Yang Hyun-jun scored Celtic's third goal against AberdeenSNS

Yang Hyun-jun scored Celtic's third goal against Aberdeen

At a glance

  • Duran scores impressive long-range opener before Nygren adds second

  • Molloy hits bar for Aberdeen and Yang scores Celtic's third 26 seconds later

  • New signings Sorensen and Mheuka make Celtic debuts from bench

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Camilo Duran made it six goals in eight games for Celtic as Martin O'Neill's side continued their unbeaten start to their domestic campaign with a comfortable Scottish Premiership victory at home to Aberdeen.

After a nervy end to proceedings against Falkirk at the weekend, Celtic's three first half goals ensured they were well on their way to three points after 45 minutes against their abject visitors.

Duran got Celtic up and running with a wonderful strike from the edge of the box which cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net.

Haissem Hassan, who had been firing in crosses for most of the first half, skipped past Lewis Mayo and sent another delivery towards the back post.

Duran appeared to get a touch on the ball and help it on to the onrushing Benjamin Nygren, whose low shot bobbled into the back of the net.

Aberdeen finally had a chance to pull one back as Gavin Molloy smashed a header off the Celtic crossbar but, 26 seconds later, Celtic had a third.

The ball was cleared and the hosts raced up the other end before a perfectly weighted pass from Duran played in Yang Hyun-jun and the winger finished coolly into the bottom left corner of Marius Muller's goal.

Celtic remain top of the table with four wins from four while Aberdeen remain in the lower reaches of the division.

Celtic analysis: Has Duran become undroppable?

Camilo Duran statsSNS

When Celtic added both Duran and Kasper Hogh in the summer, there were plenty of questions as to how Martin O'Neill would utilise two strikers.

Both scored goals for fun at their respective clubs last season, including in the Champions League, and both prefer to play through the middle.

Since their arrivals, Hogh has been deployed centrally with Duran pushed out on the right but, in light of the former's injury, Duran has been used through the middle. And, boy, has he given O'Neill something to think about when Hogh returns.

That's now six goals in eight games for the Colombian who, alongside his goal on Wednesday, added another assist to his tally for eight goal involvements in seven competitive games.

Against Aberdeen, Duran had six shots, four on target and five inside the box, along with eight touches. He also generated an xG (expected goals) of 0.62.

Even if Hogh is fit for Saturday's trip to St Mirren, it feels like Duran has made a real claim to keep his spot up top.

Aberdeen analysis: Robinson's difficulties continue

Celtic v Aberdeen statsSNS

When asked about the make-up of his side before this game, Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson claimed "shape is for pundits" and suggested it is often "irrelevant".

The former St Mirren boss preferred to focus on having the ball and what they do with it, but the visitors managed to have very little of it.

They had just over 33% possession, won less than half of their duels and only 28 per cent of aerial duels. They had nine shots, Celtic had 27. They had 12 touches in the opposition box, Celtic had 40.

Robinson made four changes at half-time but the second period was much the same as the first - four shots, 35 per cent possession, and Aberdeen won just three of their 10 tackles.

They will need a much improved performance when fellow strugglers Kilmarnock visit at the weekend.

What they said

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill: "We played very well.

"We seemed to control the game for the most part and I thought the first goal was a big moment because the game was still in the balance. Overall I'm just delighted with the win, the goals we scored and pretty pleased with the display."

Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson: "It's been a tough few days.

"I thought we lacked belief in the first half, we were way too passive for the first goal and we got punished by how clinical Celtic were. We hit the crossbar at 2-0 which could change the game, they go up the other end and we make a mistake and the game is effectively over."

Player of the match

C. Durán
8.37
11 C. Durán
8.37
13 Yang Hyun-Jun
7.86
8 B. Nygren
7.62
23 Haissem Hassan
7.55
51 C. Donovan
7.54
21 A. Oxlade-Chamberlain
7.36
42 C. McGregor
7.34
20 C. Carter-Vickers
7.05
5 L. Scales
7.05
22 M. Baur
6.97
1 V. Sinisalo
6.95
6 A. Trusty
6.74
49 J. Forrest
6.73
29 S. Mheuka
6.69
18 O. Sørensen
6.48
17 S. Tounekti
6.07
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