Tom Rogic scored the only goal of the game as Celtic won 1-0 at Pittodrie to go 10 points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the SPFL.
The Australian tamed the ball with his right foot 20 yards from goal then struck an outstanding half volley with his left foot beyond Dons keeper Joe Lewis.
For reasons best known to himself referee Steven McLean decided to play six minutes of stoppage time with the Dons pushing for an equaliser in a game that should have been done and dusted early in the second half.
Rogic had three chances within a 10 minute period to extend Celtic’s lead with the hoops carving out as many chances as they did against Sevco at Hampden and again struggling to convert in front of goal.
Kieran Tierney’s ankle ligament injury meant a return for Emilio Izaguirre who was expected to step down after coming into the side that won 4-0 at Ross County in midweek.
Stuart Armstrong was preferred to Nir Bitton in midfield where he partnered Scott Brown who put in another outstanding 90 minutes to ensure full points after a testing run of three matches in seven days.
See the goal and all the talking points and chances from @AberdeenFC v @celticfc in today’s early kick-off: https://t.co/k5FUpZ2t3A pic.twitter.com/owzEOKL54L
— Scottish Sun Sport (@scotsunsport) October 29, 2016
The match was erratically refereed throughout by McLean who booked Erik Sviatchenko in the first minute then allowed a string of Aberdeen fouls to go without any further punishment.
Eleven minutes from full-time Johny Hayes raced towards Brown, struck the Celtic skipper on the back of the head and escaped with just a yellow card.
Celtic are now 10 points clear of Aberdeen with a game in hand having played the Dons at home and away, next month the two clubs meet in the final of the Betfred Cup.