"BRING on the Celtic," chanted the travelling hordes as they watched Aberdeen put the finishing touches to a hard-earned win over a Thistle side who are still seeking their first victory of the campaign.

This result saw the Dons equal a 31-year club record by prevailing in their opening five matches of the campaign but they know it is on their results against the Parkhead team that they will be judged.

Little wonder, then, that the dust had barely settled on this game when thoughts and conversation turned to Aberdeen's next challenge which just happens to be the visit of the champions to Pittodrie a week on Saturday.

Ryan Jack, an increasingly impressive and influential captain, believes his side will be ready to meet the challenge after the international break.

"I think it's important that we keep the momentum going and it's nice to get five wins out of five - we're delighted with that," he said.

"The signs are that we believe in ourselves and we believe in each other as a team.

"Every game in this league is a test and you don't get an easy one as we saw today. The Celtic game will be another tough one and one which will excite the fans but it's important that we don't get ahead of ourselves.

"We realise we're on a good run and are playing well but there is always room for improvement."

Those of a Pittodrie persuasion need no reminder that Celtic won all four of last season's league encounters between the pair but Jack added: "We never did ourselves justice in these games so obviously we are looking to improve and hopefully that will start in the game at Pittodrie.

"It will be a tough one but we will try to meet the challenge head-on."

After a turgid opening half, supporters were awoken from their slumbers in dramatic fashion, the first fifteen minutes after the break containing more excitement than the previous forty-five.

It was Thistle, too, who brought the game to life when Sean Welsh fastened onto a knockdown and drew a superb fingertip save from the diving Danny Ward.

The resulting corner found Liam Lindsay deep in the Dons box to fire narrowly wide.

However, as home supporters perhaps began to sense a first win of the campaign, it was Aberdeen who displayed the killer instinct.

Their opener had a hint of good fortune as a stray shot from Kenny McLean found Adam Rooney lurking at the far post.

The striker may have been marginally offside and certainly used an arm to control the ball but he wasted no time in hooking home from a narrow angle while Thistle and their supporters vented their anger at referee Stephen Finnie and his assistant.

Partick had perhaps still not regained their composure when the Dons doubled their lead a few minutes later, McLean on hand to tap in the rebound after Tomas Cerny, at full stretch, could only parry David Goodwillie's angled shot.

Thistle refused to throw in the towel and Ward, the on-loan Liverpool goalkeeper, produced another fine save to deny Callum Booth and allow Aberdeen a little breathing space going into the closing stages.

Derek McInnes, the Aberdeen manager, was forthright enough to admit that his team perhaps enjoyed the rub of the green with their crucial opening goal.

"My first thought was that the ball spiralled off his foot and hit his hand. It obviously had a major impact.

"If it happened anywhere else on the pitch I'm not so sure there would be a big clamour for a free kick but I can understand why Thistle feel aggrieved."

As for that little date with Celtic, McInnes added: "I think we are better equipped as a squad to deal with the demands of the season.

"Celtic are a good side but Pittodrie will be rocking and I think we've got the squad who can go and get a result but the players have got to prove it."

Alan Archibald, an aggrieved Thistle manager, was in no doubt about the game's defining moment, saying: "It was a hand-ball and the referee had to give it.

"It was a pivotal point in the game and took the wind out of us. The whole stadium could see it but I never got an answer from the fourth official and nothing will happen - it will just go away.

"In fairness our reaction was great and we created some chances."

Mathias Pogba, still awaiting his first goal for the Jags, cut an equally disconsolate figure as his manager and said: "It is very frustrating and for me very disappointing.

"It was a handball for the first goal but the referee decides not to blow. Nothing is going our way but if we keep working it will change.

"We need points."

ends

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301011 GMT AUG 15