Celtic go clear as pressure mounts on Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha

GLASGOW: Moussa Dembele scored a double as he helped Celtic move three points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a 3-0 win over nearest challengers Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Celtic made light work of their hosts with Kieran Tierney's first league goal of the season giving them a 13th minute lead.

The 21-year-old then turned provider for Dembele to tap in his first in the 39th minute.

The French striker, who also bagged a brace in Celtic's League Cup win over Hibernian on Saturday, rounded off the scoring as he nodded home from close range in the 63rd minute in a real show of strength from the Scottish champions.

It extends Celtic's unbeaten domestic run to 61 matches as Aberdeen tasted defeat for the first time in this campaign.

"It was an outstanding display against a very good team," Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said.

"To come away and play with that composure and quality in our game was absolutely fantastic."

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes said it had been tough to watch.

"We got a lesson and Celtic were very good from the first minute to the last minute," McInnes admitted.

"We got exposed and the movement at the top end of the pitch was outstanding from Celtic."

Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha after Kilmarnock sealed a 1-1 draw at Ibrox following a dramatic finish.

Jason Holt gave Rangers a first half lead before Jamie MacDonald saved Daniel Candeia's last minute penalty.

Chris Burke then grabbed an equaliser four minutes into stoppage time as Rangers drop to fourth following Motherwell's 1-0 win over Dundee.

Much had been made of the test Celtic would face from Aberdeen, with only goal difference separating the sides before kick-off.

And at a sold-out Pittodrie it was the home side who started the brightest as captain Graeme Shinnie twice tested Hoops 'keeper Craig Gordon with early long range efforts.

However, Celtic hadn't failed to find the net against Aberdeen in the league since December 2001 and they kept up that remarkable record as they scored with their first attack of the game.

Dembele beat Kari Arnason for pace and whipped a low ball across the six-yard box.

It seemed to have evaded everyone until it reached Tierney at the far post where he smashed a wonderful shot in off the underside of the bar from an acute angle.

The goal seemed to energise Celtic who began to dominate possession with Australian midfielder Tom Rogic, restored to Celtic's starting XI, the main threat.

The Socceroos star was allowed to weave his way into the box with Joe Lewis doing well to palm his shot away before the midfielder sent a low shot well wide after cutting in from the left.

Dembele showed Rogic how to do it a minute later as he got on the end of Tierney's inch perfect cross from the left to tap home Celtic's second from close range.

Celtic started the second half as they finished the first with Rogic sliced an effort wide before Lewis made a great save to deny James Forrest with Arnason blocking the rebound from Callum McGregoe on the goal line.

It wasn't long before the Hoops added to their advantage when Dedryck Boyata headed Armstrong's free-kick back across goal for Dembele to nod in from close range.