KEY PLAYERS

CRAIG GORDON

It was widely believed that Celtic took a gamble last summer when they signed Gordon after the former Hearts and Sunderland goalkeeper had been two years out of the game with injuries. He was brought to Celtic Park ahead of Fraser Forster's inevitable big-money move to England, but the biggest compliment that can be paid to the 32-year-old is that the England international has not been missed since moving to Southampton. Indeed, many believe that Gordon at his best - and he has been at his best all season - is better than Forster. A fairytale return to the game has been capped by a return to the international fold, where he is vying with David Marshall for the number one spot with Scotland.

STEFAN JOHANSEN

Johansen was signed by Neil Lennon in January 2014 for a reported fee of £2million from Stromsgodset, but it is under fellow-Norwegian Ronny Deila where he has blossomed. The 24-year-old Norway midfielder, who played under Deila at Stromsgodset, came into his own earlier this term when moved up into an attacking midfield role. Johansen is the identikit Deila player. His desire, energy and pace with the ability to burst into the opposition penalty box is a feature of Celtic's play and his performances have earned him player of the year awards from Hoops fans and joint player of the year with captain Scott Brown from his team-mates with more accolades sure to follow.

LEIGH GRIFFITHS

The former Wolves striker has been a revelation in 2015. A slow start to life under Deila saw the 24-year-old often consigned to the bench or left out altogether - he did not feature at all in September - as the Norwegian chopped and changed his main striker. However, since the turn of the year Griffiths has notched 15 goals - including hat-tricks against Kilmarnock and Dundee United - to take his tally to 19 and bring him back to the attention of Scotland manager Gordon Strachan.

KEY WINS

Aberdeen 1 Celtic 2 (November 9, 2014)

After a sticky start to the season, 10-man Celtic went top of the Premiership table for the first time with a 2-1 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Dons striker Adam Rooney put the lively home side ahead, but Hoops midfielder Stefan Johansen levelled the scores before the break. The visitors were reduced to 10 men when skipper Scott Brown was sent off for picking up two yellow cards to provide a test of mettle. But Celtic came through with flying colours as defender Virgil van Dijk knocked in a last-gasp winner from a corner. It was the day that the 'Ronny Roar' was born as manager Ronny Deila celebrated enthusiastically with the travelling support after the game, which he continues to do after victories home and away.

Celtic 4 Motherwell 0 (January 24, 2015)

After losing their place at the top of the Premiership to Aberdeen, albeit having games in hand over the Pittodrie men, Celtic eased back to the summit with a 4-0 thrashing of Motherwell at Parkhead. Goals from defender Virgil van Dijk and striker Leigh Griffiths gave the home side a comfortable interval lead. The dominant Hoops stretched further away after the break with defender Mikael Lustig, back as a half-time replacement following two months out with injury, helping himself to a brace.

Celtic 4 Aberdeen 0 (March 4, 2015)

Celtic ended Aberdeen's 13-game unbeaten run in some style with a 4-0 thumping of the Dons at Parkhead. Although the gap returned only to six points over the second-placed Pittodrie men with a game in hand, it was a body blow to their the visitors' title aspirations. Derek McInnes' men had started promisingly but in the 37th minute Celtic defender Jason Denayer headed in the opener to dampen their enthusiasm. Griffiths, Gary Mackay-Steven and Johansen grabbed goals in the second half as Celtic turned the screw and took a significant step towards their fourth successive title.

CELTIC'S SEASON BY NUMBERS

85 - Points Celtic have accumulated with three Premiership fixtures remaining.

3 -The Parkhead club have played closest challengers Aberdeen three times and won them all.

4 - The number of successive titles Celtic have won.

58 - Games manager Ronny Deila has been in charge at Celtic since taking over last summer, winning 38, losing 10 and drawing 10.

19 - Goals top scorer Leigh Griffiths has notched so far this season.

78 - Premiership goals Celtic have scored to date.

7- The number of times Celtic played Dundee United in all competitions this season, with the Hoops winning five, including the Scottish League Cup final.