SPFLSunday, October 27Fir Park, MotherwellMOTHERWELL… 0 CELTIC… 2(McCowan 27, Johnston 67, Idah 87 ) After a solid performance and a good result in Europe midweek, the Celts returned to domestic action today (Sunday) with a comfortable 3-0 win at Fir Park against Motherwell.With just under 10 minutes played, the hosts came close to opening the scoring. A loose touch from Paulo Bernardo allowed Lennon Miller to have a shot at goal from the edge of the box. The midfielder’s effort crashed off the post and safely away from the Celts’ penalty area.Miller then hit the woodwork again a few moments later. This time it was the crossbar that kept the score level as Miller went close from a free-kick.The hosts continued their positive start to the match and with just over 20 minutes on the clock, a cute back-heel on the edge of the area from Lennon Miller allowed Tom Sparrow to have a shot on goal. Kasper Schmeichel was equal to the effort, however, and gathered the ball with ease.Despite the early pressure from Motherwell, the Hoops looked lively in the forward areas, with McCowan, Johnston and Forrest linking up well on the right-hand side. And it was Luke McCowan who opened the scoring for the Celts in the 27th minute after he created an opportunity on the edge of the box. His good strike from outside the area arrowed in to the bottom left corner of the net and gave Brendan Rodgers’ side the lead.Just after the half-hour mark, it looked like Daizen had doubled Celtic’s lead after Alistair Johnston threaded a perfect ball through to him in the area.The Japanese forward, who was being pursued by Motherwell’s Stephen O’Donnell, looked like he was bundled to the ground, however the ball was deflected in to the net in the melee and it appeared to be 2-0 to Celtic. A VAR review, however, concluded that there had been a handball by Maeda, although after the penalty claim, and the goal was ruled out.Kyogo went close to doubling the Celts’ lead early in the second half after he got a shot away from inside the box, forcing a good save from Aston Oxborough. It was Alistair Johnston who was next to find the back of the net for the Hoops when, in the 57th minute, his excellent header after a pinpoint cross from Alex Valle beat the Motherwell keeper and made it 2-0 to the champions.In the 67th minute, Cameron Carter-Vickers made his return to first-team action after a spell on the sidelines as a result of injury. The Motherwell keeper was forced to make a series of saves in the 74th minute after some good attacking play from Luke McCowan and Nicolas Kuhn allowed Reo Hatate a chance to shoot. Adam Idah was brought on with 15 minutes left to play and almost made an immediate impact, his shot from inside the box deflecting off of the post. Idah made no mistake with his next opportunity which came in the 87th minute. Nicolas Kuhn’s cutback in to the area found the Irish forward who blasted home from close range to give the Hoops a three goal lead and secure the three points. There was yet more misery for the hosts, with Liam Gordon shown a red card in stoppage time for his challenge on Adam Idah. Luis Palma had the chance to make it 4-0 with the last kick of the match, however his effort from close range hit the side netting.The Celts’ busy fixture schedule continues, with a home match on Wednesday night against Dundee next on the agenda for Brendan Rodgers and his team.FixturesMotherwell Vs. Celtic – Sun, Oct 27th 2024, 15:00
Trending Now
