Scott Sinclair's brilliant backheel finish edged Celtic past Aberdeen to win for the first time in three Scottish Premiership games.

The victory moves the champions up to fourth, and keeps them six points behind leaders Hearts.

Odsonne Edouard hit a post from long range in the first period for the hosts before coming off with an injury.

And Aberdeen's Gary Mackay-Steven was brilliantly denied by Craig Gordon when clean through.

The Dons had further chances but failed to score for the second match in a row, and have found the net just twice in their past five games.

• Saturday's Premiership action as it happened

A game that failed to ignite

For the past four seasons, these have been the two best sides in the division, but both began the day in mid-table and - like their starts to the campaign - this game never truly ignited.

There were chances for both teams in the first half, but not the quantity from Celtic that we have become accustomed to under Brendan Rodgers.

Fresh from signing a new contract, James Forrest shot over early on but the next big opportunity came 20 minutes later, when Niall McGinn jabbbed a Mackay-Steven cross just wide.

Edouard hit a post for Celtic from 25 yards and there was a huge shout for a penalty when the young Frenchman went down under a challenge from Scott McKenna. But referee Bobby Madden said no, even if Edouard required treatment for a dead leg, and was replaced by Sinclair soon after.

Aberdeen then had two big chances. The first came from a great run from Mackay-Steven but his shot was diverted wide. Then, from the resulting corner, Andrew Considine's header was cleared off the line.

Both goalkeepers were forced to field long-distance efforts but the breakthrough soon came. Sinclair had his back to goal when the ball fell to him in the six-yard box, but improvised brilliantly to backheel into the net.

The goal put a spring in the Celtic step, and Joe Lewis had to thwart a Leigh Griffiths free-kick, but Aberdeen remained a threat.

Michael Devlin got a toe to a Mackay-Steven free-kick but it flew narrowly wide. It was a huge chance.

'Sinclair sparks into life'- analysis

Sinclair's first campaign was nothing short of sensational. His second was good. But this season he has looked a shadow of the player he once was.

So the roar that went up around Celtic Park when he found the back of the net with an audacious effort had more to it than just the celebration of an important goal.

At his best he can be a player the fans truly love. Celtic will he hoping this strike not only brings a spark back to Sinclair, but the whole team.

'I'm really proud of the players' - manager reaction

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "I'm really proud of the players today. We're not scoring lots of goals as of yet but what's important is that you win."

"It's another rival we've played and got a win, we're still searching for that instinct to score more goals and be more creative."

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "I thought it was harsh on us, we were very good in the game. It was a performance full of attitude and belief and personality that I want my team to have.

"The goal is scruffy, it pops up in the air from a deflection. Normally you can apportion some blame to your players in the build up but I can't really, you've got to applaud Scott Sinclair's backheel."