GLASGOW (AFP) - Shunsuke Nakamura produced another virtuoso display as Celtic moved to within three victories of their 41st Scottish title with a 2-1 win over third-placed Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

The Japanese playmaker set up Craig Beattie for the Hoops opener before killing the contest after just 20 minutes with one of his trademark free-kicks.

Aberdeen grabbed a last-minute consolation goal through Darren Mackie but Celtic had eased up by that stage, preserving their energy for AC Milan´s visit to Parkhead on Tuesday.

Celtic´s fans will be hoping for more of the same on Tuesday from Nakamura, the match-winning hero of their side´s defeat of Manchester United in the Champions League group stages.

And, on this evidence, the Japanese playmaker is in the kind of form that could give the Italian giants serious problems.

It was his wonderfully astute pass from the right flank that caught the Dons defence square after nine minutes and allowed Beattie to race clear before finishing confidently with a low drive past goalkeeper Jamie Langfield.

Aberdeen were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty when the ball struck the arm of Celtic centreback Steven Pressley inside the area, and the champions duly took full advantage of that let-off.

Dons skipper Russell Anderson brought down Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink on the edge of the area and Nakamura stepped up and deployed his trusty left boot to curl the ball over the wall and into the top corner.

Celtic bossed the match comfortably from then on with Aberdeen only briefly threatening in the final minutes of the first half.

Steve Lovell headed a threatening cross from left-back Richard Foster wide of the target, Barry Nicholson volleyed over the bar from the edge of the box and Chris Clark forced Artur Boruc into his first save of the afternoon.

The home side continued to push forward after the break but it was Celtic´s counter attacks that looked more likely to produce a goal.

Jiri Jarosik spurned a good chance after being teed up by Vennegoor of Hesselink in the 55th minute, the Czech midfielder´s attempted chip being palmed away by Langfield.

Boruc produced another good save to keep out a fierce shot from midfielder Scott Severin mid-way through the second period but that was the only time the Polish goalkeeper was seriously troubled before he had to pick the ball out of the net in the final minute.

A flick-on by Lee Miller presented Mackie with his chance and he took it well, driving his low shot just inside the near post.

There was no time left however for Aberdeen to generate the chance of an equaliser as Celtic extended their unbeaten league run to 26 matches.