Joe Hart: 'Big Sacred' as he is now affectionately known because he just gets the club from top to bottom is undoubtedly the undisputed Celtic number one. He had to race from his box in eight minutes to deny the on-rushing Jonny Hayes. The fact that he plays so far out of his goal will always cause consternation and panic among the supporters. Breathed a huge sigh of relief and had a huge let-off when Hayes side-footed the ball past his upright when it looked easier to score. Untroubled for most of the match thereafter. 7

Josip Juranovic: The Croatia right-back got the nod over Anthony Ralston which will have been a tough call for Ange Postecoglou. He looked very sharp in the early stages and eager to impress. Both he and Greg Taylor were often deployed more as central midfielders and made very good use of the ball, the time and space they were given. Roos stopped his second-half piledriver or he could have bagged himself a goal too. 8

Cameron Carter-Vickers: His 2022 World Cup finals bid starts here. Carter-Vickers was a colossal and crucial presence at the back of the pack last season as Celtic swept to the Premiership title. He was beaten all ends by Bojan Miovski in the first aerial contest but more than got to grips with proceedings after that and rarely broke sweat. 7

Stephen Welsh: Postecoglou has justified his faith in the centre-back by stating that he has 'gone up a level' since returning in the summer. The Aussie shunned interest from French outfit Toulouse as he clearly feels that he can improve Welsh. Inside three minutes he got in between the visiting defenders to glance home a lovely header for the opener following O'Riley's corner to vindicate that decision and enjoyed a positive afternoon from then on. 8

Greg Taylor: He saw off the challenge of Argentine Alexandro Bernabei - for the time being - and has earned his place in the Celtic starting XI. The Scotland international benefitted greatly from being fed by Welsh whenever he strolled forward and tried to break the lines. He was building plenty of attacks in the first half and was enjoying himself no end. His use of the ball really was excellent. 8

Reo Hatate: Japanese playmaker Hatate is looking to win his fourth straight title and had looked really sharp in pre-season. He saw an early low effort saved by Kelle Roos after a great set-up play by O'Riley. He was always looking to spray the ball out wide to Maeda or play the killer pass at all times. He was the victim of a crude second-half challenge from the back by Ylber Ramadani before being subbed off. 6

Celtic Way:

Callum McGregor: Captain fantastic unfurled the league flag and then set about the Reds with gusto. Alongside Hatate and O'Riley, he was part of a midfield trio that all played with their heads up and always on the front foot. He did not neglect his defensive duties when called upon to do so and saw a second-half effort blocked. 7

Matt O'Riley: Denmark under-21 international O'Riley, like Carter-Vickers, was also launching his bid to be on the plane to Qatar. It was the midfielder's deft set-piece that picked out the head of Welsh to put the hosts 1-0 up in the third minute. The Leicester City-linked player is such a classy and elegant player, and his first touch is sublime. He is comfortable with a ball at his feet and he rarely wasted possession. What a ball he put across the face of the goal from which Kyogo slashed wide of the target and he brought out the best in Roos when he fingertipped his drive over the top and saved his second-half drive. 8

Jota: Celtic's Portuguese wide man was the scourge of the Reds last season netting four times against them - including two winners - and he displayed some real technical skills at times as he tried to tease and torment the Aberdeen defence all afternoon. The superstar personality lit up the stadium with a magnificent hit from 25 yards to clinch all three points. 8

Kyogo Furuhashi: Talismanic Japanese striker Kyogo is after Giorgos Giakoumakis's top goalscorer crown and fired in a drive that was saved by Roos. He then slammed one wide on the stretch following O'Riley's exquisite centre. He was energetic enough but he cut a frustrated figure at times due to the service up to him not quite being bang on the money. 6

Daizen Maeda: He hogged the wing at all times and swapped with Jota at will. He was fed constantly by the Celtic midfielders and he chased and harried as if his life depended on it. His final delivery into the box from wide areas could be improved upon but he is a defender's nightmare as he does not give you a moment's respite. 6

Substitutes

David Turnbull (Hatate 65): Replaced Hatate with 25 minutes left on the clock and displayed a neat range of passing and showed his manager that he can still kick it big time and is another viable option in the engine room. 5

Liel Abada (Maeda 65): The Israeli winger came on for Maeda to see if he could conjure up a second clinching goal. Got free down the flank a couple of times but his crossing let him down although Roos beat away a fierce drive from the angle. 4

Giorgos Giakoumakis (Kyogo 65): Out of sorts Kyogo made way for the Greek striker for the last 25 minutes and he made a nuisance of himself at all times and gave the Aberdeen defence a different sort of problem altogether. Stabbed an easy chance wide. 5

Anthony Ralston (Juranovic 82): Entered the fray for closing eight minutes

Aaron Mooy(O'Riley 82): The Australian was given an eight-minute debut run-out

Substitutes not used: Benjamin Siegrist, Moritz Jenz, Alexandro Bernabei, James Forrest.