A great defensive performance by the whole squad narrowly failed to sneak a point at Parkhead. It took Celtic eighty three minutes before they broke through to extend their lead at the top of the table.
The good news before kick-off was the return of four of the squad who were missing from the cup tie on Saturday. McCulloch, Kemble, McMillan and Strong all made the starting eleven and Billy Davies was able to field a more recognisable team with Studs in the sweeping role in a five at the back formation.
Early on it became clear that this was going to be one-way traffic. In fact Douglas had his first taste of the ball after ten minutes (he had a few more touches in the first half, all pass backs!).
All the play was in the 'Well half and Goram stood up well to the pressure. Kemble was particularly effective in snuffing Larson out of the game and Strong had several crucial tackles.
Anytime we tried to move the ball forward the move would break down without any threat.
The second half continued in the same way though we had our first shot just two minutes after the break. Spencer (who had more wayward passes than usual tonight) fed Lee McCulloch and the striker's half volley was well saved by Douglas. At last the two or three hundred 'Well fans had something to cheer about.
With twenty minutes to go we should have been one down. A great cross from their right wing was headed against the post with Goram nowhere - a lucky break. But the fortune ran out inside the last ten minutes when a clumsy challenge from Townsley was harshly punished by the award of a free kick just outside the box. Moravcic sent it well beyond the Goalie and that was that.
We had a spirited attempt to grab the equaliser but it never looked liked arriving.
The team was applauded off the field by the away support and despite Celtic earning the win, we have to be pleased with the way we organised and harried them at every turn.
'Well done lads.
Team:
Goram
Corrigan Strong Kemble Hammell
McMillan Leitch(S45 Leitch) Adams(S75Ramsey ) Townsley
Spencer McCulloch (S61 Elliott)
Subs unused: Connolly Nicholas
Referee J Rowbotham
Attendance 58,880
Celtic 1 Motherwell 0
21 February 2001