Camilo Duran delivered yet another spectacular goal, helping Celtic maintain an unblemished start to the Scottish Premiership by beating Aberdeen 3-0. The match saw both Benjamin Nygren and Hyun‑jun Yang add their names to the scoresheet, allowing the Glasgow side to seal the win before the halftime whistle. Aberdeen came close to narrowing the gap when Gavin Molloy struck the post just moments before Yang’s second‑half goal, but manager Stephen Robinson was already planning changes and introduced four fresh faces at the break.
Duran’s tally now stands at six goals in five league games, a striking return that will make it difficult for Celtic boss Martin O'Neill to shift him back onto the wing once fellow striker Kasper Hogh recovers from a thigh problem. The Colombian forward opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a sudden, thunder‑clap strike from distance – the latest in a series of eye‑catching finishes he has produced since arriving from Qarabag over the summer.
The goal came after a seemingly routine pass from Nygren. Duran took the ball, held his body steady and unleashed a 20‑yard effort that flew into the top corner, the ball striking the bar before nestling in the net with minimal back‑lift. His movement also forced Aberdeen goalkeeper Marius Muller into four first‑half saves, and he later missed a chance when he struck over a bouncing ball after Yang’s cross created chaos in the Dons’ defence.
Key moments of the match include: - 14′ – Duran fires a long‑range strike that rockets past Muller to put Celtic ahead. - 19′ – The Colombian nearly doubles the lead, but his close‑range effort sails over the bar. - 24′ – Duran’s low drive is saved by Muller, marking his fourth first‑half intervention.
- 34′ – Nygren’s mis‑hit shot somehow deceives Muller and rolls into the net. - 45+1′ – Molloy heads the ball onto the bar from just three yards out, the goal empty. - 45+1′ – Duran supplies a perfect pass to Yang, who calmly finishes to make it 2‑0.
- 77′ – Mheuka nearly scores on his first touch, only to be denied by Muller’s reflexes. After the final whistle, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill praised his side’s performance, highlighting Duran’s impact: “We played very well with some really good goals.
Camilo is a star player. He set the tone for us, and I think he’s done that all season. He’s a class player. He scored a great goal and until you get that goal you have to stay on guard.
The big moment was the opponent hitting the bar with a header from the corner. It felt comfortable at the end and we played some really good stuff, so I’m delighted with that.” Aberdeen’s boss Stephen Robinson, on the other hand, acknowledged the quality of the opposition and his own team’s shortcomings: “We got beaten by a ruthless side. We made mistakes and were punished for them. We didn’t have the belief we showed in training during the first half, and without ownership of the game it’s hard to turn things around.
At 2‑0 we hit the cross‑bar, and those fine margins can decide a match. The players did respond later, showing they can pass under pressure and are good players – that’s a positive I have to take from it. Our season won’t be defined by this loss to Celtic.
Am I disappointed? Of course. I know the team is better than what we displayed. It’s my responsibility that they didn’t have the belief to be brave in the second half.
It was too late at 3‑0, and I take full responsibility.” The victory not only reinforces Celtic’s early dominance in the league but also underscores Duran’s emergence as a key attacking outlet. His ability to score from distance, create chances and press the opposition defence adds a new dimension to O’Neill’s tactical setup. With Hogh expected to return soon, Celtic will have a potent striking partnership to rely on as the season progresses.
Aberdeen, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. The loss highlighted defensive frailties – particularly in dealing with set‑pieces and aerial threats – as well as a lack of confidence in the opening stages.
Robinson’s admission of responsibility suggests a possible tactical reshuffle and a renewed focus on building belief within the squad. Overall, the match served as a showcase of Celtic’s attacking flair and defensive solidity, while offering Aberdeen a stark reminder of the fine margins that separate victory from defeat in top‑flight football.