Motherwell lost 3-1 to Celtic despite opening the
scoring. The game turned on a penalty
decision in the second half.
The result hardly reflected the flow of the game but is was a
second consecutive loss for a Jens Berthel Askou’s team.
The absence of Stephen Welsh gave Tom Sparrow a starting
place at right back as Stephen O’Donnell moved in to the centre with Paul
McGinn.
Motherwell started well and controlled the early passages of
play with the usual passing game forcing the hosts to chase the ball. There was
early goalmouth action at either end.
Emmanuel Longelo was careless inside his penalty area but Nygren failed
to convert. Next, Eli Just caused
Sinsalo to panic with a tempting cross but a clearance followed.
Everyone in the stadium thought that Oxlade-Chamberlain had
scored when his low drive was palmed on to Callum Ward’s right hand post. The bounce resulted in the ball rolling along
the goal line for the ‘keeper to recover.
Celtic fell behind when Maeda was slow to clear at the edge
of his area. Just produced an accurate
low drive into the net to unleash joy in the away corner.
Unfortunately the lead was short lived as Motherwell’s
reluctance to punt from their own bye line cost dear. Sparrow’s misplaced pass gave Yang the chance
and after a save from Ward he had a simple finish.
Callum Slattery had a couple of efforts as half-time
approached. His free kick attempt flew his
then a shot from the edge of the box was dragged wide. Eli Just had been on the receiving end of
some harsh treatment and that was to continue in the second period.
The teams emerged from the tunnel to produce a frantic end to
end spell. The game was fast,
entertaining and even until VAR got involved with twenty minutes
remaining.
Longelo and Maeda came together at the far post following a
Celtic corner and the referee allowed the game to continue. After review he awarded a penalty and
Cvancara scored. Longelo was dismissed
and the game turned in favour of the home side.
Motherwell made every effort to get back into the contest.
Substitutions followed and a third goal was conceded when
Yang latched on to a long ball over the top of the ‘Well defence.
It was a cruel end to the game and means that Motherwell
remain in fourth place with a game against Hibs to come at Fir Park next
weekend.
Celtic 3 Motherwell 1
Attendance
Team: Ward,
O’Donnell, McGinn, Sparrow (McGhee 83), Longelo, Fadinger (Bjorgolfsson 77),
Watt, Slattery, Just (Nicholson 77), Said (Priestman 77), Maswanhise (Ross 90)
Saturday 14
March 2026
