Jota helps get Celtic off to winning start with routine victory over Aberdeen

Jota provided a moment of magic as Celtic began the defence of their cinch Premiership title with a comprehensive 2-0 win over Aberdeen at Parkhead.

Centre-back Stephen Welsh headed in the opener in the third minute of and Ange Postecoglou’s side dominated thereafter, although their superiority waned towards the end of the first half.

Portuguese winger Jota sealed the win in the 75th minute with a terrific strike and in the end it was a comfortable enough victory against Jim Goodwin’s new-look Dons side, whose threat was only occasional.

The afternoon had started with cheers when captain Callum McGregor unfurled the league flag before kick-off at a packed Celtic Park.

The Hoops line-up featured no new faces, but Goodwin has overhauled his squad from last season, although he could not play on-loan Celtic defender Liam Scales.

Left-back Hayden Coulson came in for his Aberdeen debut, while, goalkeeper Kelle Roos, Jayden Richardson, Anthony Stewart, Ylber Ramadani and Bojan Miovski all made their first Premiership appearances.

But the visitors went behind from the first corner of the game.

Welsh rose highest in the Dons area to glance in Matt O’Riley’s delivery from the right and it looked as if it could be a long day for the visitors.

Hoops midfielder Reo Hatate tested Roos with a long-distance effort in the 10th minute, then the Pittodrie keeper made a better save from striker Kyogo Furuhashi’s powerful drive.

Celtic harried and chased and would not allow Aberdeen to settle.

In the 24th minute Furuhashi stretched to knock a pass from O’Riley past the far post before Dons defender Stewart blocked a goal-bound shot from the Japan striker at close range.

Roos then tipped a drive from O’Riley over the bar for a corner which