(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Celtic gave their title hopes a major boost as they thrashed nearest challengers Aberdeen 4-0 at Parkhead yesterday to open up a six point gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Both sides entered the fixture in excellent form, but it was the Dons, unbeaten in 13 games, who started brighter as they took advantage of Celtic's lethargy following their Thursday night Europa League clash with Inter Milan.
Niall McGinn, Mark Reynolds and Adam Rooney all enjoyed chances before Celtic took the lead against the run of play in the 37th minute from Jason Denayer's close range header.
A rejuvenated Celtic emerged after the break and Leigh Griffiths had an effort chopped off for offside before he despatched a 63rd minute penalty past Dons 'keeper Scott Brown.
Gary Mackay-Steven added a third in the 69th minute before Stefan Johansen rounded off the scoring for Celtic, who head into Wednesday's rearranged fixture with St Johnstone capable of opening a nine point gap at the top.
"It was a wonderful afternoon," Celtic manager Ronny Deila said. "I'm so happy with the performance and the result and I'm proud of the boys.
"In the second half I think there was only one team in it and we could have won by more."
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes felt his side unravelled after falling 2-0 behind.
"We were guilty of not making the most of our opportunities so to lose the first goal from their first corner kick was disappointing," McInnes said. "From 2-0 Celtic were in complete control of the game and took advantage of our desperation to get back in it."
Celtic had made several changes from their gruelling midweek encounter in Milan while Jonny Hayes was a surprise inclusion for Aberdeen as he replaced Peter Pawlett in the Dons midfield.
The away side came close to opening the scoring in the ninth minute when McGinn collected a quickly-taken free-kick from Hayes and curled an effort that looked to be sneaking in before Craig Gordon stretched to tip it on to the bar.
From the corner Reynolds got his head on the end of Kenny McLean's wayward shot but his effort went narrowly over.
A rare mistake from Scott Brown allowed Hayes to dispossess the Celtic captain on the halfway line and after a surging run forward his inviting cross into the box trundled just by the far post.
Hayes then strolled past Efe Ambrose to clip a cross to Rooney, but his header failed to test Gordon in goal before the 'keeper smothered a shot from Ryan Jack.
Aberdeen were well on top but a momentary lapse of concentration cost them dear in the 37th minute.
A poor kick-out from Brown allowed Johansen to release Griffiths, whose shot was turned round the post by the Dons 'keeper.
However, the Hoops made the Dons pay for their wasted chances when from the resultant corner Denayer leapt highest at the back post to head home Armstrong's in-swinging kick.
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