Scottish PremiershipSunday, October 5, 2025Celtic Park CELTIC…3(Iheanacho 28, Nygren 69, Maeda 90+3) MOTHERWELL 2(Stamatelopoulos 41 & 55) A late goal from Daizen Maeda gave Celtic a 3-2 home win over Motherwell this afternoon, on a day when the Hoops had to come from behind to claim all three points. Celtic started the match positively, and within minutes of kick-off, Callum McGregor found himself with a shooting opportunity from close range, but Motherwell keeper, Calum Ward made the save. Motherwell have started this season well and have earned praise for their positive attacking play, and with just over 15 minutes gone, they gave a glimpse of the threat they pose in the final third, as Stamatelopoulos was sent through on goal, but a brilliantly-timed slide challenge from Liam Scales halted the attack. The game flowed well, with both teams looking to create opportunities, though the Celts were the team who were dominating much of the play, and with 25 minutes gone, they were given an opportunity to take the lead after a handball from Regan Charles-Cook resulted in a penalty being awarded to Celtic. Kelechi Iheanacho, who claimed his first Celtic goal a few weeks back when he scored a late spot-kick at Rugby Park, stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way as he buried his penalty in to the bottom corner to make it 1-0 to Celtic. Undeterred by the Celtic goal, the visitors continued to push forward and look for opportunities, with Kasper Schmeichel forced to make an excellent save after Maswanhise shot from close range. Motherwell grabbed an equaliser with five minutes of the half to go after a cross in to the box from Maswanhise was turned in to the net at the front post by Stamatelopoulos, who had looked threatening throughout the first 45 minutes.Early in the second half, Motherwell were awarded a penalty of their own after Maswanhise went down in the box under a challenge from Saracchi. Stamatelopoulos got his second of the afternoon from the spot, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead. Brendan Rodgers made a triple change, bringing Arne Engels, James Forrest and Benjamin Nygren into the game and almost immediately, Nygren had an opportunity from 10 yards out which he fired wide of the target. The Swede had another chance moments later which the keeper saved, but with his third attempt on goal, he grabbed the equaliser. Motherwell’s goalkeeper passed it straight in to Nygren’s feet in the box and he fired it in to the net to make it 2-2 Lifted by that goal, the Celts went hunting for the winner, which came three minutes in to stoppage time. Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who had been brought on with 10 minutes to go, sent a cross towards the front post. Daizen Maeda stooped low and got his head to the ball, sending it in to the net and sparking brilliant celebrations amongst the home support. The visitors were unable to respond, and when the full-time whistle went, Celtic had a well-deserved win and go in to the international with another three points on the board. The win is also Brendan Rodgers’ 200th victory as Celtic manager, a brilliant milestone for the Hoops’ boss.
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