CELTIC have put Aberdeen behind the eight-ball -and almost needing snookers - with their 2-1 victory over Dundee.

The result - courtesy of goals from Gary Mackay-Steven and Virgil van Dijk - allowed Ronny Deila's side to extend their advantage over the Dons to eight points with just five games to go.

The Hoops now need only another eight points to cross the finishing line and collect their fourth title in a row.

Added to the League Cup already in the trophy room, that would equate to an acceptable first season for the Norwegian manager.

However, given that Celtic finished 29 points clear of the chasing pack - then led by Motherwell - last term, it could be argued they are going backwards.

What can't be ignored, though, is the improvement in the Dons this season. They have kept Celtic's season

honest with their dogged determination to maintain the standards demanded by Derek McInnes.

But winning is all that matters, no matter how easily or early it is achieved, and there can only ever be one champion.

Celtic's coronation is coming closer, and supporters can only but imagine what special

Ronny Roar is being reserved for that day.

In the meantime, the Hoops boss is determined not to allow the season to fizzle out in the wake of the controversial Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Inverness last weekend when the Treble yell was silenced.

Deila recognises the need to keep his Bhoys focused and fully functioning, and utilising his squad in the final few games will be a key tool in achieving this.

The absence of Stefan Johansen - a virtual ever-present this long season - was the first shock to greet the Hoops fans as they trooped into Dens Park.With Kris Commons starting on the bench, it was certainly a bold starting

selection by Deila.

However, it is fair to assume the sight of Celtic lining up without two of their most important players this

campaign would have been greeted with smiles from the home side.

They had already cast their minds back to the start of the season when they held the Hoops to a 1-1 draw at the same venue.

Deila described the performance that day as the worst he has seen from his side in any of the 10 months he has been in charge.

Of course, the Hoops have been back to Dens and made amends with a comfortable Scottish Cup victory in February.

However, they were in their pomp on that occasion. The circumstance was very different this time, as they were

coming off the back of a psychologically-damaging semi-final defeat.

Scott Brown and Co. were still coming to terms with that bitter blow, and knew all eyes were on how they would respond.

Mind you, with a comfort-able lead in the title race going into this Dundee triple header - they are at Tannadice on

Sunday, then Paul Hartley's men visit Celtic Park a week tomorrow - there was no reason for panic.

Quite simply, time - and games - are running out for Aberdeen in what has been a season of transition for the Hoops.

They only need to hold their nerve, and the opening goal from Mackay-Steven helped settle any which might have been jangling at Dens.

The winger had been afforded the warmest of welcomes at the ground across the road from where he made his name.

The Dundee fans - analysing everything for any perceived official bias or inconsistency -were incensed when he won the free kick which led to the opening goal in 32 minutes.

Referee Calum Murray initially allowed play to continue after Thomas Konrad had brought him down.

But, as no advantage resulted, Murray called play back, to the chagrin of the home support.

Stuart Armstrong flighted the free kick diagonally to the far side of the area, where Van Dijk nodded it back towards Mackay-Steven on the edge of the box.

He took one touch to tee it up, then smashed his shot high into the postage stamp corner, at which point the Hoops' fans' cheers drowned out the boos from the Dundee fans.

Deila had good reason to be pleased, having made the call for James Forrest and Mackay-Steven to switch wings

midway through the first half.

The manager has predicted that fit-again Forrest could yet be a key player for him this season.

And it was clear the 23-year-old was determined to make amends for being the man sacrificed when Craig Gordon was red-carded at Hampden at the weekend.

He had a claim for a penalty when Willie Dyer challenged him as he went for a loose ball in the area, and even won a header which set up Leigh Griffiths for an early go at goal which ended up in the side netting.

Forrest again opened the door for Griffiths early in the second half, but this time his shot was saved by Scott Bain.

Had the striker executed his pass more accurately just before the break, Forrest would have had an even better chance right in front of goal.

How Celtic would have appreciated adding to their lead at that point as 1-0 is never a guarantee of points, and Dundee are a side who never allow them to feel they are in total control.

The home side - deprived of the services of Paul McGowan because kick-off was beyond his curfew - are celebrating their top-six qualification, and have improved impressively as the season has progressed.

They still need more of a cutting edge, however, and never really threatened Gordon's goal until Jim

McAlister popped up with a cool finish two minutes from time.

Prior to that, the most they could muster was a hopeful penalty shout when Greg Stewart went down as he

tussled for the ball with Jason Denayer and a Luka Tankulic chance late on which was cleared by Van Dijk.

But, as Celtic will tell them, spot kicks are harder to come by than that. That said, when you have Van Dijk in your

armoury, who needs a penalty.

After Armstrong was brought down 21 yards from goal on 62 minutes, the Dutch defender defied those who said Sunday's set-piece goal was a fluke by repeating the feat, this time without the need for a post to see it - and Celtic - safely over the line.