3 talking points as Celtic take final game in hand victory thanks to David Turnbull screamer
Turnbull #Turnbull
Celtic won their final game in hand as a fantastic David Turnbull strike closed the gap at the top to 15 points.
There can be little doubt that Rangers will go on to take the title but the defending champions avoided the ignominy of blowing their final make-up game.
Turnbull’s precision-guided first half strike was enough against an Aberdeen side that battled hard but provided little in the way of an attacking threat.
Neil Lennon made three changes to the side that beat St Johnstone, with Stephen Welsh coming in for Shane Duffy.
Ismaila Soro and Albian Ajeti also returned to the starting XI, with captain Scott Brown on the bench.
Aberdeen were looking to end a miserable run which had seen them fail to find the back of the net in five games, matching a club record.
Derek McInnes started with both Fraser Hornby and former Rangers striker Florian Kamberi up-front as the Dons looked to avoid an unwanted piece of history.
It was the Swiss who had the first half-chance of the game, firing straight at Scott Bain, but Celtic took the lead in short order.
Bain showed great awareness to move the ball quickly through the Aberdeen press – or what passed for one – to Callum McGregor, who in turn found Turnbull.
The midfielder unleashed a low drive from just outside the box that left Joe Lewis with no chance.
Turnbull fancied another as he convinced Ryan Christie to let him strike a free-kick from range, but his effort went high and wide.
Aberdeen were struggling to get out and were relieved to see a fizzed McGregor effort flash just past Lewis’ post.
The visitors wanted a penalty when Kamberi’s cross hit the hand of Welsh, but referee Alan Muir judged the defender’s hand with in a natural position.
Dean Campbell provided a flash of inspiration as he left Welsh for dead, but Hornby couldn’t turn in his low cross.
That seemed to galvanise the visitors, who came within inches of an equaliser.
Kamberi was given the space to shift one onto his right foot just outside the box and his snapshot cannoned off the post with Bain helpless.
Lewis had to produce a flying save on a trademark Odsonne Edouard curled finish as the sides went into the break level.
Aberdeen came out with a more aggressive attitude in the second half, pushing higher up the pitch and looking to press Celtic.
Hornby tried one from range but his left-footed shot was comfortable for Bain to handle.
Christie saw a delightful attempted chip drop onto the roof of the net having spotted Lewis off his line but the game had become scrappy.
Patryk Klimala had the chance to put some sheen on the scoreline but his effort was smothered by Joe Lewis.
3 talking points
Terrific Turnbull
If there’s one positive Celtic can take from what has been a disappointing season it’s the form of David Turnbull.
The midfielder was introduced slowly but has gone from strength to strength after earning his place in the team.
His long-range opener was as clean a strike as you’ll see and his ability to break the lines is something Celtic missed in the early part of the season.
The summer transfer business wasn’t the best, but Turnbull increasingly looks a bargain.
Docile Dons
It’s now six games in a row in which Aberdeen have failed to find the back of the net, a club record, and they threatened only sporadically here.
Florian Kamberi looked lively and hit the post in the first half but at the moment Derek McInnes’ side lack an identity.
In the first half they largely sat off, only to concede after the most ineffective attempt at pressing you’ll ever see.
After the break they threatened more with direct balls into the strikers, having attempted to build from the back in the first 45.
There are mitigating circumstances for McInnes – much as some Aberdeen fans are sick of hearing about them – but his team look disjointed and that unwanted record speaks to it.
Passing not the sweetest from Soro
Ismaila Soro’s energy has been a transformative factor for Celtic since breaking into the team but the Ivorian didn’t have his best night.
Returning to the starting XI for the first time in four games he was frequently slack in his passing, allowing Aberdeen to seize the ball in dangerous areas.
The midfielder is still just 22 and has shown enough to suggest he’ll be a big player going forward, but he was off it against Aberdeen and it was no surprise when Brown replaced him.