Aberdeen forward Adam Rooney refused to be downbeat after his side’s 4-1 defeat at Parkhead believing the result flattered champions Celtic.
The Irishman cancelled out Leigh Griffith’s opener for the Hoops before James Forrest gave Celtic a slender half-time lead.
A controversial Scott Sinclair penalty three minutes from time and an added time free kick from Tom Rogic ensured Celtic moved top of the Scottish Premiership with three wins from three matches but Rooney said: “Anybody who wasn’t at the game will look at the result and think we got battered but that wasn’t the case at all.
“We played well in spells. We didn’t start the game well in terms of retaining possession. They dominated but we had a game plan which was to frustrate them and limit them to long-range shots.
“That happened until Griffiths put one in the top corner. We got after them a bit and scored. Before their second goal was probably our best spell of the game as they looked a bit cagey.
“The two goals late on hurt and I’m not sure it was a penalty. The free kick one put a different reflection on the game but I think overall there were a lot of positives to take from it.”
The Dons have been Celtic’s closest league challengers over the past two seasons and they managed to take six points off the Hoops with two wins at Pittodrie last term.
Despite Saturday’s result, Rooney feels the Dons can push the Hoops all the way this season.
He added: “We have been beaten at Parkhead by three and four goals before and then have beaten them at our place.
“We just have to look forward to the next game against them. We have a break now, so we have to regroup, take any positives we can from the game and look forward to the rest of the season.”
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has not given up hope of adding to his squad before the transfer window closes on Wednesday.
The Dons manager has pinpointed a midfielder as his priority, with captain Ryan Jack having surgery tomorrow on a knee cartilage problem.
He said: “I’ll need to speak to the chairman. The budget’s spent. In certain areas we’re strong and Jonny Hayes and Peter Pawlett are coming back but the middle of the park, depending on Ryan and how long he’s out for, is an area I feel we need to react to and maybe worry about our budget later in January.”