Ange Postecoglou has named his first starting XI of December as Celtic return to Premiership action.

The Hoops are at Pittodrie as they look to return their lead at the top of the league to nine points.

Rivals Rangers' hard-fought win over Hibs on Thursday brought the gap down to six points with Celtic now facing a tough challenge against Jim Goodwin's men. New Ibrox boss will be hoping for the slip up that can breath fresh life into the race for the biggest trophy in the Scottish game.

But Postecoglou has every reason to be confident given his team's record this season despite what will be a testing fixture.

He said: "It is always a tough game. Even last year we won there twice but they were both tough games. I expect a tough game and you are right their home form is great. It has probably been missed by a few people but our away form is not bad either."

The Aberdeen boss is well aware of the quality of his opponents but is in no mood to lie down and get his tummy tickled. And the Irishman hasn't had to look too far for inspiration if his side are to get a result.

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He said: "We respect them as an opposition, they're a very good side and they've scored in excess of 50 goals this season already. But our home form has been excellent and we have won six out of seven league games at Pittodrie."

"We've scored the same amount of goals I think as Celtic and Rangers have done at home as well. Our defensive record which is something people have been quick to point the finger at us and deservedly so because our away record defensively has been poor, but here at home we've only conceded six goals."

ABERDEEN XI: Roos, McCrorie, MacKenzie, Stewart, Barron, Miovski, Duk, Ramadani, Clarkson, Coulson, Kennedy

Subs: Lewis, Morris, Besuijen, Hayes, Duncan, Richardson, Bavidge, Marshall, Ramirez

CELTIC XI: Hart, Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor, McGregor, O'Riley, Hatate, Jota, Maeda, Kyogo

Subs: Siegrist, Jenz, Giakoumakis, Abada, Mooy, Turnbull, Bernabei, Forrest, Lawal

Celtic Way:

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