Celtic strike twice to earn victory over Motherwell in Lanarkshire

Celtic extend their three-game unbeaten league run with a commanding 0-2 victory over Motherwell at Fir Park this afternoon, leaving Ange Postecoglou’s side fourth in the Scottish Premiership and four points behind league leaders Rangers

Jota would fire the visitors in front early on before former Motherwell midfielder David Turnbull added a spectacular second minutes into the second half.

With Celtic controlling a comfortable two-goal cushion, Graham Alexander’s side were unable to mount a response in the second half.

It was a lively opening period of the game with both sides creating several chances on goal whilst playing an attractive brand of football.

The hosts would come close to the opener in the early stages with Joe Hart looking unconvincing at the back. Tony Watt’s quick counter-attack released Jordan Roberts on the right, before Boli Bolingoli’s interception allowed Hart to clear, but in a moment of hesitation, the goalkeeper mis-controlled the ball yards from goal and was fortunate to recover in time before Roberts could tap in the opener.

Minutes later, Celtic would come close to a quick response. Clever link up play between former Motherwell man Turnbull and Callum McGregor left McGregor in acres of space at the edge of the box, but the Celtic captain’s powerful effort sailed over the crossbar.

The visitors would open the scoring after 16 minutes. Kyogo Furuhashi’s interception appeared to have impeded Callum Slattery deep into the Motherwell half, yet referee Willie Collum waved play on, and Tom Rogic’s clever through ball sliced through the Motherwell defence allowing Jota to coolly slot his strike past Liam Kelly into the bottom left corner.

Referee Willie Collum was forced into a change midway through the first half after pulling up and seeking medical help from the side. Fourth official Chris Fordyce would be called into action in what was a bizarre moment of the game.

Celtic would double their advantage minutes into the second half. Former Motherwell Academy graduate Turnbull found space at the edge of the box and unleashed a spectacular curling effort into the top right corner, leaving Kelly with no chance in the Motherwell goal.

With ‘the Steelmen’ chasing the game in the second half, Graham Alexander’s side were denied a penalty after Kevin Van Veen’s effort ricocheted off the hand of Bolingoli. However, replacement referee Chris Fordyce looked disinterested despite adamant pleas from the Motherwell players.

Motherwell manager Graham Alexander voiced his anger at the ‘blatant penalty’ after full time:

““It was a blatant penalty; I could tell by the reaction of the players. We were in the box, we were ready to get an opportunity to score and it's a blatant penalty, the lad's just slapped it away. Getting a penalty against one of the big boys is rare for Motherwell.

"We don't get them, simple as. I've only been up here nine months, I'm still learning but learning quickly that it's easy to give a penalty against us but very, very difficult to give a penalty to us.”

Alternatively, Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou was delighted with his sides 2-0 victory at full-time:

“The main thing for us is to keep our heads down and run our own race.”

“We’ve been making steps forward; we are a lot more settled. All of the players have been here now for at least one month so we’re not throwing them in.

“I know that we will be a much better team as the season goes on. The players will get even more understanding and belief in what we are trying to do.”