Aberdeen fight back at Celtic to keep pace with Scottish champions

Aberdeen came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Scottish Premiership champions Celtic on Saturday, maintaining their unbeaten start to the season.

The point kept Jimmy Thelin's Dons level with Celtic at the top of the table after eight matches, six points clear of Rangers, who travel to Kilmarnock on Sunday.

First-half goals from Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi had appeared to put the home side on their way to an eighth-straight league win but replies from Ester Sokler and Graeme Shinnie hauled Aberdeen level by the hour mark.

There were disallowed goals at both ends during the top-of-the-table clash in Glasgow.

Both sides brought perfect domestic records into the game, with seven wins each in the league.

The opener came in the 24th minute when Japanese forward Furuhashi found compatriot Hatate, who swept home first time.

The same pair were involved as Celtic doubled their lead three minutes later, Furuhashi dispatching a loose ball.

The game turned five minutes into the second half on a wonderful through ball by Jamie McGrath, which sent Sokler beyond the home defence and the forward slotted into the corner of the net.

Aberdeen were soon level after Daizen Maeda's misplaced pass gave them possession deep in the Celtic half. They ultimately worked the ball to Shinnie, whose shot took a major deflection and flew into the roof of the net.

'AMAZING TEAM SPIRIT'

"I think we have an amazing squad and team spirit," said Thelin, in his first season in charge at Aberdeen.

"We have had some late winners this season, showing our never-give-in mentality. Also, the away support helped us to get this energy."

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers said: "We are disappointed. We had good control of the game in the first half. We could have had more goals. We get punished for a really careless period."

Neil Critchley enjoyed a dream debut as Hearts manager as they recorded their first league victory of the season with an emphatic 4-0 win over St Mirren.

Kenneth Vargas broke the deadlock following a slick team move, with Daniel Oyegoke, James Wilson and Blair Spittal adding further goals.

Dundee United scored twice in stoppage time to secure an remarkable 3-2 victory over Hibernian at Tannadice.

The hosts took the lead through Sam Dalby but Warren O'Hora equalised before the break and substitute Dwight Gayle headed the visitors in front.

Hibs had skipper Joe Newell sent off late on and Luca Stephenson levelled three minutes into stoppage time, before Meshack Ubochioma sensationally won it six minutes later.

St Johnstone beat nine-man Ross County 3-0, while Dundee edged Motherwell 1-0 in a scrappy encounter.