Motherwell 0-2 Celtic – A statement win for the Champions
A statement win from Celtic at Motherwell. Celtic put the disappointment of losing three successive games firmly behind them by comfortably beating Motherwell at Fir Park earlier today…
Camilo Duran opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a fine finish from outside the box, before Benjamin Nygren made sure of all three points by scoring from close range just before the hour mark, in a one sided performance in North Lanarkshire.
From start to finish the Hoops controlled proceedings, and if it wasn’t for Alex Paulsen in the Motherwell goal, the margin of the win would have been all that much greater. Celtic could easily have scored six or seven goals today as the players rediscovered the joy of playing for the finest team in Scotland.
It was a welcome three points after we were temporarily dislodged at the top of the table 25 hours earlier, but the performance was just as important, as it was a statement from the players and Martin O’Neill that we are well up for the challenge of retaining our title.
We can only wonder where this Celtic side have been hiding in recent weeks, as from back to front the Bhoys were simply outstanding, dominating a game that some would consider something of a potential banana skin.
Mika Baur in the middle of the park looks to be getting even better, and along with Callum McGregor they dictated proceedings in an area that’s been our Achilles heel of late.
Even the much maligned Sébastien Tounekti looked bright, as he linked up well with Kieran Tierney on the left hand side as they combined to great effect to trouble the Fir Park side on many occasions.
The welcome return of Jota was also a big plus, and the Portuguese looked like he hadn’t missed a significant period of football as he gave the well defence a torrid time in his short time on the field.
Both Dane Murray and Liam Scales looked assured at the back, when many, myself included thought that the centre of the defence would be our weak spot due to absence of the injured Cameron Carter Vickers and the benched Auston Trusty, perhaps with Lisbon in mind.
If we were to be hyper critical, we would point out the numerous chances wasted to further increase our goal differential but that’s not important after an outstanding Celtic performance.
What we watched earlier today was a welcome confidence boost to the players and supporters, and a serious statement from the Scottish Champions who are back at the top of the league, looking down on the Rangers…
Incidentally, should Celtic have had a penalty for handball? Plenty was said about the one we got here back in May for a clear handball. Yet today’s was dismissed by VAR and not everyone agreed that was the correct call. Have a look…
