The reason Luke McCowan and Arne Engels were benched for Celtic’s win at Aberdeen

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Celtic’s win over Aberdeen sets up a commanding lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Bredan Rodgers travelled to The Dons knowing that Celtic faced a tough test at Pittodrie with Aberdeen boss, Jimmy Thelin’s men unbeated in 17 games in the Granite City.

Reo Hatate’s goal sealed Celtic’s Pittodrie win as Rodgers made four changes from the team that hammered Ross County at Celtic Park.

Celtic fans were unhappy to see Luke McCowan dropped but others were delighted to see Paulo Bernardo retain his place.

But that also meant Arne Engels had to settle for a place on the Celtic bench and speaking before kick-off, Brendan Rodgers explained his Celtic starting line up against Aberdeen.

Brendan Rodgers explains Celtic team changes vs Aberdeen

Rodgers told Sky Sports, “I’ve said, and I’ll repeat it, it’s to try and keep the energy in the team and the intensity in the game.

“I think that’s how we play, it’s how we work and you can only do that with freshness, especially in those attacking areas.

“So our pressing, having that energy to press the game, how we want to is very, very important. And then obviously, then that sparked off your work with the ball So the wingers and strikers, they are very important for us.”

Brendan Rodgers explains why Cetlic duo Luke McCowan & Arne Engels where benched vs Aberdeen

Alex Valle was another player who kept his starting spot after impressing in the Celtic win over Ross County.

And after being asked if Bernardo and Valle deserved to keep their Celtic places, Rodgers continued, “Yeah, but they’re all very good players.

“It’s just you look at each game and look at where you might need a certain profile of players.

“So, but like I said, the players on the side, they know that they’re ready to come into the game if we need them.”

The strength of Celtic’s sqaud was evident in last night’s win over Aberdeen. It wasn’t until the changes were made in the second half that the Bhoys made the breakthrough with Greg Taylor’s creating the assist for Hatate’s winner.

The cynincs would suggest that the team named to face Aberdeen was the wrong call as it took until the 78th minute to make the breakthrough.

However, 67 Hail Hail would suggest that the strength in depth that Rodgers has worked in his favour as he brought on fresh legs to break down a stubborn, but tired, Aberdeen side who now see their title challenge fritter away after a four-game winless run.