Glasgow | Celtic players lift the mood slightly with dramatic win
Celtic 3 - 2 Motherwell
Daizen Maeda’s stoppage-time header gave Celtic a late win after they were pushed to their limits by Motherwell
Author | Sean M
Stadium | Celtic Park
Maeda rose to meet substitute Michel-Ange Balikwisha’s cross from close range, sparking scenes of relief and celebration among an anxious home crowd.
Jens Berthel Askou’s side will feel they let a rare opportunity slip, having led as they chased a first win at Celtic Park in more than ten years.
Brendan Rodgers had sought answers to Celtic’s recent lack of goals, and although his team created several promising chances, their breakthrough came from the penalty spot. Callum McGregor’s strike from the edge of the area struck Regan Charles-Cook’s arm, allowing Kelechi Iheanacho to calmly convert.
Celtic then handed Motherwell a route back into the game when Anthony Ralston gave the ball away cheaply. The visitors broke quickly, with Tawanda Maswanhise’s pinpoint cross turned in by Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.
READ MORE | Celtic fans share criticism after Braga defeat
The hosts appeared unsettled, and matters worsened when Marcelo Saracchi’s challenge on Maswanhise was deemed a foul following a VAR review. Stamatelopoulos stepped up to smash home his second, sending the travelling fans into raptures.
Celtic toiled for a response and were eventually gifted a lifeline. A poor attempt to play out from the back saw goalkeeper Calum Ward pass straight to Benjamin Nygren, who made no mistake.
As time ticked away, it seemed the hosts would have to settle for a draw, but Maeda’s late intervention clinched victory, breaking Motherwell hearts and offering Rodgers a platform on which to rebuild momentum.
Not all fans were happy despite the win...
Jon: Another escape act. Callum McGregor doesn’t look fully fit and Kasper Schmeichel should have done better for the first goal. There needs to be serious investment in January or Hearts could run away with the league.
Pete: We’re in poor form right now. Too many players are off the pace. But it’s another win and another three points towards the title, and you can’t complain about that.
Dave: This Celtic team are winning matches but covering deeper problems. There’s a real lack of ideas on the pitch.
Aimee: A scrappy performance and still not quite clicking, but important that we showed character to dig out the late win. Morale should be lifted after that, though the upcoming break could stall any momentum.
Callum: Celtic created openings against a well-organised Motherwell side, but they’re still missing the ruthless edge that made the difference last season.
Jon: A patchy display but some encouraging signs from the new players.
Tim: A determined effort to keep pushing for the full 90 minutes. The midfield isn’t linking up with the attack and we’re still not fluid, but Motherwell were sharp and organised. Promising signs, though the next three games will be decisive.
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