Aberdeen 1 Celtic 3:There used to be a keen and mutual admiration between Gordon Strachan and the Aberdeen supporters during the Celtic manager's highly successful time as a player there in the 1980s. Such sentiment has eroded over the years, though, and Strachan became embroiled in a war of words with fans - and a steward - in the Pittodrie main stand yesterday immediately after Kenny Miller scored Celtic's second goal and was sent from the dugout by referee Charlie Richmond.
Strachan faces a potentially lengthy touchline ban, with his appeal over a punishment from last season still pending, but this incident seemed to be sparked by his assistant, Garry Pendrey.
"People think they can turn up and shout the most horrible personal abuse at others a few feet away from them," said the Celtic coach, Tommy Burns, whose team recovered from Craig Brewster's early goal to record a timely win at a traditionally troublesome venue and prolong Aberdeen's winless start to the season.
Strachan did not comment on the row but Burns said: "Shame on them (the fans) for going running to the police when someone gives them a wink or wave in reply."
Rangers' 7-2 demolition of Falkirk on Saturday served as the latest indication the Ibrox team will put up a more meaningful challenge for the title than they have done in the past two seasons.
Celtic, perhaps jaded after Wednesday's Champions League match away to Spartak Moscow, were lethargic for long spells. Aiden McGeady felt he had been fouled in the lead-up to Brewster's goal but he was simply outmuscled in midfield, with Barry Nicholson cutting the ball back for the veteran striker to score from six yards.
Scott McDonald should have equalised within seconds but the Australian headed wide when it seemed easier to score. Celtic came to life after an hour, with devastating effect. Shunsuke Nakamura had already crashed a 25-yard free-kick against the Aberdeen bar by the time Massimo Donati scored his first goal since moving from Milan in the close season; the Italian created space for himself in the penalty area and curled the ball beyond Derek Soutar.
So dominant were Celtic in the closing stages that a winner looked inevitable with the Aberdeen defence having to withstand waves of attack. Miller, a 76th-minute substitute, drilled Celtic in front five minutes from time and then sealed victory from 25 yards in stoppage-time.
ABERDEEN: Soutar, Hart, Considine, Diamond (Touzani 81), McNamara, Nicholson, Severin, Jamie Smith (Foster 68), Clark, Brewster (Miller 66), Mackie. Subs not used: Langfield, Lovell, Daniel Smith, Maguire. Booked: Diamond, Hart. Goal: Brewster 24.
CELTIC: Boruc, Wilson, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Scott Brown, Donati, McGeady, McDonald (Miller 76), Vennegoor of Hesselink. Subs not used: Mark Brown, Hartley, Sno, Pressley, Killen, O'Dea. Booked: Donati, Wilson, McGeady. Goals: Donati 61, Miller 85, 90.
Referee: C Richmond (Scotland).
