“It’s a game that we looked more likely to win for long spells so we are very disappointed.

“The performance was what I expected from the team, we went up against Celtic and restricted them to very little. We created a lot of chances and good opportunities and we never made the most of them which is disappointing for us.

“Celtic will feel that they have been in a game today but we want to be doing more than that, we want to make sure that these are the types of games that we go out and win so naturally we are very disappointed.

“Anytime that you lose a game so late on especially from a set-play makes the disappointment even worse and for us it is definitely a missed opportunity.

“I don’t want to hear that ‘we must take positives from this game’ because of course my team were good and there didn’t look to be any difference between the teams for long spells but I know that already, I know that we are a good team. I don’t really want to just throw out all the positives as the biggest feeling is a missed opportunity and one of disappointment.

“We have got to take responsibility for a few things that have happened but a few things went against us in the build-up to their goals. We felt that it was a foul on McGinn on the halfway line in the build up to the first goal and it’s a goal kick for the first corner that they were given and as a consequence they score from that.

“We have been let down a wee bit on that side of it but all of the responsibility doesn’t go on the two decisions. They were a factor in both goals that have ultimately lost us the game but I feel this is a missed opportunity for us to take the team forward, hopefully we win games like that in the future.

“Regardless of the fact that the corner shouldn’t have been given we have still got to go and deal with that, for Van Dijk to score with the ball at his feet isn’t good enough.

“The players gave so much today so I am as disappointed for them as much as I am for anyone else, they have worked hard all week in preparation and have applied themselves brilliantly in the game, they have done everything that I expected of them but when games are tight there is a thin line between winning and losing.

“You have got to credit Celtic too, even if they are down to ten men or nine men they always believe that they can win the game.”

The manager confirmed that Shay Logan was red carded after the game.

“He is a good kid and went through a lot, he is just disappointed that we have lost the game but I thought he was absolutely fine throughout the 90 minutes.”

Derek McInnes also confirmed that Willo Flood is likely to be out for a little while after limping off after nine minutes.

“Willo has torn his hamstring so he will be out for a while too, it looks like it will be a good few weeks.”

“Willo has torn his hamstring so he will be out for a while too, it looks like it will be a good few weeks.”