Celtic Triumph 3-0 Over Aberdeen as Duran Shines

Camilo Duran delivered another thunderbolt as Celtic swept aside Aberdeen 3-0 to maintain their flawless start to the William Hill Premiership season.

Benjamin Nygren and Yang Hyun-jun joined him on the scoresheet, the damage done long before half-time on a night when Celtic’s new star striker again stole the show.

Duran on fire

Six goals in five games. At this point, Martin O’Neill has a problem most managers would welcome: how on earth does he move Camilo Duran back to the wing when Kasper Hogh returns from a thigh injury?

The Colombian needed only 14 minutes to light up the evening. There was little hint of danger when he took Nygren’s pass, back to goal and seemingly boxed in. One touch, a shift, and then a vicious 20-yard drive that cannoned in off the bar. Minimal backlift, maximum violence. Another spectacular strike to add to the growing collection since his summer move from Qarabag.

Duran did not stop there. He repeatedly tested Marius Muller, forcing four first-half saves and lashing over from a bouncing ball after Yang’s cross had Aberdeen’s defence in pieces. Every time he picked up the ball, Celtic Park crackled.

A night with meaning

Before the football, there was a moment that cut through everything. Sir Kenny Dalglish walked onto the pitch to a warm ovation, the 75-year-old speaking of his gratitude to Jock Stein, Celtic and the supporters for launching his career. Having revealed earlier this year that he is receiving treatment for cancer, his presence carried real weight. The applause lingered.

When the game started, Celtic settled quickly. Callum McGregor returned from illness to anchor midfield, while Liam Scales filled in at left-back for the injured Kieran Tierney. They dictated possession from the off and, once Duran struck, never really loosened their grip.

Aberdeen did have moments. Ayoub Mouloua, making his first start, headed wide from a good opening, and Nesta Guinness-Walker saw a long-range effort held by Viljami Sinisalo. Those half-chances felt precious. They would soon look even more so.

Celtic kill it before the break

The second goal arrived on 34 minutes and underlined the difference in sharpness. Haissem Hassan’s cross ricocheted off Afeez Aremu and dropped loose at the edge of the box. Nygren reacted first, meeting it cleanly with his right foot. Muller got something on it but not enough; the ball squirmed in and Celtic had daylight.

Aberdeen’s best spell of the half came right before the third. Gavin Molloy met Alexander Briedl’s corner and thumped a header off the bar. A fraction lower and the game might have had a pulse again.

Instead, Celtic broke.

Duran gathered, lifted his head and slid a perfect pass into Yang’s path. The South Korean winger drove into the box and drilled a left-footed finish beyond Muller. From almost 2-1 to 3-0 in seconds. The contest, realistically, was done.

Stephen Robinson’s response at the interval was brutal and immediate. Four changes: Lewis Smith, Connor Ronan, Toyosi Olusanya and Mitchy Ntelo on; Aremu, Briedl, Kevin Nisbet and Mouloua off. It was damage limitation and a search for some pride.

New faces, same control

Aberdeen did at least compete better after the restart. Smith forced a decent save from Sinisalo, and the visitors finally managed to disrupt Celtic’s rhythm in midfield.

O’Neill, though, used the cushion to introduce two of the week’s arrivals. Danish midfielder Oliver Sorensen came on to get his first taste of Premiership tempo, while on-loan Chelsea forward Shim Mheuka was handed an early chance to impress.

Both nearly marked their cameos with goals. Mheuka showed strong centre-forward play to work space in the box and drew a sharp, one-handed stop from Muller. Sorensen arrived onto a first-time left-footed effort but dragged it well off target.

Celtic finished the game the way they had started it – on the front foot. Muller denied Scales, and then substitutes Mika Baur and James Forrest, as the home side pushed for a fourth without ever needing it.

The scoreline stayed at three. The statement was louder than that.

Celtic remain perfect, their new No 9 in all but name scoring like a man who has no intention of stepping aside. When Kasper Hogh is fit again, O’Neill will have a decision that could shape the entire season.