How Celtic put themselves on the brink of a fifth straight title

Barring a turnaround of monumental proportions, Celtic look set to win this season’s Ladbrokes Premiership at home to Aberdeen.

The Hoops only need to take a point from the visitors this Sunday in order to hang onto their silverware.

It’s been a campaign where the Dons have run Celts closer than they might have envisaged and perhaps a little too close for comfort if you’re a Hoops fan.

However, it looks like the Glasgow giants will land five titles on the bounce, a magnificent feat for all involved.

Outgoing manager Ronny Deila may have failed to light up European competition with his Bhoys, but domestic trophies are still of paramount importance to the Celtic faithful.

Here at Ladbrokes News, we’ve picked out the milestone moments that have helped shape the season.

• Aberdeen 2-1 Celtic, 12 September 2015

Aberdeen maintained their early winning form in September when they came from a goal down to defeat holders Celtic in a top of the table clash at Pittodrie.

Despite going down to 10-men when Jonny Hayes was sent-off, the Dons rallied to take all three points courtesy of an Adam Rooney penalty and a Paul Quinn clincher, after Leigh Griffiths had given Celtic the lead.

Aberdeen led the way in the Premiership by two points and even had a game in hand over title-holding Celtic.

• Celtic 6-0 Dundee, 20 September 2015

Celtic swept aside Dundee mid-September to keep the heat on Aberdeen, who had gone five points clear.

Goals from Tom Rogic, Griffiths, Emilio Izaguirre (2), Scott Brown and Nadir Ciftci showed the Hoops’ intentions for the season.

• Aberdeen 1-5 St Johnstone, 3 October 2015

League leaders Aberdeen was left stunned by St Johnstone in October when they were put to the sword by clinical finishing from the visitors.

The Dons remained at the top of the table but had their lead cut to one point when Celtic beat Hamilton Accies the following day.

• Celtic 3-1 Aberdeen, 31 October 2015

Celtic were hitting their stride now and a brace from Leigh Griffiths helped them to a 3-1 victory over Aberdeen.

It was a Halloween horror show for Derek McInnes’ side and a decisive moment in the season.

• Celtic 1-2 Motherwell, Hearts 2-2 Celtic, 19 December 2015 and 27 December 2015

It was a Christmas miracle for Aberdeen as Celtic dropped points over the festive period. The Dons made up the ground and sat one point behind the Bhoys going into the turn of the year.

• Celtic 8-1 Hamilton, 19 January 2016

Celtic destroyed Accies at Parkhead to send out a warning shot to Aberdeen that the title was still theirs to lose.

Dons responded with back-to-back victories to keep the race interesting.

• Aberdeen 2-1 Celtic, 3 February 2016

A second victory of the season for Aberdeen over Celtic afforded the Dons renewed hope of mounting a serious challenge.

Goals from Jonny Hayes and new boy Simon Church pulled their side level on points with Celts, who had a game in hand.

• Kilmarnock 0-1 Celtic, 19 March 2016

Tom Rogic smashed home a last-gasp winner at Rugby Park to seal a precious win for Celtic as they re-established a four-point lead over Aberdeen who lost later that same day to Motherwell.

• Hearts 1-3 Celtic, 30 April 2016

It was only last month when Celtic all but wrapped up their fifth in a row with a gutsy performance away from home at Tynecastle.

The post-match celebrations told everyone all they needed to know about the relief Celtic felt, knowing they were a mere point away from the title.

What happens next?

Next season is sure to be as exciting as this year has been, with Rangers gaining promotion to the top-flight once more after their torrid years in the lower leagues.

Aberdeen are sure to continue their quest for silverware along with Hearts, who themselves have confirmed third-place status in the Premiership table this season.

And if Celtic can qualify for European football next season, there is sure to be added pressure on the Hoops to mount a serious defence of their title with all the extra football, and competition, to be played.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.