SPL wrap: Celtic deepen Aberdeen woe, St Johnstone climb

Celtic scored their third win in 11 days over struggling Aberdeen with a comfortable 3-0 triumph at Pittodrie on Tuesday.

A 1-0 Scottish Premier League win at Celtic Park on January 22 was followed by a 4-1 thumping in the semi-final of the CIS Cup at Hampden on Saturday.

On Tuesday, it was back to league duty and striker Anthony Stokes – who scored in both previous wins – continued to be a thorn in Aberdeen’s side.

It was a nightmare start to the game for Aberdeen, who conceded a penalty and had defender Andrew Considine sent off after only two minutes, but goalkeeper Jamie Langfield did well to save Stokes’ spot kick.

Celtic did not have to wait long to take the lead, however, and Gary Hooper scored 10 minutes later although Aberdeen defended doggedly from that point on.

Mark Wilson eventually doubled Celtic’s advantage with 15 minutes to go, and Stokes bobbed up three minutes later to complete the rout.

The win sees Celtic increase their lead at the top of the league to eight points over arch-rivals Rangers, who have three games in hand.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, St Johnstone leapfrogged Motherwell into seventh place with a 2-0 win over bottom side Hamilton.

Midfielder Steve May scored four minutes into the match, then again just a minute after the interval to give St Johnstone all three points.