CELTIC players were determined to make a "statement" by seeing off Aberdeen and taking a massive step towards the SPFL Premiership title, Gary Mackay-Steven has revealed.

The midfielder was one of their four scorers in a 4-0 rout at Parkhead, a result which gave the defending champions a six point lead in the table with a game in hand.

Aberdeen's aspirations crumbled as Jason Denayer's first half goal was followed by three more after the break from a Leigh Griffiths penalty, Mackay-Steven and Stefan Johansen. Celtic dominated the second half despite a widespread belief that they would feel fatigue after playing in Milan on Thursday night. Mackay-Steven praised Aberdeen's season but said Celtic had wanted to make a statement confirming their domestic superiority.

"I think so. Aberdeen have been on a great unbeaten run and they're second for a reason. But we know the quality in the dressing room and we showed that today. I think it was a big statement. Every game for Celtic is big but this was a top-of-the-table clash. There is plenty of the season left - we're only in March - but so far, so good," he said.

"Can we go unbeaten for the rest of the season? I don't see why not. Aberdeen are second and we've just run out 4-0 winners against them. The club is used to winning, there is definitely a winning mentality in the dressing room. Second best is no use at Celtic."

Manager Ronny Deila said the injuries which resulted in Kris Commons and Stuart Armstrong being withdrawn - for a hamstring and a pulled muscle respectively - were not serious although both may miss Wednesday's home game against St Johnstone.

"I am so happy for the performance and the result and I am proud for the boys. It is so hard to play so many games like we are now. We didn't arrive in Glasgow until 3 o'clock on Friday morning and that is a tough one when you are going to play two days later," said Deila.

"You could see that in the first half when we struggled to get the tempo in their legs. Aberdeen were really good as well, they were really fresh and offensive, pushed us back and caused us problems,. But we got the goal and that gave us energy and in the second half there was only one team on the pitch and we could have won more.

"We wanted it too much. In the second half we were disciplined and organised and balanced and moved the ball quicker and they couldn't cope with the runs we had behind them."

Manager Derek McInnes argued that Aberdeen should have had a penalty for a Nir Bitton handball at 1-0, but admitted Celtic were convincing winners. "At 2-0 Celtic were in complete control of the game and took full advantage of our desperation to get back into it. We didn't keep our discipline or shape and I felt we unravelled and were really untidy with our work," he said.

"They exploited that because they are a good team and showed exactly why they're top of the league. There is a lot to like about my team, I am not going to be too critical. I am always looking to improve them. Sometimes you have to go through disappointments to get stronger.

"Nobody could say our approach and mentality wasn't spot on and we set about the game and got on the front foot. But when the penalty came at 2-0, Celtic have got players who can test your organisation and discipline and I felt we got done in the wider areas because we were too eager to come in and win the ball back and take ourselves out our slots and Mackay-Steven scored a great goal to get the third and we were untidy after that.

"We have a young team and I think the last disappointment was the semi final against Dundee United where the performance wasn't too bad, but again we lost a goal from a set-play.

"There are things we can improve on, areas we must improve to make the next step. But I'm not going to sit here and be critical of my team. The fact you guys are here and excited about the game in March is because of their efforts and that shouldn't be forgotten."