AFP, GLASGOW: Celtic crushed title rivals Aberdeen 3-0 to move eight points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.

Mikael Lustig's deflected shot gave Celtic a 40th-minute lead before Jonny Hayes came back to haunt his former club as he added a second in the 69th minute at Parkhead. Olivier Ntcham then took advantage of a mistake to seal victory with 15 minutes remaining.

“I thought it was a very convincing win,” said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.

“The first half was a battle, which we expected, but I thought in the second half they were outstanding.”

Despite having already dropped more points than in the whole of last season, the champions could still have a double-digit lead at the top going into the winter break with games against Dundee and Rangers next week.