THE Champions League draw remains the headline story of Celtic’s week but here was further proof that have no intention of neglecting their domestic chores. The scoreline may have ultimately flattered them a touch but the end result was again positive in Celtic’s favour. They have now won their first three Ladbrokes Premiership fixtures to open up a one-point gap at the top of table over a stuttering Rangers side who have played a game more. The teams meet in what the Parkhead stadium announcer called “the Glasgow derby” in a fortnight’s time.

Brendan Rodgers’ side again displayed their attacking prowess by running in four goals but, not for the first time this season, the victory was achieved in a slightly topsy-turvy manner. Celtic were thoroughly dominant for the first 30 minutes, conceded an equaliser, went back in front before half-time before allowing Aberdeen back into the contest midway through the second half. Only when they won then converted a penalty three minutes from time were Celtic assured of the victory, a fourth goal in the closing stages rubbing salt into Aberdeen wounds. Rodgers later cited tiredness, following their midweek trip to Israel, as a possible explanation for their second-half dip but also praised his players for having the desire to keep going.

“There was a bit of tiredness today with one or two players not getting into positions quick enough but overall I thought the team were outstanding,” said Rodgers. “When you think of all the exertion the players have put in, to score another two late goals when Aberdeen are trying to push really shows the mental and physical fitness of the players is terrific. I take my hat off to them.”

Aberdeen, who played out the closing stages with 10 men after Mark Reynolds was sent off for ushering Scott Sinclair to the ground for the penalty converted by the same player, felt aggrieved at leaving Glasgow with nothing to show for their efforts. Largely helpless in the first half as Celtic pass, pass, passed the ball around them, they benefited from Derek McInnes’ tactical tinkering to enjoy some sustained possession after the turn-around, even if they created little in the way of chances. Celtic’s speed on the break to win the penalty, and then a direct free kick low into the corner from the terrific Tom Rogic, confirmed this was not to be their day.

“At 1-1 and even at 2-1 down we were the team most likely to get the next goal,” said McInnes. “The players dragged themselves up and went toe to toe. Before the penalty was probably as comfortable as I have felt coming here.”

Rodgers’ sympathetic words about Craig Gordon following a difficult couple of weeks for the goalkeeper were not mirrored by his actions, the manager taking the bold decision to relegate the Scotland international to the bench. In his place came Dorus de Vries for his first appearance on Scottish soil since playing against Celtic for Dunfermline in the 2007 Scottish Cup final, Rodgers praising the Dutchman’s ability to “build control [of the game] from the back”. His was not the most eventful of debuts, although both he and his manager almost had egg on their faces late in the first half when this supposedly sure-footed stopper laced a pass straight to Kenny McLean on the edge of his box. A recovering tackle from Kolo Toure spared the new man’s blushes.

This was the final league game before the international break in which Leigh Griffiths, injury permitting, has made a cast-iron case to start for Scotland in their opening World Cup qualifier away to Malta. He extended his excellent form here by bagging the opening goal of the game after 13 minutes, his seventh of a stellar personal campaign. Collecting a pass from James Forrest, he nutmegged the unfortunate McLean with his right foot before thudding in a left-foot effort that clunked against the inside of the post before dropping into the net.

There was a poignancy about his celebrations, too, as he ran to the opposite end of the field to collect a T-shirt stashed behind de Vries’ goal upon which was written “RIP Kieran”, a tribute to a young Celtic fan who had sadly passed away the day before.

“Thankfully I scored in the 13th minute, the boy’s age,” said Griffiths. “It’s shame for the family. I met them before the game in reception, so thanks to the gaffer for allowing that to happen.”

Rodgers’ insistence on constructing play from the back contains an element of risk and midway through the first half Celtic paid the price. Forrest dallied in possession in a dangerous area allowing McLean to rob him and switch play to Niall McGinn. When the forward’s cross was only half cut-out by Toure, Adam Rooney reacted quickest to turn and send a shot across de Vries for an unlikely equaliser.

Forrest, though, would atone before half-time. Again it was a well-worked move, Nir Bitton feeding Rogic who slid a pass through to the winger. Similar to his goal against St Johnstone the previous week, Forrest elected to take the chance with the outside of his boot to curl his shot beyond Joe Lewis. Aberdeen pushed them harder after the break but Celtic again benefited from a late second wind. It is fast becoming a useful habit.