Celtic finally gave manager Wilfried Nancy his first win in charge with a hard-fought 3-1 triumph over Aberdeen at Celtic Park, though the hosts endured nervy moments against their reduced opponents.
Match Highlights
- Benjamin Nygren opened the scoring for Celtic in the 39th minute
- Aberdeen's Dylan Lobban received a red card just before halftime
- Kenan Bilalovic stunned Celtic with a 74th-minute equalizer
- Kieran Tierney and James Forrest netted late goals (88', 90+2') to seal the win
The victory eases pressure on Nancy, who had suffered four consecutive defeats since taking charge. Celtic now sit six points behind league leaders Hearts with a game in hand.
Key Moments
Celtic dominated proceedings but struggled to convert chances, racking up an astonishing 4.53 expected goals. Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov produced several fine saves before Lobban's dismissal for hauling down Daizen Maeda.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Aberdeen shocked the home crowd when substitute Bilalovic capitalized on a counter-attack. However, Celtic's persistence paid off as Tierney and Forrest struck late to ensure all three points.
"This is only the beginning," Nancy told Sky Sports. "The players showed great resilience today after hitting the woodwork five times. We have much to improve, but this win matters."
Broader Context
The match unfolded against a backdrop of fan unrest, with thousands protesting against the Celtic board before kickoff. The result provides temporary relief following chairman Peter Lawwell's announcement of his impending departure.
James Forrest made history by scoring in his 17th consecutive season for Celtic, while Aberdeen's six-game unbeaten league run came to an end.
Celtic will look to build on this result when they face St Mirren next weekend, while Aberdeen host Ross County.
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