SPFL

Sunday 6th February 2022. K.O. 1.30pm

Fir Park. Motherwell




MOTHERWELL 0-4 CELTIC
Scorers: Abada (28) Rogic (31,45) Maeda (71)


This game had the potential of being a banana skin after the exertions by the Celts on Wednesday against rangers but we should not have fretted one bit. More to the point is how we didn’t end up with a double figure scoreline.



Celtic per usual were dominant in possession and went about their business with gusto. Postecoglou made three changes to the team that started the Glasgow Derby. Ralston, Rogic and Maeda took their places ahead of Juranović, Jota and O’Riley.

The Hoops could have been ahead as early as the 2nd minute. Ralston laid a lovely cutback on a plate for Abada who struck first time only to see Kelly make a save with an outstretched leg. Giakoumakis led the line brilliantly as he made himself a headache for the Well defence. He was holding up play and dragging his markers out of position to make space for Abada and Maeda.

Celtic’s first goal arrived in 28 minutes and it was clinical. Greg Taylor squeezed a pass by several amber shirts to Hatate on the left wing. The Japanese midfielder made a precision pass into the box where an on rushing Liel Abada arrived to stroke it home to make it 0-1 to the Bhoys. It was the Israelis 14th goal of the season and it's clear to see he has definitely gone up another level since the Winter break.



It took all of three minutes before number two arrived. Ralston fed the ball to Abada on the right touch line and he rolled the ball to Rogic on the edge of the Motherwell box. Big Rogic took a touch and without looking he lashed the ball into the top left hand corner and past Kelly to double the Hoops advantage. The football was very tasty and Celtic’s passing was off the charts though Motherwell weren’t even playing badly.

Celtic were first to every loose ball and every attack looked like it could produce a goal in a very energetic performance. The work rate of Giakoumakis and Abada had Motherwell’s defence in a spin with Taylor, Hatate and Rogic all excellent in the first half.

Celtic could have pulled further away when Kelly, under pressure from Rogic, tried to gather the ball on the ground but he spilled it and the ball flicked up. Liel Abada acrobatically scored an overhead kick but it was well offside.



The third goal was only delayed by a minute and on the stroke of halftime when Abada made it to the byline and produced a brilliant cut back pass for Rogic to pick his spot. The big Australian made no mistake as he rifled into the roof of the net without breaking sweat for his second of the afternoon.



Ange made two changes at half time with Abada and Hatate replaced by Forrest and Bitton with Wednesday’s game against Aberdeen in mind. I must say, Postecoglou is the best manager we have had who can rotate a squad so well and usually doesn’t affect the fluid passing game we have become accustomed to.

It took 50 minutes for Motherwell to muster up their first decent effort on the Celtic goal. Joe Hart was at his best when he dived mid air to keep out a long range effort from Efford. At the other end the Celtic Captain McGregor flashed an effort over the bar by inches and it would have been well deserved as he covered every blade of grass in this game.



The Celts had the ball in the net again in 59 minutes but it would be the second chalked off goal of the afternoon and I believe it was harsh on Celtic. Giakoumakis was body checked by a Motherwell defender who went down. In the meantime Maeda has broken through the defence to receive GG’s pass and rounded Kelly to stroke it home. Referee Madden called the foul back for Motherwell and strangely yellow carded Giakoumakis.

On 62 minutes another two substitutions were made by Ange as he replaced McGregor and Giakoumakis for Jota and new Bhoy O’Riley. Five minutes later and another excellent save by Liam Kelly prevented another sure goal when Forrest headed an incoming corner. It was goal ward bound but Kelly got an outstretched boot to send it out.



On 71 minutes O’Riley played a cracking through ball to Daizen Maeda who made a beeline for the Motherwell box. Mugabi did very well to get a tackle in but Maeda’s shot looped up and over the Goalie and spun into the Well net for 0-4. It was Maeda’s second goal in the Hoops and joins his debut goal against Hibernian.

Celtic were so dominant again in the second half and Rogic was central to everything and he should have bagged his hat trick in 77 minutes with a move he started. He Pinged the ball across the pitch to Jota on the wing while making his run into the box. The ball was weighted perfectly back to Rogic but his effort hit the right post. He also had an effort saved by Kelly late in the game.

The last sub of the afternoon for Celtic (79) saw Juranović replace Taylor who had another solid dependable performance after his Glasgow Derby showing. Four minutes later Juranović saw his free kick hit the side netting.



Overall it was a good day at the office. Well it was way better than that. The football on display from Celtic today was delicious and every player contributed hugely to make a statement on where this team is heading. Everyone looks like they are enjoying their football and it is shining through. That is all credit to Big Ange.

Next up is a trip up north to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen in League duty. The Dons have yet to win a league game in 2022. It is always a good scrap at Pittodrie and I expect this game to be no different but play to our best ability and it should produce a win. Celtic have now been unbeaten in 19 games in a run that stretches back to 19th September last year when Livingston pulled off a shock 1-0 win at home.

MOTM: Tom Rogic. The big man was everywhere and central to our most productive moves from midfield to front. He picked out his spot brilliantly for his two goals as well.


LINEUPS


Motherwell: Kelly, Mugabi, McGinley, Solholm Johansen (Grimshaw 82'), Carroll (Tierney 45'), Donnelly, Cornelius, O'Donnell, Slattery (Nirennold 81'), van Veen (Woolery 45'), Goss (Efford 45')

Subs: Grimshaw, Roberts, Tierney, Woolery, Nirennold, Ojala, Efford, Fox, Amaluzor


Celtic: Hart, Taylor (Juranovic 80'), Starfelt, Carter-Vickers, Ralston, Rogic, McGregor (O'Riley 63'), Hatate (Bitton 45'), Maeda, Giakoumakis (Jota 63'), Abada (Forrest 45')

Subs: Johnston, McCarthy, Forrest, Juranovic, Bain, Jota, O'Riley, Welsh, Bitton


POSSESSION: Motherwell 30% Celtic 70%

SHOTS: Motherwell 7-18 Celtic

ON TARGET: Motherwell 1-10 Celtic

PASSES: Motherwell 267 - 625 Celtic

COMPLETION: Motherwell 58% Celtic 83%



By Packybhoy