CELTIC gave their supporters a feeling of deja vu in its queasiest form when they failed, as they did frequently last season, to take advantage of Rangers' slip the day before.

The victory at Tynecastle which would have taken them to the top of the Premier Division on goals difference was within touching distance when they conceded the stoppage time equaliser which kept them in their more accustomed place. The draw, it should be said, was no more than Hearts, like Aberdeen at Ibrox, deserved on the balance of play.

But Celtic, having established a two goal lead, appeared guilty of complacency after van Hooijdonk had completed his double early in the second half. The nonchalance, strangely, was to be found in the Parkhead side's attack. They frequently failed to capitalise on good positions behind the home defence during a period when Hearts looked generally aimless at the other end of the field.

The Tynecastle team, who had the better of the first half but still managed to trail at the interval, should have been galvanised by Cameron's goal within seconds of van Hooijdonk giving Celtic their 2-0 lead.

But their final ball into the area gave young Kerr, making his competitive debut in the visitors' goal, no problems. It was the substitute, Bruno, who finally delivered the high cross from the right which eluded everyone except the towering McPherson, who stretched his neck as he fell forward, like a cut down tree, and headed the ball to the right of Kerr from 10 yards.

Van Hooijdonk's low right foot drive from a similar distance after Donnelly had dummied Di Canio's centre from the right had given Celtic the lead and his volley from Wieghorst's downward header should have been enough to secure the three points.

But, directly from the restart, Paille released Cameron on the right side of the area and the little midfielder's low drive crossed the line after hitting the inside of the far post.

The match was an almost uncanny reproduction of Rangers' 2-2 drawing with Aberdeen on a day when Paula Gascoigne seemed to be the feature event. Whatever else may be said of Gascoigne, he seems unquestionably to be diminished whenever he is called upon to control his temperament.

Without the complete, manic commitment, he becomes no more effective or important than any other player in the Rangers team. He had to play with his arms at his side: against Aberdeen and, apart from his brilliant goal from a free kick, another little dink saved by Walker and an early hand in the move leading to Laudrup's goal, the England midfielder was about as intrusive as a wall flower.

It is a peculiar dilemma for Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, who realises that the tempestuous energy Gascoigne brings to his normal endeavours can lead to trouble and that anything less reduces his effectiveness.

It is reasonable to hypothesise that Aberdeen would not have enjoyed the superiority they did for much of the match at Ibrox had Gascoigne not been influenced by the events of the previous few days to rein in his natural aggressiveness.

As it was, the Pittodrie side still did not match Rangers' achievements in relation to the periods of the match in which they were in control. In fact, the Scottish champions only imposed themselves authoritatively for about a 15 minute spell in the first half, during which they scored twice.

Had Aberdeen managed a similar goals to ascendancy ratio, they would have won handsomely. There was a lack of composure among some of their forward players when they skirmished around Snelders which contrasted with the menacing authority of the home players when they were given the same opportunities.

Even if Rangers did not dominate, the Aberdeen goalkeeper, Walker, had to make several important saves.