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Celtic manager Ronny Deila salutes match-winner Scott Brown

Ronny Deila Celtic SP
Image: Ronny Deila: Celtic boss pays tribute to skipper

Celtic manager Ronny Deila was quick to pay tribute to match-winner Scott Brown as his side recorded a gritty 1-0 success at Pittodrie.

The Celtic skipper began and finished the move that saw the champions move 14 points clear of Sunday's hosts, winning the ball on the edge of his own penalty area before arriving on cue to tuck home Stuart Armstrong's cut-back from two yards.

It was a typically tireless display from the midfield totem as Celtic recorded their fourth win of the season over their nearest challengers and his manager admitted Brown was a role model for many others in his Parkhead squad. 

Deila said: "He’s a class player and one you love to have in your own team. He’s been absolutely brilliant throughout the season, a big influence in us winning the league. He has made a big impact.

"He’s a fair player and always goes tough in the challenge but he is fair. He loves winning and is so good with his team-mates. He's a role model for what we want. You need to be a strong character to play at this club and he's one of them.

"We have had thousands of fans coming to see us, paying huge money and making an effort to see us play, so it's good to give something back to them. They have had a good season and we have had a very good spell after Christmas. 

Celtic captain Scott Brown celebrates his goal
Image: Celtic captain Scott Brown celebrates after scoring against Aberdeen

"We should have been more clinical today but I am happy to win. Four victories over Aberdeen is a strong achievement. Our target is to get stronger, that is what we want."

As Brown celeberated his goal in front of the home fans in the Merkland Road stand, at least one missile appeared to be thrown towards him; the Celtic man made light of the situation.

He said: "Someone threw me a pie. I did try and eat it but it fell out my hands. The gaffer wouldn't like it because there are carbs in it. A 50 pence? I would have picked that up. That would have got me another pie in Fife.

"It is banter isn't it? For 90 minutes they can give me as much as they want and I can give as much as I want but as soon as we come off the field it is all forgotten about."

Derek McInnes
Image: Derek McInnes praised his team's performance against league leaders Celtic

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes refused to attach any blame to Lawrence Shankland after the substitute planted a header wide from six yards with five minutes remaining.

He said:  "I can't fault the players, they worked extremely hard today. It's a good goal from their point of view and it allowed them to counter on us. In terms of level of performance, that was excellent from us.

"The result is not what we wanted. Lawrence Shankland is devastated; nine times out of 10 he would have scored that. He has this knack of being in the right place at the right time. He'll score goals for us, no problem. We'll freshen the team up over the next couple of weeks. We'll come back next season and hopefully be better."

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