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Rampant Aberdeen ensured Celtic would have to win the Scottish Premiership title on their own after pulverising Dundee at Dens Park.

If Derek McInnes' side had failed to win on Tayside the Hoops would have been crowned champions without kicking a ball.

But the Dons bludgeoned the Dark Blues, with defender Andy Considine scoring his first ever hat-trick for the club.

Aberdeen were 4-0 up at half-time thanks to his double and goals from Adam Rooney and Kenny McLean.

Dundee were booed off the pitch at the break with hundreds of home fans leaving the ground early in disgust.

But it didn't get much better for Paul Hartley's men after the interval as Aberdeen skipper Ryan Jack made it 5-0 after terrific work from Jonny Hayes.

The visitors were relentless in their pursuit of goals and Niall McGinn put them six in front before Considine's treble made it 7-0 - Aberdeen's biggest ever win over their hosts and Dundee's heaviest loss since an 8-1 defeat to Celtic in 1971.

The emphatic victory moved them 11 points ahead of Rangers in the race for second spot.

Ibrox boss Pedro Caixinha was in the stands last night ahead of their mouth-watering clash at Pittodrie next Sunday.

The Dons victory means Celtic will have to beat Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday to clinch the title.

3 Things We Learned:

Red hot Dons

What a game we're in for at Pittodrie next week as Aberdeen welcome Rangers. The Dons are on fire right now and watching Ibrox gaffer Pedro Caixinha will have been impressed from the Dens Park stands. Derek McInnes' side remain in pole position to finish second in the Scottish Premiership but with Gers improving under Caixinha we could be in for fireworks in the Granite City next weekend.

(Image: SNS)

Dire Dee

Dundee proved yet again why inconsistency will kill their season. It was only a few weeks ago they ran all over the top of Rangers at Dens Park. But here Hartley's players just didn't turn up and - despite Aberdeen's impressive display - the home side were woeful. They missed Marcus Haber up front but that was no excuse for their passive performance and in the end they could have lost by more. The Dark Blues still aren't safe from the relegation drop zone.

Dons duo prove their international credentials ... again

Without sounding like a broken record, surely Aberdeen duo Graeme Shinnie and Kenny McLean proved yet again last night why they must be included in the next Scotland squad? Both players were terrific and pivotal to the tempo of the Dons' play and their success going forward. If Gordon Strachan is keen to include the Celtic players in his side because of their winning mentality and confidence - the same can be said for the likes of Shinnie and McLean who are excelling at Pittodrie and are in red hot form.