Motherwell 2–0 Celtic
By Callum McFadden at Fir Park
Motherwell produced a commanding performance at Fir Park to deepen Celtic’s woes, consigning Wilfried Nancy’s side to a fifth defeat in seven matches and increasing the pressure ahead of an impending clash with Rangers.
Both sides rang the changes ahead of kick-off, but it was Motherwell who settled quickest and asserted themselves from the outset. Celtic looked uneasy from the first whistle and were punished inside the opening 15 minutes. A lapse in concentration from a Motherwell throw-in proved costly as Elijah Just fed Stephen O’Donnell, whose deep cross was met by Ibrahim Said. The forward powered a header past the helpless Kasper Schmeichel from seven yards to give the hosts a deserved lead.
Motherwell continued to dictate the tempo and came close to doubling their advantage when Just flashed a shot wide following an incisive pass from Callum Slattery. Despite their dominance, the hosts went into the break just one goal to the good and arguably disappointed not to have more to show for a superb first-half display.
Recognising the need for change, Nancy made a bold triple substitution at half-time, introducing Luke McCowan, Arne Engels, and Shin Yamada in place of Daizen Maeda, Kieran Tierney, and Paolo Bernardo.
The changes briefly injected some urgency into Celtic’s play. Yamada almost made an immediate impact when Benjamin Nygren slipped him in behind the defence, but Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward reacted sharply to deny the Japanese forward from close range.
That chance proved to be as good as it got for the visitors. Just before the hour mark, Motherwell doubled their lead after capitalising on a costly error at the back. A loose pass from Schmeichel to Engels inside the Celtic area was seized upon by Just, who squared the ball for Elliot Watt to finish emphatically from close range.
Further substitutions followed, with Colby Donovan and James Forrest introduced in an attempt to halt Motherwell’s momentum, but the hosts remained on top. Celtic’s best opportunity of the second half arrived in the 79th minute when Nygren forced Ward into a spectacular flying save.
Motherwell comfortably saw out the closing stages to secure a fully deserved victory, while Celtic departed Fir Park with more questions than answers. With Rangers next to visit Celtic Park, the challenges facing Nancy show no signs of easing.
WFi player of the match: Elliot Watt (Motherwell) – The midfielder has been a revelation since joining from relegated St Johnstone in the summer. He dictates the tempo of Motherwell’s play in possession, and he took his goal well by capitalising on lacklustre Celtic defending.
Motherwell: Ward, Koutroumbis, McGinn, O’Donnell, Slattery (McAllister, 90+3), Just (Hendry, 74), Watt, Fadinger, Priestman (Longelo, 85), Sparrow, Said (Ross, 90+3).
Substitutes: Connolly, Longelo, Balmer, Gordon, McAllister, Stamatelopoulos, Hendry, Osong, Ross.
Celtic: Schmeichel, Ralston (Donovan, 59), Trusty, Scales, Yang (Forrest, 66), Tierney (McCowan, 45), Bernardo (Engels, 45), McGregor, Nygren, Hatate, Maeda (Shin, 45).
Substitutes: Sinisalo, Simpson-Pusey, McCowan, Shin, Kenny, Engels, Murray, Forrest, Donovan.
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