Monday 26 February 2018 07:12, UK
Celtic made it 10 straight wins over Aberdeen in all competitions after goals from Moussa Dembele and Kieran Tierney secured a hard-fought 2-0 triumph at Pittodrie.
Brendan Rodgers' side also reopened a nine-point lead over second-placed Rangers in the Scottish Premiership with the victory, Dembele setting on them their way with a simple header from James Forrest's cross (37).
Tierney then finished off a sweeping counter-attack to secure the three points with seven minutes remaining, despite Celtic being reduced to 10 men after Mikael Lustig was sent off for a second yellow card (76).
Sam Cosgrove had a debut to forget for the Dons as he was also shown a straight red card for a foul on Scott Brown just eight minutes after coming on (84) - and shortly after Celtic's second goal - as Aberdeen were once more frustrated by the defending champions.
Brendan Rodgers' side also reopened a nine-point lead over second-placed Rangers in the Scottish Premiership with the victory, Dembele setting on them their way with a simple header from James Forrest's cross (37).
Derek McInnes' Aberdeen side showed their opponents far too much respect as Scott Sinclair and Olivier Ntcham both hit the woodwork.
Sinclair's corner nearly caught out Dons 'keeper Freddie Woodman after 17 minutes, with the ball clipping the top of the bar, before Ntcham's right-foot strike from the edge of the box struck the base of the post after 35 minutes.
Aberdeen missed the presence of Ryan Christie and Graeme Shinnie and they fell behind in the 37th minute after Forrest outflanked Andrew Considine down the right and delivered the perfect cross for Dembele to head home from a yard out.
It was not until the 70th minute that Aberdeen came close to restoring parity as Kenny McLean was denied from point-blank range by Hoops 'keeper Dorus de Vries before Niall McGinn's shot was cleared off the line by Lustig.
But the Swedish full-back received his marching orders with 14 minutes remaining as a heavy touch resulted in him bringing down Gary Mackay-Steven to receive a second yellow card - although Aberdeen failed to capitalise and fell further behind in the 83rd minute.
With the hosts throwing men forward, Celtic substitute Odsonne Edouard released the energetic Tierney down the left and he flashed his shot in at Woodman's near post to settle the contest.
Cosgrove compounded Aberdeen's misery a minute later after a reckless challenge on Brown as the Dons' torrid run of form against Celtic continued.
Tierney showcased his abundance of energy and potential, running the length of the pitch to latch onto Edouard's pass to score before tearing back down the other end to celebrate with the away supporters.
The 20-year-old must wish he could play at Pittodrie more often after he added to his goal at Aberdeen during the 3-0 win in October.
Tierney provided his side with a constant outlet down the left, and his venomous strike - Celtic's 100th of the season - capped another impressive display.
Celtic return to domestic action in midweek as they host Dundee on Wednesday night in the Scottish Premiership. Aberdeen travel to Motherwell the same evening, live on Sky Sports Football.
