Ramon Vega grabbed a dream debut double for his new club as Celtic stepped up their push towards the Premier League title with an impressive 6-0 victory over Aberdeen at Parkhead. Swedish striker Henrik Larsson also had a day to remember as he helped himself to a brilliant hat-trick while young substitute Jamie Smith had the final word in the closing minutes. Ironically, Swiss international defender Vega might not even have played had he not completed his move from Tottenham but he showed just how determined he is to grab his new beginning with both hands.

The day belonged to the Swiss star and Neil Lennon could not have wished for a better introduction to the home fans after his move from Leicester.

The pair's arrival provided a freshness in the side as manager Martin O'Neill looks to assemble a squad that can rival that of their Old Firm rivals Rangers. But this impressive display sees Celtic enhance their title aspirations and it is them who are in the driving seat as the win puts them 13 points clear of Dick Advocaat's champions.

The home side, buoyed with the sight of Morten Wieghorst in the directors box, after leaving hospital following serious illness, made the best possible start with a goal in only the fourth minute and Lennon played a key role in the build-up.

The former Leicester midfielder found Alan Thompson, who in turn played an inch-perfect pass through to Bobby Petta on the over-lap and he crossed to Larsson, who fired home at the near post.

Aberdeen were lucky not go further behind in the 16th minute when Petta skipped past the challenges of two Aberdeen defenders and his ball screwed across the face of goal with no Celtic player able to take the chance. But in the 19th minute Vega grabbed the goal he must have dreamt about as Thompson's free-kick eluded the Aberdeen defence and the defender was on hand to stab the ball home at the far post.

Celtic refused to relax and in the 21st minute Thompson put the ball just over with a back-heel after Larsson has knocked Petta's ball into the midfielder's path.

Johnson was then presented with a chance to put the result beyond any doubt when he found himself through on goal, but he blazed just over with only Ryan Esson to beat.

Vega was obviously causing Aberdeen problems with his aerial threat from set-pieces and in the 26th minute he almost grabbed his second when he got on the end of another Thompson free-kick, but he headed just wide of the mark.

Celtic were almost caught ball watching in the 32nd minute when Robbie Winters' tame cross found its way through to Cato Gunveit but the midfielder fired straight at Robert Douglas.

The impressive Petta then showed a quick turn of pace again in the 32nd minute but his cross was cut out by Esson in the Aberdeen goal with Larsson lurking with intent.

Johnson was again guilty of spurning a good chance when Larsson found him in space in the area, but his effort was saved low by the busy Esson.

Petta had the visiting defence back-pedalling again in the 50th minute and he found Johnson in space at the far post, but he was unable to find the power to beat Esson, who saved.

Celtic eased off the gas and almost paid the price in the 53rd minute when first Douglas had to save low to deny Andy Dow and again to keep Winters' close-range effort out.

Didier Agathe was on a high after his late winner last week and he came within inches of killing the game off in the 71st minute. The Frenchman skipped past the challenge of Philip McGuire before firing a fierce shot that flew just past the upright.

Larsson was guilty of missing a good chance in the 74th minute as he had two attempts to shoot after a ball from Johnson but screwed his last effort wide. But the Swedish striker made amends three minutes later when he took Johnson's pass in his stride before firing low past Esson.

Larsson, however, had not finished and in the 79th minute he completed his hat-trick when he struck an unstoppable drive into the top corner for his 27th goal of the season. But Vega had the last word on a dream debut as he headed home Thompson's cross to leave Aberdeen devastated.

Thompson deserved a goal for his display and he could not have wished for a better chance in the 83rd minute when Johnson found him in the box but he somehow fired wide.

Young substitute Jamie Smith came off the bench to have the final say as he coolly slotted home with just minutes on the clock to send the majority of the 60,013 fans home happy.