Celtic extend lead

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The Dutchman broke the deadlock just before the break with a drive from close range following a Shunsuke Nakamura corner.

Scott McDonald's 18th goal of the season nine minutes into the second half sealed the win and piled pressure on the Ibrox men who play Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday.

Celtic should have got off the mark in the third minute when right-back Andreas Hinkel drove down the right and crossed into the six-yard box for the on-rushing Nakamura. But the Japan international, notably poor in the air, got his timing all wrong and headed wide.

In the 43rd minute Vennegoor of Hesselink opened the scoring as Nakamura's cross from the left was helped on by Glenn Loovens and the Dutchman was able to slam the ball in from around four yards out.

The Dons looked sharp immediately after the break, pushing forward with pace if little purpose on a couple of occasions.

Aberdeen appeared to be let off the hook by referee Dougie McDonald in the 53rd minute when Aiden McGeady's chip across the six-yard box was missed altogether by the swipes of Andrew Considine and Charlie Mulgrew with the ball then appearing to come off the hand of the latter.

That was the signal for the champions to reassert their superiority and a minute later McDonald doubled their lead with a well-worked goal.

The former Motherwell player worked a one-two with Vennegoor of Hesselink at the edge of the box before driving low past Jamie Langfield.

Tommy Wright replaced Jamie Smith immediately afterwards but there looked no way back for the Dons even though a couple of impressive dead-ball deliveries from Mulgrew soon afterwards had the Celtic defence under a bit of pressure.