Motherwell will be in
the east end of Glasgow on Saturday hoping to close the gap on Celtic.
This will be only the
fourth time in the league campaign that Motherwell have been set the task of
recovering after a loss. Last week’s
late concession at Dens Park ended a nine game unbeaten run and was the first
league loss in 2026. The hold on fourth
place remains with a seven point margin over Hibs in fifth.
Motherwell’s fine campaign was acknowledged with Jens Berthel Askou receiving a second Manager of the Month award. His previous jousts with Celtic have offered justifiable hope to the 750 ‘Well fans who will fill the away enclave at Parkhead. In October Celtic needed an extra-time goal to snatch a 3-2 home win and in the final game of the old year Motherwell triumphed 2-0 at Fir Park.
The game at Dens had
long spells of play in and around the home third as Motherwell tried to breach
the concentrated pack of Dundee defenders.
The Steelmen will likely be more comfortable facing a side that prefers
to attack and that should lead to a more open encounter. The thrusting runs of
Tawanda Maswanhise, Eli Just and others should pose problems for the Celtic
rearguard.
Martin O’Neill has
steadied Celtic nerves after a dismal December that prompted his return for a
second caretaker spell. One league
defeat in nine has them back in contention.
They have had a packed schedule with nine games in four weeks and that
has come with a cost.
A few key players were
missing from the cup tie last weekend and it is possible that they will remain
under strength on Saturday. Few
Motherwell supporters will offer any sympathy for a club that has riches beyond
imagination compared to those available to Askou.
John Beaton will be in
charge of this contest and he is likely to see a game that will flow from end
to end. There will be no thought in the
minds of the visitors for anything but a win and their determination may be
rewarded with a 2-1 success.
