Aberdeen 0-1 Celtic: Reo Hatate’s late purpose sends Hoops seven clear in Premiership title race

Reo Hatate was Celtic’s hero as he struck late to finish Aberdeen’s successful run at Pittodrie and transfer the champions seven clear within the Premiership title race with a 1-0 win.

There was no splitting the edges for 78 minutes however the Japan worldwide broke the impasse in type in what might be a pivotal consequence for the Hoops.

Paulo Bernardo despatched a wind-assisted nook crusing straight into the far nook of the online within the first half, nevertheless it was disallowed for a foul on Dons goalkeeper Ross Doohan.

Celtic dominated after the break, however some heroic defending and good goalkeeping noticed Alistair Johnston and Adam Idah denied because the guests have been repelled again and again by heroic Aberdeen defending, led by Slobodan Rubezic.

However a superb cross excessive from Greg Taylor discovered Hatate late on and he fired a shot into the underside nook to maneuver Celtic seven factors away from their closest challengers with a recreation in hand.

Celtic beat situations to assert very important victory

The sport was performed in heavy rain and wind speeds of near 50 miles per hour, so the standard of soccer suffered within the first half, however each groups had respectable possibilities because the second half progressed.

The Dons had matched Celtic for the primary 11 video games of the league marketing campaign with each groups’ solely slip-up coming in a 2-2 draw at Parkhead.

However Jimmy Thelin’s aspect had picked up simply two factors from three consecutive away video games prior to now dropping their 14-match successful run at Pittodrie.

Alex Valle was given some troublesome moments by Duk early on and the vast participant compelled a save off Kasper Schmeichel’s legs earlier than Kevin Nisbet dragged the rebound vast.

Duk additionally had a free-kick saved in a primary half of few clear-cut possibilities. Celtic struggled to get Nicolas Kuhn on the ball and solely critically threatened within the closing levels of the half, via a collection of Bernardo corners.

One flew straight into the online however Daizen Maeda was penalised for impeding Doohan on the road with referee Don Robertson deciding the Japan worldwide had backed into the goalkeeper.

Valle had been fighting a knock and Taylor changed the on-loan Barcelona left-back at half-time.

Kuhn almost lit up a scrappy begin to the second interval however curled simply excessive nook following one other Bernardo nook.

Duk and Sivert Heltne Nilsen threatened for the house aspect earlier than the introduction of Luke McCowan and Idah gave Celtic an added edge.

The pair have been concerned in a transfer which led to Doohan’s first save, a formidable diving cease from Hatate after the Dons’ defence had made a collection of blocks.

McCowan then arrange Idah with a curling cross however Doohan made an excellent cease from the Irishman’s header.

Three of Aberdeen’s substitutes have been then concerned in a transfer which ended with Leighton Clarkson squandering a very good probability from 18 yards.

Taylor drifted inside moments later earlier than choosing out Hatate with an beautiful cross and right-back Nicky Devlin performed the midfielder onside earlier than watching him slot dwelling.

Ester Sokler had a very good probability to stage quickly after however Auston Trusty managed to divert the substitute’s shot over the bar from 10 yards.

‘An incredible reward’

Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers talking to Sky Sports activities:

“I thought we deserved to win the game. It was a horrible night for football, but we tried to play in the conditions.

“We find yourself getting a incredible workforce purpose, a fantastic cross by Greg Taylor coming in that inside place and a beautiful end by Reo.

“I thought both sets of players gave their all, gave everything to the game.

“I am so glad for our supporters as a result of to journey all the best way up right here, to be caught in that nook the place the wind and the whole lot is coming in at them and to see the workforce win is a superb reward for his or her effort to get right here. An incredible reward for the gamers too as a result of they provide completely the whole lot to the sport.

“We’ve played some brilliant football this season, scored a lot of goals. It was going to be tough for a number of reasons, but what’s important is getting through in the end.

“It is solely 14 video games, so we’re simply over perhaps a 3rd of the season however at this level of the season to go what might be seven factors away from Aberdeen and a recreation in hand could be very pleasing.”

‘We tried all the best way’

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin on Sky Sports activities:

“Intense game. Of course, Celtic has the ball more, but thinking about the chances, maybe a draw would have been a fair result.

“We had some good possibilities ultimately and I feel it was a tremendous block within the final probability for Ester [Sokler].

“We know Celtic are good with the ball but we had good discipline in our team. The effort they made, how Ross acted in the goal, it was good to see.

“The followers, even due to the climate, they stayed with us and pushed us to those final alternatives. We tried all the best way and generally that is soccer you do not get the consequence you need.”

Lennon: Celtic confirmed their mentality

Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon on Sky Sports activities:

“The elements played a huge part in the outcome of the game.

“I assumed they [Celtic] managed the second half very well. I did assume they deserved to win the sport, though it wasn’t a plethora of possibilities.

“They showed their mentality and a clean sheet is really important. It’s just all about momentum at the minute, seven clear with the game in hand, it’s a really healthy position to be in.

“The subs made, once more, a extremely optimistic affect on the sport, whether or not it’s Taylor, Idah, Forrest or McCowan. I used to be actually impressed with the substitutions that got here on and the recent impetus to Celtic within the latter half of the second half.”

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