3 talking points as Celtic hero Jota sinks stubborn Aberdeen with flag day stunner

Champions Celtic opened their Premiership title defence with a dominant victory over stubborn Aberdeen. With the league flag flying high above Celtic Park again, goals from Stephen Welsh and Jota earned an opening day three points for Ange Postecoglou 's side.

The centre-back's third minute header raised the possibility of a rout unfolding in Glasgow's east end but the Dons, although largely devoid of threat, proved a tough nut to crack for the men in hoops. Indeed, it took until just shy of the 75 minute mark for Celtic to find a crucial second. It arrived in the form a sublime Jota strike from distance that Dons keeper Kelle Roos could do very little about. Postecoglou's side didn't quite hit the enthralling heights they're capable of, but they still did more than enough to claim victory.

There was a familiar look about the Aussie's side - all of them were at Celtic Park last season - while for Aberdeen it was the complete opposite. Jim Goodwin has overseen wholesale changes but his first line-up of the campaign was hamstrung by Liam Scales' ineligibility to face his parent club.

Much of Goodwin's pre-match rhetoric focused on making Celtic uncomfortable, but their defending for Welsh's third minute opener could hardly have been more inviting. Matt O'Riley dropped a corner towards the penalty spot and the centre-back easily brushed Dante Polvara aside to head into the far corner.

From there it was Aberdeen themselves who found any crumb of comfort hard to come by. The Dons defended stoutly but were barely able to string more than two passes together at a time.

Greg Taylor taking up position in centre midfield for much of the half proved troublesome and it allowed Celtic to work the ball wide to Jota and Daizen