Celtic got their Premiership campaign off and running with a simple 2-0 victory over Aberdeen at Parkhead.
The Hoops unfurled their 2021/22 title-winning flag in front of a packed-out home support and it did not take long for them to turn the party atmosphere up a notch. Stephen Welsh headed in a fine effort three minutes into the game when left free in the Aberdeen box and it set the tone for a game of dominance.
One huge miss by Jonny Hayes aside, the Dons rarely threatened their hosts but they did hold firm and limit a scoring spree. Jota made sure it was job done though towards the end of the second half with an outstanding solo move that was wrapped up with a rocket into the top corner. Here are three things we learned from the match as Celtic now prepare for a trip to Ross County.
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Jota the key
On matchday one's evidence, Jota could be Ange Postecoglou's key man this season, that is how good he was.
Some of his touches with the ball were of a magic level nobody in his team or the opposition could get near. He's now scored every game he's played against the Dons but this was perhaps Jota's best.
Opening day dominance
If you pull out Celtic as your opening fixture for a league season, chances are you are staring down the barrel of an early defeat.
That played out again here and you need to go all the way back to a 4-3 Morton win all the way back in 1950 for their last loss on league matchday one.
Scales a miss?
Aberdeen were missing Celtic loanee Liam Scales for this one after his impressive start to life up north following a loan from Glasgow.
Jim Goodwin will be fuming with how cheaply they gave up their first goal and the home side were afforded chance after chance. They won't face quality like that every week, but Scales provides a level of calmness that was needed in this.
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