Celtic’s relentless pursuit of another Premiership title continued tonight at Celtic Park, as they demolished Aberdeen 5-1, putting them 16 points clear of Rangers at the top of the table. With the Bhoys’ form showing no signs of slowing down, the victory leaves them in a brilliant position at the top of the table, while Rangers face Kilmarnock tomorrow night at Rugby Park.
Maeda Steals the Show
The game started brightly for Celtic, with Daizen Maeda scoring. The Japanese forward’s opening goal in the 24th minute came after a deflected pass from Arne Engels fell kindly for him, allowing him to volley past Aberdeen’s goalkeeper Ross Doohan.
Just six minutes later, Celtic doubled their lead with Jota finishing off a quick counter-attack, after a neat pass from Arne Engels. The speed and precision of Celtic’s breakaways were on full display as they showed Aberdeen no mercy.
Maeda wasn’t done there, adding a second in the 92nd minute to complete a brilliant individual performance. His second goal, his 25th of the season, was the perfect way to cap off a dominant display, restoring Celtic’s four-goal advantage after Aberdeen briefly pulled one back in the 90th minute.
Callum McGregor Hits Milestone
Celtic captain Callum McGregor also joined the scoresheet with a superb finish in the 45th minute. A right-footed shot gave the Hoops their third goal before the break. It was McGregor’s 50th goal in the Premiership in his career, cementing his place as one of the most consistent performers in the league. His leadership and ability to step up in critical moments continue to be invaluable to Celtic’s success this season.
Super Sub Yang Hyun-Jun Seals the Victory
The second half saw even more attacking quality from Celtic, and it was super-sub Yang Hyun-Jun who added a fourth goal in the 72nd minute. The winger’s well-executed strike from a tight angle further emphasised his growing confidence, and his timely impact once again proved crucial for Celtic’s commanding win. With Celtic comfortably ahead, manager Brendan Rodgers made several substitutions, giving young talents like Jude Bonnar a chance to showcase their skills on Bonnar’s first-team debut.
A Strong Debut for Jude Bonnar
The night also marked a special moment for young Jude Bonnar, who made his first-team debut in the 80th minute. The 18-year-old midfielder was given the opportunity to showcase his talent, coming on to replace Arne Engels. It’s a big step for Bonnar, who has impressed in the youth ranks and will be eager to continue his development with the senior team.
Rangers Under Pressure
The Hoops will now wait to see how Rangers fare in tomorrow’s match against Kilmarnock. With Celtic now 16 points clear, the pressure is mounting on Barry Ferguson’s side to keep the title race respectable. However, Celtic’s relentless form makes it increasingly difficult to see how the Ibrox side can avoid the points gap extending before the end of the season.
As the Hoops continue to impress, fans will be hoping for more of the same at the SMISA Stadium against St Mirren on Saturday night.
