Celtic 2-1 Motherwell: Again-to-back wins for Neil Lennon’s aspect

Celtic gained back-to-back video games within the Scottish Premiership for the primary time since December as they noticed off a spirited Motherwell on Saturday.

Allan Campbell scored a tremendous objective for Motherwell, who earlier had robust claims for a first-half penalty.

The win leaves Celtic 20 factors behind Premiership leaders Rangers with a recreation in hand.

Motherwell stay ninth after shedding for the primary time in three video games, however they had been left to ponder what may need been after lacking late probabilities to earn some extent.

It was a whirlwind begin from Celtic. Their first assault earned a nook, from which Welsh powerfully headed residence his first objective for the Glasgow membership.

From there, they regarded within the temper. Edouard flashed a header large from shut vary, earlier than David Turnbull twice went shut from exterior the world and debutant Jonjoe Kenny had a low shot blocked by the goalkeeper as Motherwell had been rocked towards the ropes.

Within the midst of the stress although, Bevis Mugabi met a Motherwell free-kick however headed weakly at keeper Scott Bain.

For all Celtic’s possession, the guests had been solely a objective behind they usually continued to hold a menace themselves.

Chris Lengthy’s jinking run was curtailed by Kristoffer Ajer on the sting of the field, with debate over whether or not it ought to have been a penalty. A free-kick was given, from which Lengthy pressured a save from Bain.

One thing needed to give, although, as Motherwell allowed Celtic an excessive amount of of the ball. Edouard and Turnbull each handed up probabilities, earlier than the previous exchanged passes with McGregor and drove the ball contained in the close to submit to double the lead.

Celtic did not relent. Turnbull had a long-range shot tipped large and Ajeti headed over from shut vary. However simply as you thought Celtic had been going to run over the guests, again got here Motherwell.

Devante Cole’s shot was saved and Mugabi headed large from shut vary, however they pulled one again when Campbell beautifully chipped Bain from exterior the world.

Swiftly Celtic had been hanging on. Lengthy drove a ball throughout the field, however Cole didn’t know a lot about it and it hit off him, whereas Jordan Roberts couldn’t get to the unfastened ball on the again submit.

On the different finish, Liam Kelly brilliantly palmed away Tom Rogic’s highly effective shot and Mohamed Elyounoussi’s effort was deflected simply previous a submit.

However because the seconds ticked away Motherwell virtually snatched some extent. Harry Smith met a looping cross, headed in direction of the far submit, and Diego Laxalt needed to clear off the goalline with virtually the final kick.

Man of the match – Greg Taylor

What did we study?

The midweek win over Kilmarnock had put in confidence in Celtic. The early objective settled any early nerves they usually performed to a stage above what they’ve been at for a while.

However once they conceded their confidence was frazzled, and ultimately they might rely themselves lucky to have taken all three factors. It was very a lot a case of spectacular going ahead however unconvincing nonetheless on the again.

Motherwell deserve credit score for having an attacking mindset. Within the first half, they gave Celtic far an excessive amount of of the ball and had been punished for it, however they saved at it and will have taken residence some extent on one other day.

What did they are saying?

Celtic supervisor Neil Lennon: “I assumed we had been excellent for lengthy intervals and 2-0 did not flatter us – we deserved to be extra in entrance. Then Motherwell received a little bit of luck with their objective and the psychology of the sport adjustments.

“We received a bit anxious in direction of the top, however totally deserved the win. We needed to depend on Diego for an ideal clearance on the finish, however an equaliser would have been an ideal injustice.”

Motherwell supervisor Graham Alexander: “I assumed we actually grew into the sport, we had extra confidence on the ball, and we scored an ideal objective from Allan Campbell who from me was one of the best participant on the pitch.

“We went so near getting that equaliser and on our second-half efficiency I believe we might have deserved it.”

What’s subsequent?

Celtic are away to St Mirren on Wednesday (18:00 GMT kick-off), whereas Motherwell go to Kilmarnock on the identical night (18:00).