Celtic 3-1 Aberdeen: Crucial First Win for Nancy

Celtic finally got the win they so badly needed — and on the balance of play, they deserved it. A 3–1 victory over Aberdeen brings breathing space for Wilfried Nancy and, just as importantly, restores a sense of separation at the top, with Celtic and Hearts beginning to pull clear of the rest of the pack.

From the first whistle, Celtic played well. The performance closely resembled the Dundee United game in midweek: dominant possession, sharp interchanges, and a relentless ability to create chances. And once again, Celtic were grossly unlucky not to be further ahead. Opportunities came in waves, shots clipped the woodwork, and clear openings went begging. The volume and quality of chances should have put the game to bed long before the drama arrived.

That, though, is becoming a pattern — and one that can’t be ignored any longer.

Celtic are creating enough to score four or five most weeks, but they don’t have a striker consistently turning that dominance into goals. It underlines a glaring truth: a clinical striker is essential in January. Not a project, not depth — a finisher. Someone ruthless who turns pressure into goals and kills games when Celtic are on top.

As so often under Wilfried Nancy, the familiar problem then surfaced. Despite controlling the match, Celtic were punished on the counter by Aberdeen. One moment of transition, one lapse in structure, and suddenly a game Celtic had dominated was back on a knife edge. It’s still the system’s biggest red flag.

But this time, Celtic showed resolve.

Just as the match looked like it might slip away again, Kieran Tierney delivered a huge goal — a moment of authority that steadied both team and crowd. Aberdeen’s resistance faded after that, and in injury time James Forrest made sure, sealing a massive three points.

This wasn’t a perfect performance — the defensive vulnerability remains, and the missed chances are a real concern — but it was a crucial one. Celtic were the better side, responded when tested, and got the result they needed.

For Nancy, it buys breathing space.

For Celtic, it restores momentum.

But if this team is going to turn strong performances into dominance, January recruitment — especially up front — has to be decisive.