Scottish football as it happened

1. Dundee United 1-0 Ross County
2. Hamilton 2-4 St Johnstone
3. Inverness CT 1-1 Dundee
4. Kilmarnock 0-1 Motherwell
5. Partick Thistle 0-4 Hearts
6. Celtic 3-1 Aberdeen

Goodbye

So, Celtic move seven points clear at the top of the table with victory over Aberdeen. Hearts leapfrog the Dons and into second place courtesy of a 4-0 thumping of Partick.

St Johnstone, Dundee United and Motherwell also record wins as Inverness CT and Dundee share the spoils.

Thanks for your company this afternoon. We're back tomorrow for Hibs v Rangers, hope you can join us then. Cheers.

Kilmarnock 0-1 Motherwell

"I'm still on a learning curve, finding out about the players, and to be winning while doing that is a bonus.

"We kept our shape with great discipline and made it very difficult for Kilmarnock.

SNS

"It's a tricky pitch to get your deliveries right on but it's a percentage game and we eventually got our goal.

"I'll continue to give people an opportunity and to play about with the shape a little bit - we've got a long way to go until we know exactly where we are and where we should stand in the league."

Partick 0-4 Hearts

"It was a good performance in the second half. First half, we were pretty poor, to be honest.

"To come away from home and get four goals is great but we want to make sure we play better football at times.

SNS

"It's nice to be second but there's a long way to go.

"Top-six has always been the target, right from the start. The longer we stay second, the better chance we have of a top-six finish."

FULL-TIME

East Fife 0-1 Annan Athletic

Elgin 2-0 Arbroath

Montrose 4-1 Berwick

Queen's Park 1-1 Clyde

Stirling 0-0 East Stirling

FULL-TIME

Airdrie 1-1 Albion

Ayr 3-1 Stranraer

Cowdenbeath 0-0 Dunfermline

Forfar 0-1 Brechin

Stenhousemuir 4-3 Peterhead

FULL-TIME

Alloa 1-2 Queen of South

Dumbarton 1-2 Morton

Falkirk 3-0 St Mirren

Livingston 3-0 Raith Rovers

Celtic 3-1 Aberdeen

"Our fight has never been with Celtic. All we want to do is improve and I'm confident we can do that.

"At the minute, we just need to manage our own situation.

"The supporters clapped the team off. They see what I see. They recognise an effort.

SNS

"It was far better today. We know we're not perfect but we are better than most and we'll show that over the course of the campaign. We'll be absolutely fine."

Celtic 3-1 Aberdeen

"We have the greatest fans in the world, in my opinion, and you have to give them something.

"That's what we are training for every day.

"The players showed character, they showed skills and they gave the fans three nice goals. It could have been more."

SNS

On facing Molde in the Europa League on Thursday, he added: "We are going to meet a team that is very compact and organised.

"They are not here to entertain but they can hit us hard on breaks if we are not concentrated and 100% aware all of the time.

"They have beaten Fenerbahce away and drawn with Ajax, so we can't talk about names. So far, they have been the best team in the group."

Partick 0-4 Hearts

Richard Wilson at Firhill

BBC Scotland

"Hearts were worthy winners after a performance of strength and purpose. Partick Thistle had their moments in the game, but they had no answer or equivalent to the cutting edge that the visitors could apply at Firhill. A team of muscle and pace, Hearts move up to second in the Premiership and look equipped to maintain a challenge to Aberdeen to finish likely runners-up this season. A professional, accomplished victory for Robbie Neilson's side."

FULL-TIME

RED CARD

Aidan Connolly is sent off for a second yellow card after fouling Michael Gardyne.

FULL-TIME

Hamilton 2-4 St Johnstone

Inverness CT 1-1 Dundee

Kilmarnock 0-1 Motherwell

Partick 0-4 Hearts

GOAL

Jesus Garcia Tena is fouled in the box, dusts himself down and fires home his and Accies' second of the afternoon.

GOAL

The away fans at Rugby Park are in raptures as substitute Louis Moult fires home what could prove to be a late, late winner!

GOAL

Ryan Stevenson gets close to the penalty but Osman Sow just manages to edge it past him.

RED CARD

Ryan Scully's day goes from bad to worse as he's sent off for bringing down Osman Sow in the box. Ryan Stevenson takes the goalkeeper jersey with all three substitutes used.

PENALTY

GOAL

Billy Mckay scores from the spot after Scott Fraser is felled in the box.

PENALTY

GOAL

Jesus Garcia Tena pulls one back with a superb free-kick. What a goal!

Kilmarnock 0-0 Motherwell

It's still goalless at Rugby Park, Killie pressing for what might prove a late winner, and Josh Magennis directing his header across the face of the goal.

Inverness CT 1-1 Dundee

Dundee go close to taking lead as Nicky Low is put through by Greg Stewart only for goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams to block the midfielder's shot.

Partick 0-3 Hearts

The only debate now is how many Hearts win this game by. Callum Paterson races down the right hand side unchallenged, cuts inside, and fires a left-footed shot which Ryan Scully parries away.

GOAL

St Johnstone are treating the fans at New Douglas Park to a display reminiscent of the mighty 1970s Brazil. Michael O'Halloran fires home the fourth goal for the dominant visitors.

GOAL

Kevin Holt concedes a penalty, allowing Greg Tansey the chance to restore parity... and he does!

GOAL

A clumsy challenge from Liam Lindsay sends Arnaud Djoum tumbling, and Juanma Delgado easily places the penalty into the bottom right hand corner.

PENALTY

PENALTY

GOAL

Liam Craig tees up David Wotherspoon to fire home St Johnstone's third goal of the afternoon. Tommy Wright's men are rampant!

CLOSE!

Great chance for Dundee United's John Souttar, but he fires over the crossbar from a Sean Dillon cross.

Hamilton 0-2 St Johnstone

Jonathan Sutherland at McDiarmid Park

BBC Scotland

"St Johnstone playing like a street-wise side, doing what they have to do. Cummins so alert and taking his chances. Accies paying the price for not taking their chances."

Partick Thistle 0-2 Hearts

Richard Wilson

BBC Scotland

"Osman Sow is rewarded for his enterprise. His spin and drag back on the edge of the area saw the ball slip from his control, but it cannoned off Liam Lindsay and back into his path. The striker showed coolness under pressure to clip his shot past Scully."

GOAL

It's a poor goal from Partick's point of view. Osman Sow receives the ball with his back to goal, yet is able to turn and slip it past the goalkeeper. Alan Archibald won't be happy with how easy they conceded, but Hearts are heading towards second in the table.

GOAL

Rory Loy fires low into the corner as he sends Owain Fon Williams the wrong way from the penalty spot. Let Loy be unconfined!

RED CARD

Greg Stewart is brought down by David Raven, who receives his marching orders.

PENALTY

GOAL

St Johnstone double their lead and it's that man Graham Cummins again! He's alert to fire home from close range after McGovern could only parry a shot.

KICK-OFF

Fed and watered courtesy of a cup of tea & a strawberry cornetto, we're ready go again...

HALF-TIME

Alloa 1-0 Queen of South

Dumbarton 0-1 Morton

Falkirk 2-0 St Mirren

Livingston 1-0 Raith Rovers

HALF-TIME

Dundee Utd 0-0 Ross County

Hamilton 0-1 St Johnstone

Inverness CT 0-0 Dundee

Kilmarnock 0-0 Motherwell

Partick 0-1 Hearts

Dundee United 0-0 Ross County

Brian McLauchlin at Tannadice

BBC Scotland

"Honours even at the break but only thanks to a wonderful one handed save by County keeper Gary Woods after a free kick floated into the box was knocked towards his own goal by Richie Foster. The home side have had a lot of the ball and at every opportunity try to play the strikers in with balls over the top of the County defence. That said Szromnik also made a great save from a long range effort from Tony Dingwall just before the half-time whistle."

Partick Thistle 0-1 Hearts

Richard Wilson at Firhill

BBC Scotland

"Hearts' goal was a reward for Nicholson's continuing intrepid mess, despite the derisory booing from the Partick fans every time he has the ball. It was his burst upfield that resulted in the free-kick that Ryan Scully pushed out to Osman Sow, who crossed again for Juanma to convert. Partick will feel aggrieved since they have played some composed football, but it has lacked a cutting edge."

GREAT SAVE!

Dundee United goalkeeper Michał Szromnik makes a superb save to touch a Tony Dingwall drive over the crossbar.

DISALLOWED GOAL

Martin Dowden

BBC Scotland

"That woke us all up. Josh Meekings heads home from a free kick but he had strayed narrowly offside. A real lack of tempo and creativity in this encounter though the bright low sun may be hampering the players a little."

Super idea

Luigi gives Mario the thumbs up for a pie & bovril at half-time. Quite right too...

SNS

GOAL

Tommy Wright's troops are on the march as Graham Cummins nods the visitors in front from Brian Easton's cross.

Kilmarnock 0-0 Motherwell

Things hotting up a little at Rugby Park, as Marvin Johnson goes close for Motherwell, rasping a strike narrowly over from the left edge of the area.

GOAL

Danny Swanson's free-kick is headed towards goal. Ryan Scully saves but can't hold it, and as the Thistle defence take their time to react, Osman Sow plays it back to Juanma Delgado who has an easy tap in from close range. The Jambos draw first blood at Firhill.

SNS

Partick Thistle 0-0 Hearts

Hearts' attack sums up the game so far. Juanma Delgado tries to turn the defender but falls over. The loose ball goes to Arnaud Djoum, whose long range shot should be landing on the M8 any second now.

The Jambos could leapfrog Aberdeen and move into second spot with a win today...

Scream if you want a goal!

SNS

Inverness CT 0-0 Dundee

Caley Thistle are beginning to exert some pressure; an Iain Vigurs header and a Danny Williams shot are straight at goalkeeper Scott Bain.

Kilmarnock 0-0 Motherwell

Alasdair Lamont at Rugby Park

BBC Scotland

"This game has been easy enough on the eye but neither the Kilmarnock nor Motherwell keeper have had a save to make thus far."

Partick Thistle 0-0 Hearts

Richard Wilson at Firhill

BBC Scotland

"Sam Nicholson has made himself the villain of the home fans at Firhill. The Hearts winger lay prone, clutching his leg after a challenge, but when played was waved on and the ball moved back towards him, he leapt up to his feet and sprinted after it. "Cheat" rings out now whenever he is on the ball."

Dundee United 0-0 Ross County

"I am a bit concerned by the Ross County back-four. That was just another long ball over the central defence and Scott Fraser had a good chance but stumbled," says BBC Sportsound pundit Murdo MacLeod.

Partick Thistle 0-0 Hearts

Richard Wilson at Firhill

BBC Scotland

"Hearts carry a threat on the counter-attack, particularly when the lively Arnaud Djoum is bursting forward from midfield, but Partick are playing increasingly measured and constructive football, passing crisply and with intent. They have created moments of menace in the Hearts penalty area and the game is finely poised."

Inverness CT 0-0 Dundee

Martin Dowden at the Caledonian Stadium

BBC Scotland

"Frightening how little action there's been at either end of the park. Only a deflected Greg Stewart effort of any note. Neither side seem capable of generating any consistent pressure."

Dundee United 0-0 Ross County

"It's great from United just now," purrs BBC Sportsound pundit Murdo MacLeod.

Dundee United 0-0 Ross County

Ricky Foster deflects a Blair Spittal header wide for a corner as Dundee United begin to exert some pressure on Ross County.

Partick Thistle 0-0 Hearts

Another good chance for the Jags. David Amoo turns and steers a low shot towards goal, but Jordan McGhee manages to get a foot in to deflect it clear for a corner.

The home fans will be rubbing their hands under the autumn sun, saying: "Thistle do nicely!!"

Partick Thistle 0-0 Hearts

Goalmouth action is at a premium at Firhill, but Stuart Bannigan is given space at the edge of the six-yard box and so nearly places the ball in the net. However, it's wide of the far post.

Give us a goal!

It remains goalless in our five top-fight games with a 3pm kick off, but that's going to change soon, right?

GOAL

GREAT SAVE!

Jon Rankin fires a shot on target for Dundee United, but the midfielder's strike is straight at Ross County goalkeeper Gary Woods.

Hamilton 0-0 St Johnstone

Paul Mitchell at New Douglas Park

BBC Sport

"All the early running in Hamilton from the home side @acciesfc chances through Crawford, Nade and Imrie..."

Kilmarnock 0-0 Motherwell

Alasdair Lamont at Rugby Park

BBC Scotland

"Killie enjoying the better of the opening exchanges. They look bright and full of the confidence that comes with being on a good run."

GOAL

GOAL

Partick Thistle 0-0 Hearts

Decent start at Firhill, both sides look to have set up to have a go. Neither goalkeeper troubled yet but Danny Swanson is not far away with a curling effort from the edge of the box.

DISALLOWED GOAL

Adam Taggart has the ball in the net for Dundee United, but the striker is ruled offside.

The sun has got his hat on

Sun-kissed pitches across the country; superb conditions for football.

Dundee United 0-0 Ross County

Brian McLauchlin at Tannadice

BBC Scotland

Late change for Ross County with Jamie Reckord dropping out and Richard Foster coming in at left back.

KICK-OFF

Here we go! Goals please and plenty of them...

LINE-UPS

Inverness CT: Fon Williams, Raven, Tremarco, Vincent, Meekings, Devine, Tansey, Williams, Polworth, Christie, Vigurs. Subs: Esson, Warren, Wedderburn, Horner, Sutherland, Macrae.

Dundee: Bain, Holt, Konrad, Stewart, Low, Loy, Ross, McGowan, McGinn, Healey, Gadzhalov. Subs: Mitchell, Irvine, Meggatt, Hemmings, Calder, Harkins, Skelly.

Partick Thistle v Hearts (15:00)

Richard Wilson at Firhill

BBC Scotland

The prize for Hearts at Firhill is status. A win would move them up to second place in the Premiership, and evidence again of the team's strong return to the top-flight. The hosts are unbeaten in four games, though, and can be resilient at home.

"Given their respective strengths, it is the side that can find the cutting edge up front - which has been unreliable at times for both teams this season - that is likely to prevail here..."

Kilmarnock v Motherwell (15:00)

Alasdair Lamont at Rugby Park

BBC Scotland

"A beautiful, still day in Ayrshire for today's match, which features an in-form home side against a Motherwell team still getting used to life under Mark McGhee. There were certainly some positive signs for 'Well fans in last weekend's creditable draw at Aberdeen and McGhee rewards the positive impact made off the bench by Lionel Ainsworth, Scott McDonald and Theo Robinson by putting them in from the start today.

"McGhee's Killie counterpart Gary Locke doesn't feel the need to change any personnel following their win away to Dundee as they look for a fifth victory in their last seven league matches."

LINE-UPS

Hamilton: McGovern, Gordon, Garcia Tena, Canning, Kurakins, Gillespie, Imrie, Kurtaj, Longridge, Crawford, Nade. Subs: Sendles-White, D'Acol, Turner, Morris, Docherty, Martin, Boyd.

St Johnstone: Mannus, Shaughnessy, Scobbie, Anderson, Easton, Fisher, O'Halloran, Davidson, Craig, Wotherspoon, Cummins. Subs: Lappin, Sutton, Clark, McKay, Kane, Thomson, McCawl.

Referee: Kevin Clancy

LINE-UPS

Kilmarnock: MacDonald, O'Hara, Findlay, Balatoni, McHattie, Smith, Slater, McKenzie, Kiltie, Higginbotham, Magennis. Subs: Ridgers, Hamill, Robinson, Boyd, Obadeyi, Ashcroft, Carrick.

Motherwell: Ripley, Law, Kennedy, McManus, Chalmers, Grimshaw, Ainsworth, Pearson, Johnson, Robinson, McDonald. Subs: Laing, Fletcher, Samson, Clarkson, Moult, Jack Leitch, Taylor.

Referee: Bobby Madden

LINE-UPS

Partick: Scully, Dumbuya, Lindsay, Seaborne, Booth, Bannigan, Osman, Amoo, Welsh, Lawless, Pogba. Subs: Miller, Doolan, Stevenson, Frans, Fraser, Muirhead, Gallacher.

Hearts: Alexander, Paterson, McGhee, Igor Rossi, Oshaniwa, Swanson, Djoum, Buaben, Nicholson, Sow, Delgado. Subs: Gomis, King, Hamilton, Reilly, Liam Smith, Baur, Zanatta.

Referee: Steven McLean

LINE-UPS

Dundee Utd: Szromnik, Souttar, McGowan, Durnan, Dillon, Spittal, Rankin, Fraser, Kuhl, Taggart, McKay. Subs: Murray, Telfer, Connolly, Donaldson, Bodul, Robson, Zwick.

Ross County: Gary Woods, Fraser, Robertson, Davies, Reckord, Gardyne, Irvine, Martin Woods, Dingwall, Curran, Boyce. Subs: Boyd, Graham, Foster, Franks, Murdoch, Schalk, Severn.

Referee: Don Robertson

Your Views

Max Baggins-Craig: "Rooney hits the headlines once again, except Adam's far better than Wayne this term. Great determination from him :)"

Inverness CT v Dundee

Martin Dowden

BBC Scotland

"Injury problems continue for Inverness CT with Miles Storey the latest absentee though Gary Warren returns to the bench after missing much of this season. Dundee make four changes with Konrad, Low, McGowan and Gadzhalov all coming into the starting line-up."

FULL-TIME

Ronny Deila's side move seven points clear at the top of the table. Leigh Griffiths and Tom Rogic impress for the hosts as Adam Rooney nets a late consolation for the Dons.

Get Involved

MBEHAN: Rogic & Tierney impressing again as they usually do when given a chance #bbcscotfootball

GOAL

The Dons reduce the deficit with a goal of stunning simplicity: Jonny Hayes cross from a free kick... Adam Rooney header. Goal. The Dons will be plagued by thoughts of "What if" while the statuesque Celtic defence will be reminded of their recent frailties in Europe.

Celtic 3-0 Aberdeen

Leigh Griffiths, aiming to turn provider, flights a great ball into Kris Commons. The latter's effort slides the wrong side of the post and just out of reach of the sliding Stuart Armstrong at the back post.

Celtic 3-0 Aberdeen

More frustration for Aberdeen as Jonny Hayes sends over another cracking cross from the left but once again there are no takers for the Dons.

Get Involved

Hugh Kennedy: Ronny Delia's dilemma is how to keep two squads interested. One for Europe where we are still very far behind Lennon era. And the SPL squad which really will will the league in second gear for next ten years. SPL standard is lower year on year and TV interest nil.

Kevin, Glasgow: Celtic and Ronny Deila will be judged on Thursday night. Beating Aberdeen at Parkhead means little.

Celtic 3-0 Aberdeen

A great run by Peter Pawlett but his cross evades everyone in red. Seconds later and Shay Logan's cross sees Pawlett head for goal but his effort is brilliantly saved by Craig Gordon.

Celtic 3-0 Aberdeen

Leigh Griffiths fires an optimistic shot from distance with team-mate Stuart Armstrong unmarked about five yards to his left. "I'd slap his backside," thunders BBC Sportsound pundit Willie Miller regarding Griffiths's decision...

Get Involved

Erica Innes: I think I might have jinxed that one, sorry boys #COYR

Celtic 3-0 Aberdeen

Tom Rogic is orchestrating Celtic's attacks and the Australian dinks a clever ball into the path of substitute Stuart Armstrong but his effort is well saved by Danny Ward.

Armstrong threatens moments later after a neat one-two with Kris Commons, but angles his shot narrowly wide.

Your Views

Anon: So Celtic steamroller Aberdeen at Parkhead again and snuff out their title challenge. Maybe now people will understand why Ronny Deila got upset about their lack of recognition from the media.

GREAT SAVE!

Leigh Griffiths is all but celebrating his hat-trick with a wicked, swerving 25-yard strike but Aberdeen keeper Danny Ward displays Ninja-like reflexes to tip the ball over. What a save!

Celtic 3-0 Aberdeen

Stuart Armstrong replaces James Forrest as Ronny Deila shuffles his Celtic pack, perhaps with Molde on Thursday in the Europa League in mind...

Celtic 3-0 Aberdeen

Celtic are playing with increasing confidence on account of their three-goal cushion; Aberdeen look stunned at losing those second half goals to give them a mountain to climb.

GOAL

Ronny Deila punches the air in delight after seeing his side score their third goal of the afternoon. Tom Rogic threads a ball through for James Forrest and the winger, amidst a sea of Aberdeen red jerseys, controls before flicking the ball beyond the advancing Danny Ward.

SNS

Get Involved

Pete: Why is that not a red card for Taylor? He could have broken Commons' leg.

Celtic 2-0 Aberdeen

Ash Taylor spurns a chance to atone for his penalty misery, heading wide from a decent cross. Can the Dons find a way back into this game?

Celtic 2-0 Aberdeen

"Ash Taylor's got to show more composure than that..."

GOAL

Kris Commons, just inside the penalty area on the left, is scythed down by Ash Taylor. Referee Willie Collum points to the spot and brandishes the yellow card. Leigh Griffiths trots up and thumps the ball home despite an impressive dive from Danny Ward.

SNS

Taylor, nor Derek McInnes, will want to see that challenge on Commons again. Celtic double their lead and appear in control of this one.

PENALTY

Celtic 1-0 Aberdeen

Two Celtic chances within a minute: Tom Rogic stings the palms of Aberdeen keeper Danny Ward with a fierce 20-yard drive before Kris Commons, with the goal at his mercy, flicks the ball wide with an unconvincing outside of the foot effort.

Celtic 1-0 Aberdeen

The Dons have come out on the front foot and look eager to restore parity. The Celtic defence has had to look alert to snuff out some early Aberdeen attacks.

KICK-OFF

We're back under way!

Fancy dress at Celtic Park

SNS

SNS

SNS

Your Views

Erica Innes: What a great game! This is still well in reach for the Dons, fans and players need to stay positive here #COYR

MBEHAN: That man Griffiths again! Such a goal threat & improved player.

HALF-TIME

The hosts are a goal to the good at the break, courtesy of a bullet header by Leigh Griffiths. The half-time orange slices will have a bitter taste for the Dons and Adam Rooney in particular. Plenty to chew over and the makings of a cracking second 45.

BBC Sportsound pundit Willie Miller

"It's a trademark goal from Leigh Griffiths as he plays on the shoulder of the defender. He just ghosts in there but what about the power in the header?"

GOAL

We have the breakthrough at Celtic Park as the hosts take the lead just before the break. Kiernan Tierney, impressing at left back in place of Emilio Izaguirre, sends in a sumptuous cross for the rising Leigh Griffiths to bullet a header beyond Danny Ward.

SNS

Griffiths atoned for a howler of a miss moments earlier, when he ballooned a shot over following clever play by Mikael Lustig.

Driving force

SNS Group

Scottish golfer and Aberdeen fan Paul Lawrie is at Celtic Park with his family this afternoon. Wonder what he makes of Adam Rooney heading that gilt-edged chance out of bounds?

HITS THE WOODWORK

Another Celtic corner and Dedryck Boyata's looping header looks destined for the net but a combination of Kenny McLean and woodwork deny the Celtic defender. How on earth is this game still goalless? It could be 5-5...

Celtic 0-0 Aberdeen

Tom Rogic responds for Celtic to force a corner, their seventh of the first half. Dons keeper Danny Ward leaps through the air - Superman style - to unconvincingly punch clear and there are no Celtic players on hand to pounce.

CLOSE!

Adam Rooney, a penny for your thoughts. Another slick Aberdeen passing move slices through Celtic defence like a knife through butter as Jonny Hayes crosses for the unmarked Rooney who leaps... but heads his effort wide of goal with Craig Gordon stranded.

Celtic 0-0 Aberdeen

Celtic force a couple of corners in quick succession but they lack the aerial threat to threaten the Dons; they're clearly missing Jason Denayer and Virgil van Dijk.

YELLOW CARD

Graeme Shinnie earns a yellow card for a late, sliding challenge on Nir Bitton. Shinnie goes into Willie Collum's big black book and Shinnie acknowledges his indiscretion.

GREAT SAVE!

Aberdeen goalkeeper Danny Ward saves the visitors' bacon, denying Leigh Griffiths with a superb reflex save as the Celtic striker saw the whites of his eyes.

The Dons launch a lightning counter attack but it fizzles out as Celtic frantically recover.

Get Involved

Richard Wilkinson: My view of the game the afternoon...

other

DISALLOWED GOAL

Aberdeen have the ball in the net but Adam Rooney is flagged offside after stabbing the ball home from close range. The Dons are troubling Celtic with crosses into the box. It remains goalless but for how long?

Celtic 0-0 Aberdeen

Andrew Considine has failed to recover from that clash of heads with Dedryck Boyata and is replaced by Paul Quinn, who scored the winner when the sides met at Pittodrie last month.

CLOSE!

The waspish James Forrest buzzes about the Dons defence before spotting an opening and flying into it. His shot, though, results in another Celtic corner. The hosts fail to profit.

Celtic 0-0 Aberdeen

Aberdeen press again, this time down the left flank, and Jonny Hayes whips in a cross for Adam Rooney to dink an effort over Craig Gordon's goal.

Both sides are knocking on the door, Trick or Treat style here..

SNS

CLOSE!

Aberdeen come within a whisker of taking the lead. Niall McGinn dances past Kiernan Tierney down the flank and his centre is flicked just over the bar by the predatory Adam Rooney.

Both sides are beginning to find their rhythm in an entertaining opening 15 minutes.

Celtic 0-0 Aberdeen

A short delay in proceedings as Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata receives treatment following a clash of heads in the box.

Celtic 0-0 Aberdeen

The Dons struggle to clear the corner and Kenny McLean blocks a shot into the box. No appeals from the Celtic players but the BBC Sportsound pundits are asking the question...

CLOSE!

Tom Rogic finds in-form Leigh Griffiths who nutmegs Shay Logan before firing a shot inches wide of goal. Seconds later, James Forrest sees his effort deflected wide for a Celtic corner.

Celtic 0-0 Aberdeen

The Dons have a chance to threaten the Celtic goal but Jonny Hayes's free kick comes to nothing as the visitors are penalised by referee Willie Collum for a push inside the penalty area.

Celtic 0-0 Aberdeen

James Forrest looks to show the Aberdeen defence a clean pair of heels but the winger runs the ball out of play before whipping in a cross.

Moments later, striker Leigh Griffiths has a sniff but the Dons repel the danger.

Celtic 0-0 Aberdeen

A cracking atmosphere inside Celtic Park with the away fans in fine voice. Neither goalkeeper has been called into action but the game is being played at a frenetic pace.

KICK-OFF

The sun puts in an appearance over Celtic Park as the game gets under way.

Celtic manager Ronny Deila

"It's fun to have a lot of games, a lot of important games as well. Today we have a big chance to make a good mark on the league.

"If we get to seven points they can't take those points away from us. We will keep trying to win games, that's what we want, and then it's harder to catch us.

SNS

"We are a club with very high standards. We are not perfect, we make mistakes. But this is a fantastic club with fantastic supporters and sometimes you have to go out and say that.

"It's something to be proud of that we have clubs like this, other countries - Norway is the same size, Sweden and Denmark are bigger than Scotland, but they don't have Celtic."

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes

"It's always a game everybody at our club eagerly anticipates. It's the toughest challenge but it's an opportunity for us.

"When you're playing teams in and around you as we are with Celtic it's important we try and make the most of those opportunities to put yourself in a position to try to win the game.

"A lot is made of our record against Celtic but since we've [McInnes and Tony Doherty] come in here we've won three times against them. We've had two late winners against us as well.

SNS

"If you watch the Dundee United game last week the Celtic players all enjoyed the game. As soon as they start enjoying the game it becomes a hopeless task."

Deila right - Stark

Responding to Ronny Deila's comments, Stark said: "Yeah, I think he's quite right to defend both himself and the club's record.

"He also has to realise that people working in the media are effectively paid to give opinions. The main criticism has been the European form, in particular the defensive side of things.

"He's quite right to have a go back. I think the club and the supporters would expect him to do that.

"Sometimes, you've just got to be careful about going over the top a wee bit. Yesterday was fairly well measured."

Stark reminder

Billy Stark, who starred for both Aberdeen and Celtic, says the Dons will need at least a draw to keep their title hopes alive.

"The run they had at the start of the season was quite phenomenal," Stark told BBC Scotland. "I think most people would be very surprised by the collapse in the last few games but that's football for you.

SNS

"Derek McInnes will be working very hard to ensure they're resolute and tough to beat.

"If Aberdeen can come out of the game with something today then it keeps it going in most people's minds."

Earlier this season

Ten-man Aberdeen prevailed when the sides last met at Pittodrie in September.

Leigh Griffiths had given the visitors the lead with a penalty. Adam Rooney levelled with a spot-kick of his own and, despite Jonny Hayes receiving his marching orders, Paul Quinn scored the winner four minutes from time.

SNS

Ronny's Roar

Ronny Deila yesterday hit back at his and the Celtic team's critics,

The manager and his players were vilified for a poor performance in Molde last week, with former players questioning his tactics and the team's display.

Celtic have responded with victories over Dundee United and Hearts.

SNS

Ronny Deila has rounded on Celtic's critics

"People can talk but we have to do it. Others can watch and can work in media, I want to work in football," he said.

"What is important is that this club sticks together, Celtic fans and those who work for Celtic, and we have to be proud of what we have achieved.

"Four titles in a row in the league, we won the League Cup last year, the club has been in Europe for many years and they are the pride of Scotland in Europe. So many positive things are happening around here.

"And whoever is coming out and saying things about Celtic to put pressure on us, it doesn't affect me, but it motivates me a lot."

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Get Involved

What's your scariest football recollection? Is it a "horror show" by your central defenders in a heavy defeat? Or maybe when the opposition forward ghosted in at the back post to nod home a late winner?

Are you pitching up at a game today in a ghastly pair of trousers?

Maybe you'll have Paprika Ghoulash for dinner tonight.

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Chris McLaughlin at Celtic Park

BBC Sport

Two changes for #Celtic. Tierney and Rogic in for Izaguirre and Armstrong. One change for #Aberdeen. Considine comes in and Pawlett drops to bench...

LINE-UPS

Celtic: Gordon; Lustig, Boyata, Simunovic, Tierney; Johansen, Bitton; Commons, Rogic, Forrest; Griffiths. Subs: Bailly, Ambrose, Izaguirre, Armstrong, McGregor, Allan, Ciftci.

Aberdeen: Ward, Logan, Taylor, Reynolds, Considine, Jack, Shinnie, McGinn, McLean, Hayes, Rooney. Subs: Brown, Flood, Robson, Pawlett, Goodwillie, Quinn, McLaughlin.

Games at 15:00

Dundee United v Ross County

Hamilton v St Johnstone

Inverness CT v Dundee

Kilmarnock v Motherwell

Partick v Hearts

Title race

The Dons, five points clear in the title race at one stage, now trail Ronny Deila's side by four and will be straining every sinew to secure at least a draw in Glasgow.

SNS

Celtic host the Dons in a lunchtime top-of-the-table clash

Deila, who responded to his critics yesterday, aims to extend his side's lead at the top. The stage is set.

Scary at the top

A full Scottish Premiership fixture list competes for attention with Halloween on this chilly Saturday.

Good afternoon and a warm welcome to our live text coverage of a bumper day of football.

EPA

Will there be any screamers from distance at today's games?

First up, league leaders Celtic host second-placed Aberdeen in a mouth-watering lunchtime encounter.

Here's hoping for no own ghouls at any of today's games…