Motherwell suffered a fourth straight league loss after a 2-0 home defeat to Celtic.
The visitors controlled most of the match as Motherwell struggled to find any rhythm. The loss of an early goal gave Celtic breathing room but any slim hope vanished on the hour with Benjamin Nygren’s close range finish. Alex Poulsen did well to keep the deficit at two.
Alfred Johansson left Tawanda Maswanhise, Ibrahim Said and Jake Girdwood-Reich on the bench as Willy Vogt, Dylan Levitt and Stephen O’Donnell started.
Celtic got the game underway after a tribute was paid to former club and Well Society chairman Brian McCafferty. The opening goal came inside the first ten minutes. Camilo Duran got the break of the ball just outside the penalty area and managed to get a low drive through the legs of Martin Moorman. Paulsen failed to reach as it hit the post and crossed the line.
An informal coaching session failed to inspire
A goal-line clearance was needed a minute later to prevent a double loss and Motherwell tried to settle. The balance of play remained with Celtic although Lukas Fadinger had a shot on target to remind the visitors to be vigilant.
Celtic pummeled the ‘Well defence after the break and Paulsen had to pull off a series of saves as Tounetki, Donovan and Tierney tested.
The second goal followed the breakdown of a rare Motherwell attack. The break gave O’Donnell a chance to clear but a poor touch gave Hogh a run in of goal. He fed Nygren and the ball was slammed high into the net.
Johansson threw on attacking substitutes but the few chances that came ended with poor finishing.
Motherwell have work to do if they are to return to the top half of the table and that task starts at Rugby Park next weekend.
Motherwell 0 Celtic 2
Attendance: 10,682
Team: Paulsen, Sparrow, O’Donnell (Girdwood-Reich 82), Moorman, Hodge, Longelo, Fadinger, Lowry (Maswanhise 82), Vogt (Said 59), Levitt (Kanga 70), Palmer-Houlden (Bjorgolfsson 70)
Sunday 11 October 2026
