Scottish Premiership
CelticCeltic1AberdeenAberdeen0

Celtic 1-0 Aberdeen: Sinclair backheel gives Celtic win over Dons

By Jonathan SutherlandBBC Scotland at Celtic Park
Scott Sinclair replaced the injured Odsonne Edouard in the first half and got the crucial goal
Scott Sinclair replaced the injured Odsonne Edouard in the first half and got the crucial goal

Scott Sinclair's brilliant backheel finish edged Celtic past Aberdeen to win for the first time in three Scottish Premiership games.

The victory moves the champions up to fourth, and keeps them six points behind leaders Hearts.

Odsonne Edouard hit a post from long range in the first period for the hosts before coming off with an injury.

And Aberdeen's Gary Mackay-Steven was brilliantly denied by Craig Gordon when clean through.

The Dons had further chances but failed to score for the second match in a row, and have found the net just twice in their past five games.

A game that failed to ignite

For the past four seasons, these have been the two best sides in the division, but both began the day in mid-table and - like their starts to the campaign - this game never truly ignited.

There were chances for both teams in the first half, but not the quantity from Celtic that we have become accustomed to under Brendan Rodgers.

Fresh from signing a new contract, James Forrest shot over early on but the next big opportunity came 20 minutes later, when Niall McGinn jabbbed a Mackay-Steven cross just wide.

Edouard hit a post for Celtic from 25 yards and there was a huge shout for a penalty when the young Frenchman went down under a challenge from Scott McKenna. But referee Bobby Madden said no, even if Edouard required treatment for a dead leg, and was replaced by Sinclair soon after.

Aberdeen then had two big chances. The first came from a great run from Mackay-Steven but his shot was diverted wide. Then, from the resulting corner, Andrew Considine's header was cleared off the line.

Both goalkeepers were forced to field long-distance efforts but the breakthrough soon came. Sinclair had his back to goal when the ball fell to him in the six-yard box, but improvised brilliantly to backheel into the net.

The goal put a spring in the Celtic step, and Joe Lewis had to thwart a Leigh Griffiths free-kick, but Aberdeen remained a threat.

Michael Devlin got a toe to a Mackay-Steven free-kick but it flew narrowly wide. It was a huge chance.

Gary Mackay-Steven
Gary Mackay-Steven was in lively mood against his former club

'Sinclair sparks into life'- analysis

Sinclair's first campaign was nothing short of sensational. His second was good. But this season he has looked a shadow of the player he once was.

So the roar that went up around Celtic Park when he found the back of the net with an audacious effort had more to it than just the celebration of an important goal.

At his best he can be a player the fans truly love. Celtic will he hoping this strike not only brings a spark back to Sinclair, but the whole team.

'I'm really proud of the players' - manager reaction

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "I'm really proud of the players today. We're not scoring lots of goals as of yet but what's important is that you win."

"It's another rival we've played and got a win, we're still searching for that instinct to score more goals and be more creative."

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "I thought it was harsh on us, we were very good in the game. It was a performance full of attitude and belief and personality that I want my team to have.

"The goal is scruffy, it pops up in the air from a deflection. Normally you can apportion some blame to your players in the build up but I can't really, you've got to applaud Scott Sinclair's backheel."

Line-ups

Celtic

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Gordon
  • 23Lustig
  • 4Hendry
  • 20Boyata
  • 63Tierney
  • 8Brown
  • 21NtchamSubstituted forRogicat 60'minutes
  • 49ForrestSubstituted forMorganat 77'minutes
  • 42McGregor
  • 22EdouardSubstituted forSinclairat 43'minutes
  • 9Griffiths

Substitutes

  • 11Sinclair
  • 12Gamboa
  • 16Morgan
  • 17Christie
  • 18Rogic
  • 27Mulumbu
  • 29Bain

Aberdeen

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1Lewis
  • 2Logan
  • 18Devlin
  • 5McKenna
  • 4Considine
  • 10McGinnSubstituted forAndersonat 84'minutes
  • 21Ball
  • 3Shinnie
  • 11Mackay-Steven
  • 17MaySubstituted forLoweat 71'minutes
  • 9WilsonSubstituted forCosgroveat 62'minutes

Substitutes

  • 7Forrester
  • 8Gleeson
  • 16Cosgrove
  • 20Cerny
  • 24Campbell
  • 25Anderson
  • 29Lowe
Referee:
Bobby Madden
Attendance:
59,143

Match Stats

Home TeamCelticAway TeamAberdeen
Possession
Home63%
Away37%
Shots
Home17
Away10
Shots on Target
Home3
Away3
Corners
Home3
Away3
Fouls
Home14
Away13

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Celtic 1, Aberdeen 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Celtic 1, Aberdeen 0.

  3. Post update

    Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from very close range is close, but misses to the right.

  4. Post update

    Lewis Morgan (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  5. Post update

    Foul by Max Lowe (Aberdeen).

  6. Post update

    Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).

  7. Post update

    Sam Cosgrove (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  8. Post update

    Attempt missed. Sam Cosgrove (Aberdeen) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right.

  9. Post update

    Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Mikael Lustig.

  10. Post update

    Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).

  11. Post update

    Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  12. Substitution

    Substitution, Aberdeen. Bruce Anderson replaces Niall McGinn.

  13. Post update

    Foul by Kieran Tierney (Celtic).

  14. Post update

    Niall McGinn (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  15. Post update

    Lewis Morgan (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  16. Post update

    Foul by Andrew Considine (Aberdeen).

  17. Post update

    Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  18. Post update

    Foul by Sam Cosgrove (Aberdeen).

  19. Post update

    Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top left corner.

  20. Substitution

    Substitution, Celtic. Lewis Morgan replaces James Forrest.

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