Johan Mjallby celebrates opening the scoring

The young Dons were oozing confidence before this game but were swept aside with ease by last season's runaway champions.

Swedish international goalkeeper Magnus Hedman was left waiting for his Celtic debut as Robert Douglas continued in goal.

That meant they were unchanged from the side that defeated Dunfermline Athletic on the opening day.

Ebbe Skovdahl was forced to make two changes from Dons side that defeated Hibernian in injury time.

Derek Young and Ben Thornley failed morning fitness tests and that gave Chris Clark and Leon Mike an opportunity to start.

But it was Celtic who pushed forward early on, determined not to allow a repeat of last season's defeat.

Henrik Larsson, who scored twice on the opening day, headed just over from a cross to the back post from Momo Sylla.

But it took just over four minutes for Celtic to take the lead.

Bobby Petta's cross from the corner flag was flicked on by the head of Joos Valgaeren and fellow defender Mjallby poked the ball into the far corner of the net.

Aberdeen threatened themselves and Mike's low shot through a forest of legs was well smothered by Douglas.

The Dons defence were under pressure

But Celtic broke to the other end to increase their lead after 34 minutes.

Larsson led the charge and set up Petrov, whose shot from the edge of the box was cleared off the line by Philip McGuire.

It fell again to the Bulgarian midfielder and his chip to the back post found Sutton rising above McGuire to head home.

Petrov fired just over moments later as Celtic took command.

The game was eventually put beyond Aberdeen eight minutes after the break.

Petta sent a looping cross to the back post and Sylla rose above his marker to head home and leave the Dons defenders arguing among themselves.

It was almost four when Peter Kjaer was beaten by a Larsson shot that struck the outside of the post.

Lambert eventually made it even more convincing after 66 minutes as he was allowed time to twist and turn inside the Dons penalty box before side-footing the ball into the far corner from 15 yards.