desperate for Celtic to put this match beyond doubt quickly with a man advantage, allowing the boss to make changes ahead of Tuesday's trip to Kazakhstan. Brown, Ambrose and Mulgrew were all slight doubts ahead of kickoff, so don't be surprised to see those three withdrawn in the second period.
We are back underway at a windy and drizzly Pittordie, with Aberdeen quick to attack as McGinn has a cross headed clear by Mouyokolo.
YELLOW CARD! Mulgrew is very fortune to escape with just a caution after lunging in with studs showing on Anderson. The midfielder had just overun the ball outside the penalty area but was reckless with a desperate lunge, leaving the Aberdeen players incensed as a booking is issued.
Samaras blasts over with a volley from 12 yards after Aberdeen failed to clear their lines, but the hosts are quick to burst forward at the other end through Hayes. His curling cross into the penalty area is met by a header from McGinn, but his effort stays central enough for Forster to parry clear. A golden chance for the Dons, either side of the goal and they are now level.
Mulgrew tries to curl one into the bottom corner from range with a disguised left-footed drive, with his shot just swirling wide of the bottom corner to Weaver's relief. Aberdeen look to be preparing a change on the far side, with Pawlett limping out wide I expect him to be the player withdrawn.
SUBSTITUTION: McInness has brought off Pawlett in favour of fresh legs in the final third, bringing on Josh Magennis to help McGinn in attack. When play resumes Celtic are quick to establish possession, with Samaras evading a balloon on the field to find Matthews.
Andersen's block denies Kayal's through ball towards Samaras, with Celtic settling for a corner that is quickly headed away by Shaughnessy. The hosts smash long in search of McGinn, but Mouyokolo is alive to the danger and heads back safely to Forster.
WIDE! Celtic come within inches of extending their advantage after a fluid break in the final third. Samaras picked out Brown with a precise pass, but the midfielder trickled a low shot just beyond the far post at full stretch. Aberdeen are pressed deep in their own half and starting to hang as on Weaver saves a strike from Ledley.
SUBSTITUTION: Celtic decide to give Matthews a rest midway through the second half, with Mikael Lustig replacing the youngster at full-back. The Swedish international was left out after feeling sore in training yesterday, but gets a chance to prove his fitness ahead of Tuesday's Champions League tie.
Izaguirre flashes a superb curling cross into the six-yard box, with Brown just unable to make contact after making positive late run towards the far post. At the other end McGinn nutmegs Ambrose with a clever piece of play, but his speculative pass towards Magennis trickles out for a goal kick.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Both sides decide to make a change, with Aberdeen first to swap Anderson for Gregg Wylde in an attacking final swap. Celtic want to bring on James Forrest, but a problem with the electronic board on the touchline has delayed that change.
Jack just retrieves from Commons as the winger looked to cut inside. At long last Celtic are able to make a double change, with Kayal and Ambrose replaced by Van Dijk and Forrest. Those changes have definitely been made with one eye on Tuesday's trip to Kazakhstan.
Forrest makes an instant impact, controlling out wide before beating Hector with a swift shimmy towards the touchline. Hector gets a yellow card for his troubles, with Lustig just denied by an interception from Weaver when the set piece comes in.
Celtic get a fright as McGinn finds space to flick on a Hayes cross inside the penalty area, but as Forster gets across to stop the flag goes up for offside. The Bhoys just need to guard against complaceny and keep posession better in the closing stages.
YELLOW CARD! Forrest gets a caution after flying into a sliding challenge on Wylde with studs up. A bad first touch saw the substitute lose possession, but despite an angry protest from the Aberdeen bench the referee deems a booking punishment enough.
GOAL! Aberdeen 0-2 Celtic
A touch of fortune has seen Celtic extend their advantage late on, with Forrest the rather fortunate goalscorer. The substitute used his pace to drive inside the penalty area on the counter, with his strike form a tight angle looping over Weaver thanks to a massive deflection from Reynolds. That should just about do it now for the visitors.
FULL TIME Aberdeen 0-2 Celtic
In the end an efficient, professional performance from the Bhoys makes it two wins in as many matches in the Scottish Premiership. Aberdeen pressed hard but were ultimately undone by one mistake before the break, which saw Jamie Langfield sent off for bringing down Georgios Samaras.
That just about does it for out coverage from Pittodrie this afternoon, as Celtic quickly turn their attention to Tuesday's Champions League qualifier in Kazakhstan. Be sure to stay in touch with Sports Mole for live coverage of the match and every other game that counts across Europe. Good afternoon!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
