Two moments of magic from Shunsuke Nakamura inspired Celtic to a deserved victory over Aberdeen and means they are just three victories away from a second successive Bank of Scotland Premier League title.

Nakamura set up Craig Beattie's opener thanks to a deft pass which released the striker to score with a well-placed shot, while the Japanese midfielder added a second courtesy of a trademark free-kick.

Aberdeen had a first-half penalty appeal turned down when Steven Pressley appeared to handle and although Darren Mackie pulled a goal back in the 90th minute, it was not enough to derail Celtic's charge towards the championship.

Aberdeen started positively, with Steve Lovell creating openings for Lee Miller and Mackie.

But the home side were hit with a classic sucker-punch by Celtic in the ninth minute.

Great play by Nakamura on the right wing allowed Beattie to race clear and the Hoops striker provided an excellent finish, driving a crisp shot across Jamie Langfield and into the far left corner of the net.

The Dons then had a penalty appeal dismissed despite the ball appearing to strike the arm of Steven Pressley in his own area.

But Aberdeen soon found themselves two goals down, when in the 20th minute a foul by Russell Anderson on Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink was punished to the full extent by the visitors.

Nakamura took control of the free-kick on the edge of the Aberdeen 18-yard-box and curled a superb shot into the top left corner of Langfield's goal.

Beattie continued to give the Dons all manner of problems and after a smart one-two with Paul Hartley in the 27th minute, the in-form forward fired over.

Celtic were in total control at this stage, with Nakamura and Neil Lennon dictating the tempo of the match.

But Aberdeen eventually put the visitors under some pressure.

With three minutes to go before the interval, Lovell headed wide from Richard Foster's dangerous delivery and then when Pressley and Stephen McManus both tried to head the ball clear, Barry Nicholson volleyed over.

Just before the break Artur Boruc produced a brilliant parry to push away a snap-shot from Chris Clark.

Aberdeen continued to push forward at the start of the second half, but the away side remained a constant threat on the counter attack and almost scored a third goal in the 55th minute.

Vennegoor of Hesselink linked up well with Jiri Jarosik and although the latter almost lofted a chip over Langfield, the Aberdeen goalkeeper stayed upright long enough to get a strong hand to the ball.

A minute later a foul by McManus gave Aberdeen a free-kick 20 yards from goal, but Nicholson's drive struck Anderson, before Michael Hart's cross was cleared by Pressley.

Scott Severin and Jarosik both had shots which were well saved, while just as Celtic looked assured of victory, Lee Miller's flick released Mackie and the Dons striker beat Boruc with a low shot.

But it was too late to inspire an equalising goal as Celtic recorded a victory which sets them up perfectly for their midweek Champions League last-16 clash with AC Milan.

Teams:

Aberdeen Langfield, Hart, Anderson, Considine, Foster,Nicholson, Severin, Clark (Maguire 49), Mackie, Miller,Lovell (Daniel Smith 79).

Subs Not Used: Soutar, Dempsey, Touzani, Winter, Daal.

Booked: Foster, Severin, Anderson.

Goals: Mackie 90.

Celtic Boruc, Wilson, Pressley, McManus, Naylor, Hartley,Lennon, Jarosik, Nakamura (Telfer 90),Vennegoor of Hesselink (Sno 64), Beattie (McGeady 73).

Subs Not Used: Brown, Miller, Gravesen, O'Dea.

Booked: McManus.

Goals: Beattie 9, Nakamura 20.

Att: 16,711

Ref: C Thomson (Scotland).