Aberdeen: Will 13-game winning run end at Celtic?

To say Aberdeen have not really been challenged in this run is over-simplistic and downright wrong, but it is true to say they are yet to face either of the Old Firm.

Celtic are flying similarly high domestically and only sit above the Dons on goal difference – a difference of 13 goals, right enough.

Brendan Rodgers’ side will be huge hurdle to clear, but the manner of victory over Hearts should give Aberdeen even more confidence, according to former St Johnstone boss Craig Levein.

“The more it happens, the more you believe,” he said on Sportsound. “Things didn’t go their way, and if there was any self-doubt, they wouldn’t have come back.

“They’re carrying a little bit of good fortune, but they’ve won and come from behind. They can only be talking positively in the dressing room.

“If you score late winners, it makes it even better the next time you take the field because there is more evidence behind you that you can be victorious.”

Aberdeen were second-best for large spells against Hearts but after Jorge Grant’s red card for a second yellow, the tide turned and a buoyant Pittodrie crowd – and some smart substitutions from Thelin – helped earn them victory.

“What made the difference for me was the firepower they brought off the bench,” Levein added. “Their back line is good, their goalkeeper is good and they have attacking options.

“The fans are fully behind this team, you could sense that from the start. Pittodrie was bouncing.

“There’s enough evidence with the results to date to make Jimmy Thelin think he can go to Celtic and have a go.”