Mark McGhee's conclusion was that we were "outplayed, outmuscled and outclassed" by a blistering show from the visitors.He pointed out that, in that form, they would have won games against most of the SPL teams and that the result would have little bearing on the team's confidence against Nancy on Thursday.
Motherwell started with the same eleven that took three points from Easter Road but is was evident within the first few minutes that we were facing a quite different team in green.
Motherwell apply some second half pressure
Samaras stamped his authority on proceedings within the first couple of minutes and he continued to wreak havoc in our defensive line for the rest of the game.Neither Craigan nor Reynolds could cope with his height, physical presence or pace and within five minutes he had set up the first goal.He won the ball in the air and Celtic were able to deliver a cross to the unmarked Maloney at the far post.He had an easy finish.
A few minutes later Samaras, at pace, drove through the box despite the close attendance of two defenders and we were two down.
There followed a ten minute spell when it seemed that we might get back into the game though we still managed to concede to many slack passes.Goals from McDonald and a second from Samaras sent us into the dressing room four down.
Before he pulled the half time draw, Bill Dickie made a presentation to a representative of the Chooselife campaign.They had targetted the match to spread the word about suicide prevention.Without belittling their aims, there was the thought that a counsellor might have been needed in the home dressing room.
Amazingly, we were spared the loss of a fifth goal just after the resumption of play.Hammell's poor free kick in an advanced position failed to go beyond their first line of defence and only an attempt at over elaborate finishing prevented the fifth goal from the resultant breakaway.
To the credit of the players they kept the heads up and battled away.Lasley set up Sutton for our fist goal then Clarkson added a second.Two goals in as many minutes gave the home fans plenty to cheer but the momentum could not be sustained and Celtic closed out the game.
The second half performance will have restored some heart to the team after the first half mauling.We can only hope that Nancy don't produce a striker in the mould of Samaras!