There were a couple of surprises for Motherwell fans when the team lines were revealed. Hammell (hamstring) and Bowman were missing and first time starts were given to Jack McMillan at left back and Ross MacLean in midfield.
There was never a doubt about the eventual result as Celtic dominated possession and lined up for attempts on our goal. But a classy goalkeeping performance from Samson and some determined defending kept us within a goal until the last 6 minutes.
Motherwell won the toss and failed to unsettle the hosts by switching ends. That we managed to reach the interval only one down was a tribute to Samson, a thick goal frame and a hideously crowded penalty box.
We set up with Moult and McDonald up the park and whenever the opportunity arose Cadden and MacLean supported. Early on Moult had a half chance with a volley at the ede of the box but his reward was a corner and that was pretty much our contrbution to entertainment at that end of the pitch.
Dembele forced Samson to full stretch with an 18 yard curler but before the midway mark in the half Forrest set off on a run from the left. Sinclair was on the end of his pass and his well placed finished beat the 'keeper.
Apart from a weak effort from Tait all the remaining action was at Samson's goal and our man produced a series of top class saves to keep us in the contest.
McDonald was replaced by Bowman when the team emerged for the second half and he won a free kick in front of the dugouts that let Lasley deliver into the Celtic area. A series of headers ended wih Moult'e effort into Gordon's hands. Our number nine had another chance following a fine run by Cadden but he fluffed the shot.
It looked like we might have earned a chance for a sneaky late point but a crazy hesitation between McManus and Samson allowed Dembele a chase to a ball wide on the right of the penalty area. He won the race and fell under the challenge of the 'keeper. The spot kick ended tthe contest.
Given our recent results this was a much improved showing. We blooded McMillan, MacLean, Ferguson and Hastie in a hostile environment and they stood up to the test. Cadden impressed and Samson was superb.
Celtic 2 Motherwell 0
Attendance 54,159
Team: Samson, Tait, McMillan( Ferguson 56), Heneghan, McManus, Moult, MacLean (Hastie 78), Cadden, Lasley, Clay, McDonald (Bowman 45)