Hi °C | Lo °C Substitute Kenny Miller was the hero for Celtic, scoring two late goals as a strong second-half performance from the Hoops gave them a 3-1 victory in their Premier League match at Aberdeen yesterday.
Craig Brewster scored from close range to give Aberdeen a 25th minute lead, but after Shunsuke Nakamura hit the bar with a free-kick, Celtic drew level through a fine strike from Massimo Donati.
Miller then made his presence felt with a close range finish – after which Celtic manager Gordon Strachan was sent from the technical area for arguing with a fan and official – before Miller pounced again in injury time, with a terrific 30-yard shot.
Brewster had given Aberdeen a deserved lead. Aiden McGeady lost possession for Celtic and although the midfielder thought he was fouled, Michael Hart took advantage in sending a pass to Barry Nicholson, whose low centre was tapped in by Brewster at the back post.
In the 62nd minute, McGeady fed Donati, who cut inside Zander Diamond before curling a shot into the far corner. In the closing stages Mark Wilson's cross was shifted by Nakamura to Donati and he passed to Miller, who shot low past Soutar.
Strachan was then ordered from his dug-out by referee Richmond in a frenetic conclusion, before Miller curled a delightful 30-yard shot past Soutar to ensure the Parkhead club left Pittodrie with three points.
The one-time full-back Steven Whittaker is not renowned for his goalscoring but deployed on the right of Walter Smith's midfield, the £2m summer signing from Hibernian marked his debut with a goal as Rangers ran out 7-2 winners over Falkirk.
"I've had one goal each season for the last four seasons," said Whittaker. "Now I've had one goal out of one game so I have a lot of games to come and hopefully I can bag a few more.
"I was delighted just to be in the team but, to score a goal myself and to score seven as a team, made it a tremendous debut."
Whittaker's strike was lost in a blur of goals as Rangers' strikers battled to impress Smith, who has yet to settle on his preferred partnership up front. Daniel Cousin and Jean-Claude Darcheville each claimed a double, while Kris Boyd ended his barren spell.
An injury-time goal from defender Kirk Broadfoot was an unexpected bonus as Rangers ran riot. Arnau Riera and Graham Barrett scored for Falkirk.
Hearts have taken Auxerre goalkeeper Anthony Basso on trial. The Clydesdale Bank Premier League club are on the lookout for cover for Steve Banks following Craig Gordon's transfer to Sunderland.
