A quick look at the FPC prediction league forecasts summed up our expectations. Few gave us a chance of scoring let alone taking a point from the game. We were short of some key players and had lost the last three games against Celtic by a 10-0 aggregate. Surely our best hope was to avoid embarrassment?
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McCall and Co had different ideas. We compensated for the weakened midfield by playing five ahead of a three man back line and gave the striking pair freedom to support as needed. Our ‘keeper made a fine penalty save and at the other end we converted the majority of chances.
The visitors had conceded only 16 goals in their 33 league matches before Saturday’s kick off and we managed to score 3 times. Motherwell are now second highest scorers in the SPFL Premiership. The usual niceties of the post-match managers’ interviews saw our man recognise the threat carried by the visitors but no reciprocal compliment came from the Celtic boss.
Results elsewhere also favoured us. Inverness held Aberdeen to a draw and we remain three points behind. The Dons have to visit Parkhead and Tannadice before we play the final game at Pittodrie. St Johnstone did us a favour with their win over United. The gap behind us has stretched to 7 points.
Although Stuart McCall has reiterated that a place in the Europa League is our target the route to a second successive runner up spot is almost open. We’re in for a fascinating few weeks.
Next week’s trip to Tannadice should offer another cracking game. A win will guarantee third place and a draw would come close. A big travelling support will help the cause.