Celtic's Mark Viduka and Henrik Larsson outlined the potential of their new double act with two goals each as Aberdeen were crushed at Pittodrie last night.

Australian Viduka is proving as dramatic a figure on the field as he was off it earlier this season when famously quitting the club within days of his initial December arrival.

He took his goal tally to four in two starts after 27 and 47 minutes to set the visitors on their way to what proved an emphatic triumph.

Viduka is belatedly fast rewarding Celtic for keeping faith in his ability during the stress problems which delayed his debut for the club for around three months.

Larsson, too, continues to make an impact alongside him and the talented Swede struck with headers after 70 and 73 minutes to seal the points.

In between Larsson's brace, Aberdeen were reduced to 10 men when Nigel Pepper's six-minute stay on the field as a substitute ended after a late challenge on Regi Blinker. They managed a Robbie Winters consolation but little else, leaving Celtic 10 points behind Premier League leaders Rangers.

Celtic found time for an 89th minute fifth when substitute Mark Burchill crossed for Craig Burley to net with a fine shot on the turn to complete the rout.

Afterwards Celtic head coach Jozef Venglos applauded Viduka for justifying the faith shown in him during his three-month period away from Parkhead. "I think his performances have shown we were right to persevere."

ABERDEEN: Stillie, Perry, Whyte, Smith, Jess, Newell (Pepper 66), Dow, Buchan (Notman 66), Wyness, Hart, Winters. Subs Not Used: Leighton, Anderson, Gillies. Sent Off: Pepper (72). Booked: Newell. Goals: Winters 79.

CELTIC: Gould, Boyd, McNamara, Larsson, Burley, Lambert, McKinlay, Blinker, Riseth, Mjallby, Viduka (Burchill 82). Subs Not Used: Brattbakk, Healy, Keogh, Corr. Goals: Viduka 26, 47, Larsson 69, 73, Burley 89. Att: 16,825.

Referee: W Young (Clarkston).