Stokes saves Celtic with late winner

FT: Aberdeen 0 Celtic 1

Celtic lost Emilio Izaguirre to a suspected broken ankle before a late goal from Anthony Stokes saved them from more disappointment at Pittodrie.

Izaguirre was stretchered off early in the game following what looked a fair sliding challenge from Peter Pawlett and Celtic struggled to break down the Dons.

But Kris Commons dispossessed Richard Foster before setting up Stokes to net the only goal of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League contest in the 74th minute.

The frustration was becoming audible from the Celtic support and evident among the players too as Kayal lashed a shot high and wide.

But they got the breakthrough in the 74th minute. Commons slid in to take the ball off left-back Richard Foster and exchanged passes with Stokes before laying the ball back to the Irishman to sweep into the bottom corner from 10 yards.

Commons cut open the Dons again following a slick move, playing in Forrest, but Gonzalez got enough on the winger’s low shot to divert it over the bar.

Celtic were comfortable and substitute Georgios Samaras headed wide Mulgrew’s cross.