Joe Hart: The Celtic goalkeeper was a virtual spectator in the first half but looked totally unconvincing when he raced from his goal and attempted to punch clear on 43 minutes. He was barely seen in the entire second half either as the Reds failed to mount a serious attack. 6

Anthony Ralston: It was 'The Brickie' time again with Josip Juranovic still on World Cup duty with Croatia. The right-back found the going tough in the opening 45 minutes as both his touch and passing range were not up to his usual high standards. It was much more on point after the restart and he produced the pass of the match to release Abada, who squared it for Kyogo who somehow missed from a few yards out. 7

Cameron Carter-Vickers: USA international Carter-Vickers returned from Qatar with a World Cup finals appearance under his belt for his country. He found a familiar partner in defence in the shape of Carl Starfelt and between them they were rock solid. He coped with everything that the Reds could throw at him which, in all honesty, wasn't much. 7

Carl Starfelt: The Swede was back in the old routine as Ange Postecoglou got the defensive band back together for the first time this season. He cut a calm and composed figure alongside Carter-Vickers at all times as they easily dealt with the twin threat of Bojan Miovski and Duk. 7

Greg Taylor: Arguably Celtic's MVP in the first half of the season, the Scotland international at least tried to link the play with Jota as much as he could in the first half but was more often than not left frustrated as he was thwarted by a stubborn Reds defensive wall despite picking up some great positions. He drilled a drive inches wide of the target. 7

Callum McGregor: Captain marvel was welcomed back to the Celtic fold for the first time since early October. The skipper orchestrated and dictated play in the engine room and always seemed to be free and available for a pass as some natural order was restored. He picked out Kyogo with an exquisite pass at one stage which the striker failed to convert. It was he who popped up for his side when it mattered minutes from time with an absolute howitzer for the winner. 9

Celtic Way:

Matt O'Riley: Deployed in his favoured position further forward due to McGregor's inclusion, O'Riley drifted in and out of proceedings as he was shut down at every conceivable opportunity in the opening period. He curled an effort into the hands of Kelle Roos midway through the second half. 6

Reo Hatate: The Japanese midfielder slashed one over the top and another wide of the target in the opening exchanges and earned a ticking-off from McGregor for misplacing a pass at one point. He then fired in a goalbound effort that was brilliantly parried by Dons shot-stopper Roos. He blazed another half-chance over the bar early in the second half. 6

Daizen Maeda: Arrived in the Granite City a World Cup finals goalscorer no less and his confidence levels will have been sky-high. While he chased and harried the Dons defenders very little was seen of him in an attacking sense. It was no real surprise to see him hooked at the interval for Liel Abada. 4

Kyogo Furuhashi: At one stage, Kyogo made a fantastic run to latch on to a McGregor through ball and, although he rounded Roos he couldn't apply the finishing touch as he looked to make it 11 league goals for the campaign. He was kept quiet in the first half and he missed an absolute sitter on 53 minutes when it was laid on a plate for him by Abada but he screwed wide of the target. He also volleyed wide of the post from Ralston's cross. 6

Jota: Sufficiently recovered from whatever niggle he was carrying during the break to take his place on the left wing and he tested Aberdeen goalkeeper Roos with an early curling effort inside 15 minutes as he looked to add to his tally of five goals in four appearances against the Reds. He was caught napping at the back post when Abada teased over a fine delivery and was otherwise pretty quiet. 6

READ MORE: WATCH: Callum McGregor's stunning Celtic match-winner

Substitutes

Liel Abada (Maeda 46): The Israeli winger replaced the ineffective Maeda at the interval to see if he could inject some life and a spark into the Hoops attack. He received a lot of the ball but got his angles all wrong when he was off-balance and fired high and wide. He forced Roos into a save with his foot not long after and was a livewire, causing the Dons defence a headache when he came on including forced Roos into a late diving save. 7

Giorgos Giakoumakis (Kyogo 72): The Greek striker was thrown on for the last 18 minutes to see if he could fashion a late winner. 

James Forrest (Jota 72): Evergreen winger Forrest came on for an out-of-sorts Jota in the closing stages in the hope that he could conjure up a bit of magic and seal all three points. It was his backheel that led to the skipper's winning strike. 

David Turnbull (Hatate 73): Given the final 17 minutes to see if he could spark Celtic into life and rescue a victory and he fired one into the arms of Roos. 

Subs not used: Benjamin Siegrist, Moritz Jenz, Aaron Mooy, Alexandro Bernabei, Bosun Lawal