Celtic overcame Aberdeen to climb seven points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table last night (Wednesday), in what was a hard-fought but well earned three points.
Both sides fought against strong winds over the course of 90+4 minutes, and it took a moment of magic from the visitors' Reo Hatate to separate the sides come full-time.
In doing so, Greg Taylor showed expert vision to loft a ball over the Aberdeen backline before the Japanese midfielder showed great finesse to fire the ball across Ross Doohan and into the net.
🗣️ “Celtic have got what they wanted after all!” Reo Hatate breaks the deadlock at Pittodrie after some great control and a cool finish. Watch the closing stages NOW on Sky Sports ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/SZdWkuGOCc
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 4, 2024
Read more:
- Rating every Celtic player performance in 1-0 win away to Aberdeen
- Instant Analysis as Hatate puts Celtic seven points clear
Speaking to Celtic TV after the match, Hatate expressed delight in scoring the decisive goal, but underlined the importance of playing well for the team in that process.
The 27-year-old also hailed the travelling Celtic support, who belted out his name from the stands in the wake of the 78th-minute strike.
He said: "I'm happy to score the goal. It was a difficult game today because of the bad weather and [the fact that] it was an away game.
"Away games are always difficult for us, and the atmosphere is [against us]. It was important to win the game today.
"We tried to play the ball on the ground. The opposing team went long and we had to win the second ball [in the air]. I score goals for the team, but it's important to win the game.
"[The supporters] always sing my song – when I score goals and when I don't score goals, they're always singing songs, so I'm happy to be playing here."
