REO GRANDE! Hatate winner blows Dons away and leaves Celtic with one hand on Premiership crown

Brendan Rodgers praised the character and mentality of his Celtic side after Reo Hatate’s winner saw them extend their lead at the top of the Premiership amid horrendous weather conditions.

Torrential rain and gale force winds battered Pittodrie before Hatate struck the game’s only goal after 78 minutes.

Seven points clear of second-placed Aberdeen with a game in hand, Rodgers insisted it was still too early to make any predictions over the destination of the title.

However, after a night when his team had to dig deep to inflict a first home defeat of the season on Jimmy Thelin’s Dons side, Rodgers was delighted with the determination of his players.

‘We had to showcase our attitude and mentality and everything we were saying before the game,’ he said. ‘Your body language, everything, this is the way it is up in the north of Scotland.

‘The rain, the wind is pouring in, our supporters are stuck in a corner with no cover, but we have to do it for them, do it for ourselves.

The Japanese star coolly slots the ball past Aberdeen keeper Doohan

Taylor enjoys the moment with Hatate after his perfect ball picked out the midfielder

‘The players showed a great mentality and a great bravery to still try to play how we want to play, and eventually we get a reward for that. 

‘The conditions were awful for the players to play in but I think by sticking to our principles and how we play, that’s where the winning goal came from.’

Aberdeen blew a glorious chance to take the lead through Leighton Clarkson moments before Hatate smashed his fifth goal of the season in all competitions. 

A superb block from Cameron Carter-Vickers then denied Ester Sokler a Dons equaliser.

‘The first half, we had comfort in the game, we took the ball through into the final third,’ added Rodgers, ‘but I think a couple of times we meant to make that final pass, but then the ball runs away and the wind takes it away.

‘But the second half, we were much better, dominated the game, controlled the game, anything played forward, we were there. 

It was just a case of sticking to how we play and what we know, and then obviously that’s where the goal comes from.’

Haililng the fine ball from substitute Greg Taylor which found scorer Hatate, Rodgers added: ‘It was a great team move and a wonderful pass when you track Greg’s movement and where he ended up, and then to make that decisive pass. 

Brendan Rodgers hailed the character of his team amid horrendous weather conditions

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin tries to console dejected skipper Shinnie

Hatate laps up the adulation of the travelling support after his 78th minute strike

‘And Reo, he broke the line, timed his run perfectly and it was a really, really good finish.

‘So, a fantastic team move, great pass by Greg Taylor and a wonderful finish.’

Win their game in hand and Celtic can stretch their lead at the top of the table to 10 points. Reluctant to make any premature predictions, Rodgers (left) added: ‘It’s still so early, 14 games, so there’s only just over a third of the season gone, but I said the other day that if we can get to seven points clear with a game in hand, then we’re in a really, really good place. But still such a long, long way to go.’

Aberdeen boss Thelin told Sky Sports: ‘Maybe a draw would’ve been a fair result. 

‘We know Celtic are quality on the ball but also our team was really disciplined and worked hard as a unit. In the form of chances, it was quite a tight and equal game.’