Rodgers left furious over Gueye tackle as injury to Hatate puts a dampener on Celtic’s 5-1 cruise over Aberdeen at Pittodrie

A late injury to Reo Hatate took some of the shine off a convincing victory for Celtic over Aberdeen last night.

Brendan Rodgers was left fuming after a challenge from Dons forward Pape Gueye left the Parkhead midfielder limping, with an ice pack strapped to his knee, at full-time.

‘It was a poor challenge,’ said Rodgers, who was clearly incensed on the sidelines by the tackle. ‘The guy had lost his head a bit at the end.

‘He left his leg there and the player came right through him. We will see how he is.’

Rodgers was delighted, however, with his makeshift side as they ran riot at Pittodrie.

With one eye on the Scottish Cup Final against the Dons on Saturday week, the Parkhead boss made eight changes to the team which defeated Hibs last weekend.

Hatate was clearly struggling after the wild challenge by Aberdeen’s Pape Gueye

The Japanese midfielder had an ice pack strapped to his knee as the game was played out

Maik Nawrocki marked a rare start with his first goal for the club, the Pole netting with a header from a corner on 31 minutes.

Jimmy Thelin’s side drew level three minutes before half-time when Kevin Nisbet steered a header beyond Viljami Sinisalo.

Celtic retook the lead in the eighth minute of injury time at the end of the first period through Yang Hyun-jun.

The visitors turned on the style in the second half, though, with further goals from Luke McCowan, Johnny Kenny — also his first for the club — and Adam Idah, wrapping up an emphatic victory.

‘It was all such a high level,’ said Rodgers. ‘There were so many good performances, but collectively as a team we were outstanding.

‘We have a clear structure and the players know their roles when they came in.

‘We were really good throughout the team — from defence, to midfield and attack.

‘The front three created a lot and all across the team it was a joy to watch.’

Yang Hyun-jun’s goal on the stroke of half-time put Celtic ahead for the first time in the contest

Johnny Kenny’s first goal for Celtic wrapped up an impressive night’s work for the visitors

Rodgers was effusive in his praise of the contribution of Irishman Kenny.

‘We have seen that from Johnny since he’s come back in and trained,’ the manager added.

‘He’s an outstanding finisher and his run for the goal was good – and it’s a fantastic header.

‘You can see the joy everyone has for him and that was a dream moment for Johnny.’

James Forrest did everything but score for the 16th successive season, but Rodgers believes the veteran winger can yet get the elusive goal he wants.

‘James Forrest was so good for 90 minutes,’ he said. ‘You see his speed and how creative he was.

‘He was fantastic and just needs that bit of luck to get that goal.

‘Is he on penalties at the weekend? We shall see!

‘It will be a tough game against St Mirren but we want to finish strong and celebrate.’

On the fact he’d five different scorers on the night, Rodgers added: ‘I like the goals to be spread through the team. I don’t want one player to carry the burden.

‘There is creativity in the team and we have an attacking connection at a high level.’

The only crumb of comfort for the Dons is that they have now secured European football next season.

Dons manager Jimmy Thelin said: ‘We have to think what we have to do to be better the next time we play Celtic.

‘Celtic are a very good team. We created some chances and won some balls high up the pitch. When they arrived in our box they were good, but we have to be better.’