Celtic 4 - 0 Aberdeen

match report |

Lewis Hutchison made his first league start of the season after a dozen outings from the bench while Sam Robertson, Jamie Henry and Chris Antoniazzi all returned to the starting eleven.

The opening skirmishes were evenly contested with both sides pressing the ball early. Good work from Bruce Anderson saw him win the ball from Kerr midway into the Celtic half but Lewis Hutchison wasn?t able to direct his shot on target.

An error in midfield gave the ball to Johnston and Craddock did well to beat away his powerful strike from twenty five yards. An excellent free kick from the left from Toby Wells found Seb Ross in the box but the midfielder couldn?t get enough on his header to direct it on goal.

Great pressing from Jamie Henry saw him win the ball deep in Celtic territory before slipping the ball to Anderson but the striker?s shot was dragged wide.

The Dons were made to pay for that miss om 19 minutes when Johnston broke free down the right to cross into the middle for Calvin Miller to slot the ball past Craddock from five yards.

A driving run from Seb Ross down the inside left channel saw the Dons win their first corner on 25 minutes but Wells? flag kick was easily cleared. At this point the only difference between the sides was that Celtic had taken their one chance while the Dons had failed to work keeper Hazard when they got into the home box.

Miller saw a long range effort deflected wide but Craddock clutched Hendry?s corner confidently. Celtic were enjoying the bulk of possession and doubled their advantage on 36 minutes when Miller notched his second of the game ? a twenty yard left footed strike which took a nick of a Dons defender before beating Craddock at his right post.

After a quickly taken free kick Archibald had a dip from very long range but only succeeded in finding Sinclair Street with his shot.

The half time whistle went with Celtic in control as for the second successive game the Dons found themselves two goals in arrears at the interval.

Half time Celtic 2 Aberdeen 0

Dean Campbell was the first booking of the game after a clumsy challenge on Johnston in the 51st minute. Celtic continued to enjoy the lion?s share of the ball and Wells did well to nick the ball off Johnston as the winger prepared to shoot after a dazzling run into the box.

The Dons made their first change in 56 minutes as Joe MacPherson took over at right back from Sam Robertson. The sub hadn?t even touched the ball when the home side went three up ? Miller notching his hat trick with a fine left foot finish from eight yards.

The Dons tried to get back into the game as Hutchison broke down the right but the Hoops defence snuffed out the danger. Anderson then fired wide from six yards before Calvin Miller came off to be replaced by Broque Watson.

Following a corner the ball broke to Hutchison whose snapshot from close range was deflected wide. Celtic raced up to the other end and were inches away from a fourth goal as Hendry?s twenty five yard shot crashed off the bar with Craddock beaten.

The home side made their second change on 68 minutes when Hill was replaced by Bell. Shortly afterwards Ralston came off with Bowers taking his place.

Jamie Henry fired wide after strong lead up play from Seb Ross but the Dons were struggling to have any impact as an attacking force.

On 76 minutes Hutchison and Antoniazzi made way for Dangana and Ethan Ross. Celtic went four up two minutes later when Kerr forced the ball home after Craddock had parried a header following a corner.

Theo Archibald was lucky to escape with only a caution with five minutes left after kicking out at Bruce Anderson. It could very easily have been deemed a red card offence.

Aberdeen continued to press for a consolation goal as the seconds ticked away but it was not to be as a slick Celtic side comfortably saw the game out.

It is one of the few occasions Celtic have beaten Aberdeen in the Development League in recent seasons.