Celtic move above Rangers into second place in the Scottish Premiership – and within five points of leaders Hearts – but were made to work hard for their win by determined hosts Aberdeen.
Substitute Benjamin Nygren scored the winner midway through the second half after Kieran Tierney’s early opener for the visitors had been cancelled out by Kevin Nisbet’s penalty.
Despite an improved and spirited Aberdeen performance, a fourth game without a victory leaves interim manager Peter Leven’s side 13 points behind Falkirk with their outside hopes of a top-six finish now extinguished.
Celtic avoided a second draw within four days after Sunday’s derby with Rangers to go eight unbeaten away from home and also stretch their unbeaten run against Aberdeen to an amazing 34 meetings.
Both sides were still feeling their way into the game when Celtic made the breakthrough from a corner after only five minutes.
Liam Scales then Tierney both lost their markers as the Republic of Ireland centre-half’s near-post overhead flick was poked home from within the six-yard box by the Scotland left-back.
A Tierney goal immediately after the break had hauled Celtic back into the game and towards an eventual draw away to city rivals Rangers, but this time they failed to build on a swift start.
The tenacious hosts worked their way back into the game and, after goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo was forced to turn a wayward Alexander Jensen cross over his own crossbar, the hosts were back level from the penalty spot.
Scales kicked the back of Toyosi Olusanya’s calf and strike partner Nisbet side-footed home his eighth goal of season.
That did sting Celtic into action, but Aberdeen survived wave after wave of attack before coming out with renewed energy after the break, Sinisalo saving superbly from a Nisbet header.
However, James Forrest and Nygren combined shortly after coming on as substitutes and the Swede prodded home the winger’s cross from 12 yards.
Cue a basketball-style finish with pressure at both ends, but it was Celtic who prevailed to enhance their chances of retaining the title.
