CELTIC SECURED at least second place in the Scottish Premier Division with their first victory in seven weeks, but would derive greater satisfaction from postponing Rangers's celebration of a ninth successive championship. Nine points and 14 goals behind with three matches remaining, the Parkhead side will go through the ordeal of watching their great rivals partying - but not today.

They are likely to be whooping themselves on Wednesday night if they reproduce the form of this match against Falkirk in the Scottish Cup semi-final replay at Ibrox. Aberdeen were reduced to nothing by Jorge Cadete's double and a goal from Simon Donnelly and it is difficult to see First Division opponents coping any better with a similar performance.

Tosh McKinlay provided the first two goals. With 23 minutes gone, the full-back launched a long, diagonal ball towards Cadete which dropped perfectly to the striker inside the penalty area. The Portuguese quickly clipped the ball with his right foot over the goalkeeper's right shoulder.

Early in the second half, McKinlay's cross from the left landed the ball flush on Donnelly's forehead and he headed home.

It was Donnelly's superb pass to Andreas Thom which led to the third. The German, left clear of the defence, saw Stillie rush from goal and pushed the ball inside him. Cadete came steaming up from behind and slipped it into the net.