STUNNING SAVE FROM GORDON! As Maddison sends a free-kick into the box, Sviatchenko sends a header towards his own goal by mistake, only to be saved by his goalkeeper, who tips over the crossbar to win the points for the Hoops!
90' +2
JUST OVER FROM MADDISON! Aberdeen heap massive pressure on the Celtic defence with a few crosses, the last of which is cleared by the excellent Sviatchenko. It falls to the Norwich loanee who goes for the first-time volley, but unfortunately for him the attempt flashes north of the crossbar! Agony for the Dons.
90'
A generous FIVE minutes of added time have been allocated by the referee here which catalyses some huge cheers from the Pittodrie faithful who see this as extra time to strive for this equaliser. Expect this to be attack versus defence for the remaining minutes as Celtic begin to sit back.
88'
Shinnie manages to get in behind the Celtic defence and bursts his way into the box before appearing to be tugged slightly by Simunovic. The Aberdeen captain stays on his feet and goes for the shot on goal which is eventually blocked, but if he originally went down he probably would have got a penalty kick!
86'
Frustration looks to be getting the better of some of the Aberdeen players here as they struggle to break down the Celtic defence. The main guilty party is Hayes, who whilst already on a yellow card, scythes down Gamboa a yard in from the right touchline only to escape another booking. His saving grace was perhaps that he got a tiny bit of the ball.
84'
Under 10 minutes remaining now and the flurry of substitutions combined with that altercation between the two groups of players in the middle of the park has interrupted the flow of proceedings. This is playing right into the hands of Celtic who will be quite happy for the scrappy formula to continue as long as it means Aberdeen are kept at bay.
82'
J. Stockley enters the game and replaces W. Burns.
Last throw of the dice from McInnes now as he makes his third and final change. Leaving the pitch is the ineffectual Wes Burns and he will be replaced up top by Jayden Stockley, who can certainly provide a bit more physical presence in the opposition box alongside Rooney.
80'
C. Gamboa enters the game and replaces M. Lustig.
That booking with be Lustig's last contribution to the play as he is replaced at right-back by Cristian Gamboa.
79'
S. Brown gets yellow.
M. Lustig gets yellow.
J. Hayes gets yellow.
Hayes is booked for pushing over Brown.
Brown is booked for his role in the incident.
Lustig sees yellow for catalysing the melee for a late challenge.
78'
The referee is forced to intervene as Brown fires the ball at an Aberdeen player who was down on the floor. Hayes and McLean take exception to this and run over to barge the Celtic captain over, resulting in a bit of a melee. Nothing too sinister involved, however.
Minute
Description
76'
Second alteration from Rodgers as James Forrest leaves the action to be replaced by Manchester City loanee, Patrick Roberts, who certainly has the ability to go ahead and get that elusive second goal for the Hoops. Indeed, he opened the scoring against Ross County on Wednesday with a goal in the first minute.
75'
P. Roberts enters the game and replaces J. Forrest.
74'
A nice little period of sustained possession in and around the Aberdeen penalty area from Celtic. The ball eventually makes its way to Dembele, who twists and turns inside the box before gaining a yard on the defender, allowing him to get the shot away. He nearly hits row Z with it, though.
72'
There is a bit of a lull in the match at the moment as both sides struggle to create in the final third. Celtic seem quite content to continue to pop the ball around at the back, though, and why would they attempt to stretch the game when they have the 1-0 lead intact?
70'
N. Bitton enters the game and replaces T. Rogić.
First change of the match from Brendan Rodgers as the solitary goalscorer, Tom Rogic, makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by Nir Bitton.
69'
Just over twenty minutes to go in this Scottish Premiership clash and Celtic continue to hold on to their slender one-goal advantage. Aberdeen are still in with a shout largely due to their goalkeeper, Lewis, but need to be more effective in the final third if they are to claw a goal back.
67'
Maddison stands over a free-kick down the left wing and steps up to whip a cracking cross to the front post. The unmarked Rooney flicks on dangerously into the six-yard box, but Sviatchenko is marking the area in front of Gordon which allows him to make the vital clearance out of the area. Very, very good defending there from the Dane.
65'
A WHISKER WIDE FROM FORREST! The Scotland international, who has been fairly quiet so far today, picks up the ball on the edge of the Aberdeen area and finds a yard of space to squeeze a curled attempt towards the top corner. He just can't get enough whip on it, though, which sees the Dons eventually given the goal-kick.
63'
Hayes displays an electric bit of pace on the left-hand side and manages to get the better of Simunovic to hit the byline and reverse a cross low into the area. Rooney strives to get on the end of it, but Sviatchenko is covering well for his defensive partner and steps in to make the smart interception.
61'
JUST WIDE FROM ROGIC! Celtic's best bet for a second goal looks to be the Australian again, who attempts to hit the back of the net with a drilled strike across goal aimed at the bottom left corner. Lewis struggles to get across to this one but is let off the hook as it flashes the wrong side of the post.
59'
Yes, you guessed it, ANOTHER save from Lewis! Rogic is almost taking the Aberdeen goalkeeper's performance personally here as he continues to pepper the goal with shots. The latest comes from around 25 yards out and bounces towards the corner, but alas Lewis is there to beat the attempt away.
57'
Lewis in between the sticks for Aberdeen is keeping the Dons in this contest at the moment. On this occasion, Dembele receives the ball to feet inside the box and turns sharply before drillng a low strike at goal, but the goalkeeper proves a formidable barrier again with a smart stop to the right.
55'
Lustig moves forward down the right and picks out an absolutely fantastic diagonal pass right in behind the opposition defence for Rogic, who subsequently goes for his second goal with a rasper on an attempt towards the near corner. Lewis is covering his angles well, though, and make the solid stop to thwart the Australian.
53'
A. Rooney enters the game and replaces R. Jack.
J. Maddison enters the game and replaces N. McGinn.
Indeed, McInnes makes not one but two changes less than ten minutes into the second period. The first sees James Maddison enter the action to replace Niall McGinn.
The second sees Ryan Jack replaced by Adam Rooney.
52'
Celtic once again looking pretty comfortable after the break and Derek McInness will certainly be looking behind him at the substitutes to see who can potentially make an impact from the bench. Rooney would be the most likely candidate to come on, having been left out of the starting XI for this one.
50'
Armstrong seems to have found a new signature bit of play these days as he manages to get beyond the Aberdeen defence with a powerful dribble before sending a teasing cross into the six-yard box. There are no takers for the Hoops though which allows O'Connor to make the clearance.
48'
FABULOUS SAVE FROM LEWIS! Sinclair, for the first time really, manages to get the better of Logan to twist and turn inside before curling a lovely strike at goal which looks destined to nestle right in the top corner. However, Celtic are thwarted by the Aberdeen goalkeeper, who somehow gets across goal to tip over the bar! An outstanding stop!
47'
G. Shinnie gets yellow.
An early booking for Shinnie in the second period as Celtic get the free-kick down the right wing.
46'
The second period is under way in this Premiership encounter.
45'
One minute of added time has been allocated by the referee and Aberdeen are running out of it to try and get an equaliser before the break. Derek McInnes can't be too hard on his players with the team talk, but they certainly need to be doing better in the second period!
43'
AN ABSOLUTE SITTER FROM ARMSTRONG! Izaguirre finds himself in an advanced position on the edge of the box and pops the ball wide to Rogic. The Australia international shows composure inside the area to lay the ball on a plate for his team-mate, but the subsequent strike on goal from the onrushing midfielder is fluffed horribly wide. He knows he should have scored!
41'
Aberdeen are starting to get some joy down that right-hand side. Logan, again, manages to hit the byline before standing a teasing cross to the back post which Considine meets with an awkward volley. It takes a deflection inside the six-yard box before going loose, but before someone can pounce Gordon dives down to claim.
39'
The Pittodrie faithful aren't having too much patience with the referee so far, seemingly thinking Celtic have had the more favourable decisions. McLean is the latest player to be penalised for the home side for a high boot on Sviatchenko inside the box, which is slightly harsh to be fair.
37'
Logan, Hayes, and McLean all link up down the right-hand side for the Dons and the cross is eventually floated ominously into the box. Considine rises above Lustig to get the header on goal, but the Swede just did enough to put his opponent off, which results in the attempt going north of the crossbar.
35'
Reynolds passes back to O'Connor who finds himself suddenly under massive pressure from the sprinting Dembele and Sinclair. The Aberdeen defender does really well to evade the attentions of the Celtic duo with a decent few touches before flighting a diagonal out wide to Logan. Good play.
33'
Just over 10 minutes to go in this first half and Celtic are looking good value for their 1-0 lead as we creep up to the break. The difference between the two sides has indeed been a moment of magic from Rogic, but the Hoops really haven't had their feathers ruffled at the back apart from that Sviatchenko block.
31'
The Hoops are looking really comfortable on the ball now as Aberdeen have toned down their pressing in the final third. Simunovic and Sviatchenko can regularly be found popping the ball around with ease to each other without any opponents closing down to meaningful degree.
29'
You have to feel slightly sorry for Burns as the Aberdeen central striker as he has received desperately little service from the areas in behind him. Hayes, usually a scourge of Celtic in recent years, has failed to get much change out of Izaguirre who is deputising for the injured Kieran Tierney.
27'
Aberdeen need to pick themselves up quickly and not allow complacency to creep in. Celtic will create a 10-point gap should they win this afternoon, so if the Dons have true aspirations of challenging for the title then they need to get something, anything, out of this encounter.
25'
Celtic are looking in the mood now after taking a little while to find their feet. Rogic in particular has gained plenty of confidence from that opening goal and continues to be a real danger to the Aberdeen defence, once again forcing the goalkeeper into action with a smart save.
23'
T. Rogić has scored a goal for Celtic!
GOOOOAAAAALLLL! GOOOAAAAALLLL FOR CELTIC! Logan sends a poor clearance to the edge of the box and Rogic collects with a lovely touch before sending a stunning half-volley into the left corner with the outside of his left foot. A quite sublime display of technique! One-nil.
21'
The referee hasn't been particularly consistent in terms of punishing players so far. Sviatchenko was booked early on for a poor challenge on Hayes, which was indeed a yellow, but has failed to penalise a few Aberdeen players for similar offence. Indeed, Hayes himself escapes punishment after basically Rugby tackling Armstrong right in front of the dugout.
19'
Celtic are beginning to turn up the heat on Aberdeen now. Dembele is becoming more prominent in the final third and this time takes on the opposition defence with a marauding run into the box, before finding Rogic who sees his strike on goal blocked by the covering Considine.
17'
Armstrong picks up the ball in the right channel and moves into a more central area before flashing a pass into the feet of Dembele. The Frenchman displays a superb bit of strength to shake off two or three challenges, but is unable to find that elusive yard of space to get the strike away which eventually forces him to pass back to Brown.
15'
Celtic don't look to be entirely at the races so far in terms of their pressing and link-up play, particularly in the final third. Forrest, Rogic, and Sinclair all pretty quiet from their position behind the centre-forward so far, but still lots of time left to impress.
13'
After a foul from Considine, Sinclair, Brown, and Rogic stand over a free-kick opportunity around 25 yards out. The former Aston Villa man is the player tasked with a strike on goal following a lay-off from his captain, but it is disappointingly slammed into the sturdy Aberdeen wall.
11'
As expected, it has been a high-tempo start to proceedings here at Pittodrie as Aberdeen look to take the game to the champions early on. Derek McInnes spoke before the match about using his pacey attack to cause some problems, and what they are doing at the moment is pressing the Hoops high up the park.
9'
Fantastic block from Sviatchenko! A cracking move from Aberdeen sees Logan eventually pick up possession down the right channel before clipping a low cross into the box. McGinn meets it with a perfectly connected half-volley, but the Celtic defender is positioned well to make the vital interception before Gordon is forced into a save.
7'
Stuart Armstrong once again finds himself in the starting XI for Celtic after an impressive appearance off the bench against Rangers and then a dominant performance in the middle of the park against Ross County on Wednesday. The former Dundee United man really has hit a good vein of form, and looks up for the contest today, too.
5'
A small break in play at the moment as Hayes is down clutching his face after an aerial altercation with Brown. The Celtic captain did have his arm raised slightly, but there was no malice in the challenge even if the winger took a sore one. He'll be okay to continue.
3'
Burns collects a loose ball down the right wing and ventures into space beyond Izaguirre before flashing a cracking cross to the front post. Gordon reads it well, though, and gets down to smother possession before Hayes can get a touch.
2'
E. Sviatchenko gets yellow.
A very early booking for Celtic here and it goes to Sviatchenko for cynically taking out Hayes in order to Halt a dangerous Aberdeen counter.
1'
We are under way at Pittodrie!
With such a busy schedule on the horizon for the Hoops, the former Liverpool boss made eight changes to his starting XI for the midweek match against Ross County on Wednesday. Despite the numerous alterations, Celtic would go on to defeat the Highland outfit 4-0 in Dingwall, with Patrick Roberts, Stuart Armstrong, Moussa Dembele, and Scott Sinclair all bagging a goal.
Brendan Rodgers' charges have been exemplary in domestic competitions so far, remaining unbeaten in the Premiership, with the only disappointments coming on the European stage in the Champions League. This Tuesday, they once again take on Bundesliga outfit, Borussia Monchengladbach, who professionally swept them aside with a 2-0 victory in the previous meeting two weeks ago at Celtic Park.
At the beginning of the season, the Hoops were seen as huge favourites to go on and claim the title once again as champions, and even at this relatively early period of the campaign just before November, they can open up a 10-point gap at the top of the table with a victory today.
Good morning football fans! Welcome to LIVE coverage of the Scottish Premiership clash between Aberdeen and Celtic from Pittodrie.
TEAM NEWS...
The Dons and Celtic have already faced each other this season in the Scottish Premiership. At the end of August, the Hoops ran out comfortable 4-1 winners at Celtic Park following goals from Leigh Griffiths, Tom Rogic, James Forrest, and Sinclair, with Adam Rooney gaining the small consolation for the away side.
Aberdeen have once again proved themselves to be Celtic's biggest challengers for the title this campaign, and sit in second place in the table seven points adrift of the Glasgow side. They will certainly need to get their act together for this fixture though as confidence will be low following a surprise 1-0 defeat versus Hamilton Accies on Tuesday.
The teams are making their way to the pitch and we are almost ready for kick-off!
Half-time at Pittodrie. Celtic are on course to create a 10-point gap at the top of the table as they go into the break with a narrow 1-0 advantage over Aberdeen, with Tom Rogic grabbing the only goal so far with a beauty from the edge of the box. Second period to come in what has been an entertaining encounter so far.
Full-time at Pittodrie. Celtic go 10 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a narrow 1-0 win over nearest title challengers, Aberdeen. The only goal of the match came from Tom Rogic in the first half, and it was one worthy of winning any football match! Thanks for joining us, see you next time.
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