Celtic moved into second place in the Scottish Premiership with a 2-0 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie, closing the gap on leaders Hearts to five points. Kieran Tierney opened the scoring early on, but Kevin Nisbet equalised from the penalty spot before Benjamin Nygren's second-half strike sealed the win.
Tierney volleyed home from Liam Scales' acrobatic hook of Luke McCowan's corner in the fifth minute, his 13th goal for Celtic and third at Pittodrie. Aberdeen levelled in the 19th minute when Scales fouled Toyosi Olusanya in the box, and Nisbet confidently converted the spot-kick.
Celtic dominated possession but struggled to break down a resilient Aberdeen side until the 67th minute. Substitute James Forrest crossed low for fellow substitute Benjamin Nygren, who steered the ball home. The goal was initially checked for offside but stood as Gavin Molloy's outstretched foot played Nygren onside.
The win was Celtic's first in three league games, putting them a point above Rangers and five behind Hearts. Manager Martin O'Neill made several changes from the team that drew with Rangers, with Reo Hatate, Sebastian Tounekti and Luke McCowan starting. Dane Murray dropped out during the warm-up, replaced by on-loan Brentford centre-back Benjamin Arthur for his first start.
Aberdeen, watched by managerial candidate Sandro Schwarz, have now gone six league games without a win. Interim manager Peter Leven made four changes, dropping captain Graeme Shinnie to the bench and handing a start to former Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong.
