Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said the Scottish Premiership title is "nowhere near done" after Reo Hatate's late goal downed closest rivals Aberdeen at a wet and windy Pittodrie and took the champions seven points clear at the top.

In a tight first half, chances were few and far between as tackles flew in and the conditions hampered both sides in the final third.

Luis 'Duk' Lopes had a low shot saved by Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, while Alistair Johnston's header was turned round the post at the other end by the midriff of Jamie McGrath.

Paulo Bernardo sent a wind-assisted corner sailing directly into the far corner of the net, but it was disallowed for a foul on Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan.

Celtic dominated possession after the break, but were repelled time and again by heroic Aberdeen defending, led by Slobodan Rubezic.

However, with time running out, a delightful pass over the top from Greg Taylor found Hatate, and the Japan midfielder rifled a shot into the bottom corner in what could already be a telling blow in the race for the title.

Ester Sokler had a big chance for the hosts to equalise soon after, but his shot was brilliantly blocked over the bar by Cameron Carter-Vickers after Auston Trusty scuffed his clearance.

"There are 38 games so it's nowhere near done," Rodgers said. "I understand people will look at it that way but for us there's such a long way to go.

"We're trying to get through the games, play well, but there's no thought of [the title] in the players' minds."

For large spells at Pittodrie, Celtic were frustrated by both the weather and the stubborn Aberdeen defence. Cross after cross was cleared and the wind made the champions' usual sharp passing play a struggle.

Champion teams find a way though, and that is certainly what Celtic are under Brendan Rodgers.

They continued to push players forward and dial up the pressure on the home side.

Johnston saw two successive goal-bound shots blocked before Hatate's effort was well saved by Doohan, then substitute Adam Idah's header looked destined for the corner until Doohan sprung to his right.

Taylor's pass was the moment of quality Celtic needed - a brilliant pick-out from the Scotland international - and Hatate, played onside by Nicky Devlin, nervelessly beat Doohan.

Not only are Celtic seven points clear of second-place Aberdeen with a game in hand, they are 11 points above rivals Rangers. Although it seems strange to say with 28 games still to play, Rodgers' side already have one hand on the Premiership trophy.

The past four games have been a real struggle for Jimmy Thelin's Aberdeen. Three games on the road produced just two points - a defeat in Paisley, before two draws in the capital.

However, back in front of their own fans, they stood up to both their opponents and the conditions superbly.

They played with intensity and bite in the first half, and had a threat in behind through Duk in particular.

It was their defensive structure and a willingness to put bodies on the line that stood out after the break, with Rubezic alone making seven clearances.

Leighton Clarkson scuffed a good effort wide after nice play down the right from Vicente Besuijen and Shayden Morris, but Sokler's chance was the big moment for Thelin's side to take points off the champions.

Yes, it flew over the top, but the way Aberdeen fought and went toe to toe with Celtic at times will hugely encourage both Thelin and the club's fans.

Play with that spirit and effort and their winless run will be over sooner rather than later.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "Maybe a draw would have 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.

"The players gave everything, we can't do more. They tried and tried and tried.

"I think the good thing for us is that the intensity was back, we are playing more like the way we want to."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "Fair play to the players, they were absolutely brilliant. That weather was as bad as I've had it, especially coming up here.

"I thought we deserved to win. It's a huge credit to the players to keep the concentration, to defend that well - especially those few moments at the end - I'm so, so pleased."