Action pictures from the 3-0 defeat by Celtic at Celtic Park in the SPFL Premiership.
Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.
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Action pictures from the 3-0 defeat by Celtic at Celtic Park in the SPFL Premiership.
Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.
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Stuart McCall was in an upbeat mood despite his side’s 3-0 defeat at Celtic Park this afternoon.
Motherwell have struggled in the East End of Glasgow in recent years, and although they came away with no points, there was plenty to be positive about.
‘Well were in double-figures in terms of chances, and had little luck in front of their own goal.
A close offside call for the first goal, a penalty and an own goal did the damage at the other end with Kris Commons in particular shining for the hosts.
And whilst McCall ankowledged Celtic were worthy of the win, he took solace in how ‘Well played for long spells and the opportunities his side created.
[pullquote]There were a lot of positives. Okay, we didn’t score – we got beat again – but we have a lot to take away from the game.[/pullquote]
McCall said: “I’m disappointed, I’m not saying we should have won the game, but I’m disappointed that we didn’t score a goal.
“I thought we merited a goal. Sometimes we were sloppy and Celtic cut us open with the good quality they’ve got.
“To lose a goal after four minutes, the roof can come in, but we didn’t – we kept playing our football and I was pleased with a lot of things today.
“We had good opportunities to get shots in from outside the box, but we just didn’t hit the target. At 2-0 it looked like we could press and get the next goal, which we said to the players at half time – let’s not lie down,. Inverness have done it – let’s see if we can do it and have a bit of belief.
“There were a lot of positives. Okay, we didn’t score – we got beat again – but we have a lot to take away from the game.”
[tab:Match report]
Phil McGhee at Celtic Park
Motherwell were looking to make it a magnificent seven consecutive wins but it was Celtic who extended their winning run with a 3-0 victory.
However the scoreline, with a double from Kris Commons including one from the penalty spot and an own goal from Stephen McManus, doesn’t reflect the balance of play or Motherwell’s contribution to a entertaining ninety minutes.
And while up against an inform Celtic, it was amazingly that despite creating a host of chances, ‘Well’s goal drought at Celtic Park extended to eight games.
Intent on maintaining their winning run and breaking that goal hoodoo, Stuart McCall started with a positive line-up with James McFadden supporting John Sutton through the middle and Lionel Ainsworth supplying from the right.
However, it was the defence, with Zaine Francis-Angol covering for the injured Simon Ramsden, which was under immediate pressure.
Inside ninety seconds Gunnar Neilsen had to punch out a swerving freekick from Kris Commons.
Four minutes later Anthony Stokes beyond the ‘Well back four and although Neilsen got down to push out the striker’s shot, Commons followed up to stroke the ball beyond the ‘keeper to make it 1-0.
There were claims for offside against the Irishman but assistant Alan Mulvanny was adament the striker had time his run to perfection and waves away protests.
The visitor’s might have conceded a second goal as Celtic delivered a couple of inviting balls across the six-yard box, with no takers.
Gradually, though, ‘Well gained some composure and after 12 minutes might have been level.
Ian Vigurs sent in the free kick and Shaun Hutchison’s flick on found Sutton inside the six-yard box the ball bounced off his thigh into Fraser Forster’s hands.
The Fir Park side then had a bit more of the play around the home side’s box.
McFadden tried his luck from 20 yards but his shot was deflected to give the ‘keeper an easy save. Then after 24 minutes, the 48-times capped forward skipped past Efe Ambrose before sweeping the ball across the six-yard line and just beyond Sutton’s sliding boot.
Bobby Madden upset the home crowd when James Forrest’s angled drive got the merest of touches from the diving Nielsen to take the ball beyond the post, only for referee to award a goal kick. Within a minute the official compounded his mistakewhen, Ainsworth drove the ball beyond Forster’s reach but was rewarded with a corner.
Nielsen was tested again but Charlie Mulgrew’s powerful header was straight at the ‘keeper.
Six minutes from half-time ‘Well conceded a sucker second goal.
Stokes again raced through and as he rounded Niesen inside the box the ‘keeper brought him down earning the Faroese International a booking and Celtic a penalty. With the ‘Well ‘keeper diving to his left ,Commons hammered the spot kick high down the middle to make it 2-0.
Far from being dispirited the Fir Park side continued to make a game of it in the seond half and should have at least a couple of goas to show for their efforts.
After 52 minutes Vigurs’ curling shot was dipping under the bar but Forster’s flap sent the ball bouncing in front of McFadden who couldn’t capitalise on the ‘keeper’s mistake.
The Celtic ‘keeper was at his internationlist best though a minute later when the ball broke to McFadden eight yards out whose placed shot was brilliantly blocked by Forster.
It was end to end stuff and in the next Celtic attack Stokes’ shot bounced off the top of the cross bar.
Motherwell’s replied with Sutton setting Vigurs towards the home goal but he was downed as he rounded Ambrose who, although booked, may have been a little fortunate with Vigurs looking to be in on Forster. The ball spinning towards the corner probably saved the Nigerian.
Any faint hopes of a fightback were killed in the 68th minute when James Forrest raced to the goal line before drilling the ball across the goal, only for McManus to slash the ball behind Nielsen.
It was harsh on the former Celtic captain, who had put in a solid performance throughout.
Ten minutes from time Celtic were reduced to ten men when Stokes’ late tackle on Lasley resulted in a straight red card. Despite the extra man, and continuing to push towards the home goal, ‘Well couldn’t make the break through their play deserved.
In the closing minutes Scott Brown drilled a 20 yard drive just outside Nielsen’s left hand post, Vigurs flashed a similar effort narrowly close before McFadden’s mazy run and shot brought a thoroughly entertaining encounter to a conclusion.
[tab:As it happened]
Ally Reilly at Celtic Park
FT: Celtic 3 – 0 Motherwell #CFCvMFC
4 minutes added on #CFCvMFC
89mins: Vigurs inches wide with a stunning effort from 25 yards #CFCvMFC
87mins: Celtic sub, Balde on for Ambrose #CFCvMFC
80mims: Celtic sub, Pukki on for Commons #CFCvMFC
79mins: RED CARD – Stokes off for a heavy challenge on Lasley #CFCvMFC
75mins: Motherwell sub, Sutton off for Anier #CFCvMFC
73mins: Motherwell sub, Kerr on for Ainsworth #CFCvMFC
68mins: GOAL! – A McManus OG makes it 3-0 #CFCvMFC
67mins: Celtic break and Commons curls his shot just past the post #CFCvMFC
65mins: Ball drops to Vigurs at the she of the box but his half volley is sliced well over #CFCvMFC
…..Forster gathers Ainsworth’s shot #CFCvMFC
61mins: Ambrose booked as ‘Well set up a FK in a good position…..
58mins: Stokes hits the bar with a curling right footed effort from 25 yards #CFCvMFC
54mins: Glorious chance for McFadden as the ball drops to him 10 yards out. denied by Forster’s foot! #CFCvMFC
52mins: Vigurs very unlucky as his bedding strike is saved by Forster who look uncomfortable #CFCvMFC
49mins: Brown sets up van Dijk on the edge of the box. Fires well over #CFCvMFC
Second half underway #CFCvMFC
Teams are back out for the second half CFCvMFC
HT: Celtic 2 – 0 Motherwell
1 minute added on
39mins: Penalty to Celtic……Goal! Commons makes it 2-0 CFCvMFC
28mins: Forrest glides past Hutchinson and gets a shot away on his left foot. Inches past the left hand post #CFCvMFC
24mins: Great play from McFadden to skip past Ambrose and get a good ball in. Sutton not far away from connecting. #CFCvMFC
20mins: Faddy tries his luck from range but a deflection takes the sting out it and Forster gathers with ease #CFCvMFC
15mins: Fisher booked for a clumsy tackle on Vigurs #CFCvMFC
12mins: Free-kick to ‘Well from a tight angle. Delivery finds Hutchinson who heads down to the thigh of Sutton. Straight at Forster #CFCvMFC
9mins: McManus booked for hauling down Forrest mid way into the ‘Well half #CFCvMFC
9mins: Commons tests Nielsen again from range but his curling effort lacks power #CFCvMFC
5mins: GOAL! – Commons makes it 1-0 after tapping home a rebound from Stokes’ shot #CFCvMFC
3mins: Celtic win a corner but Commons’ ball in eludes everyone. Goal kick to ‘Well #CFCvMFC
1min: Early free kick to Celtic, narrow angle in the right….Nielsen punches clear #CFCvMFC
We are underway here at Celtic Park! #COYW #CFCvMFC
[tab:Reaction]
Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:
“That’s as well as we’ve played at Celtic Park in an attacking sense.
“I’m disappointed we haven’t scored.
“We didn’t cave in after losing the early goal. We’ve a lot to take for the game.”
Celtic manager Neil Lennon:
“That’s the best we’ve played at home this season. You’ve got to give Motherwell credit too.
“Our attacking play was sensational at times and Motherwell found it very difficult to cope with us.
“It was a brilliant atmosphere, I thought crowd were brilliant and I really enjoyed the whole afternoon.”
[tab:Man-of-the-match]
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Iain Vigurs says there is a determination in the ‘Well dressing room to keep the recent run of good form going when they face Celtic tomorrow.
The Steelmen have won every match since losing heavily to the reigning Champions at Fir Park in early December.
It was a painful evening, but one the former Ross County midfielder believes actually helped.
Asked at Motherwell’s weekly news conference how important it is to not go to Glasgow with a fear factor based on the last result, the 25-year old said: “I don’t think we will, we’ve got some strong characters in that changing room.
[pullquote]We are obviously aware of their quality, we’ve seen it first hand, but we’re going there full of confidence and looking for a result.[/pullquote]
“I think it was exactly what we needed, even though you don’t ever want to get beat 5-0. But 18 points from our last possible 18 is the perfect way to respond.
“It [the 5-0 loss at Fir Park] spurred us on, no doubt, but we’re mentally tough enough to not let our last result against Celtic play on our mind.
“We are obviously aware of their quality, we’ve seen it first hand, but we’re going there full of confidence and looking for a result. We’ve had good results and are playing quite well so it’s all to play for.”
Stuart McCall says he has a specific game plan in mind to try and win his first game at Celtic Park as Motherwell manager.
The Steelmen’s record in Glasgow’s East End isn’t great in recent years, with the last win coming back in April 2008.
However, following six consecutive league wins, the Fir Parkers go into the match full of confidence and McCall hopes his side can write another little piece of history.
Speaking at Motherwell’s weekly news conference, the former Scotland international said: “We need to come up with something that will give us more of an attacking threat and we’ll go there in a confident mood.
[pullquote]For us, it’s about trying to strike a balance between not leaving yourself wide open and being out the game after thirty minutes, and giving them something to think about.[/pullquote]
“We’ve not managed to score there in my time and, in truth, not created too many chances either.
“In saying that, the games have always been pretty tight and when we’ve lost, it’s been by the odd goal in a few of those matches.
“For us, it’s about trying to strike a balance between not leaving yourself wide open and being out the game after thirty minutes, and giving them something to think about and that’s our aim for tomorrow.”
Goalkeeer Lee Hollis is the second Motherwell player to go under the knife this week after surgery to sort a troublesome ankle injury.
The 27-year old stopper, who has started ten first-team matches this term, picked up the knock in training three months ago, and has had a series of setbacks on the road to recovery.
He eventually had to get it operated on this morning, which will keep him out for a further six weeks or so.
It’s a blow to ‘Well boss Stuart McCall who admits he has now started a search to bring in another goalkeeper as cover.
[pullquote]It’s unfortunate for Lee as he made a really assured start to the season. Hopefully his operation today goes well and he gets back as quickly as possible.[/pullquote]
He said: “It’s unfortunate for Lee as he made a really assured start to the season. Hopefully his operation today goes well and he gets back as quickly as possible.
“It leaves us short and we’ll need to try and add some cover if possible.”
Further bad news came in the shape of Simon Ramsden whose injury was worse than expected.
The experienced defender is likely to miss six weeks too. The original hope was he would be back in time for the Partick Thistle game in mid-February, but that prognosis now looks optimistic.
Motherwell club sponsor Cash Converters is delighted to announce that the December Player of the Month is Lionel Ainsworth.
Lucky ‘Well fans Reece Mcgee and Robyn Stewart won the Cash Converters Player of the Month competition and they presented Lionel with the award at Fir Park this afternoon.
Speaking to MFC TV, Ainsworth said: “This award means a lot to me. In saying that, I am under no illusions that football is a team game and any award is for the collective rather than the individuals.
[pullquote]This award means a lot to me. In saying that, I am under no illusions that football is a team game and any award is for the collective rather than the individuals.[/pullquote]
“Hopefully, both the team and I can continue our form for the rest of this month too.
“I would like to thank our sponsors, Cash Converters, for hosting the award, the fans who voted for me and Reece, who travelled in to Fir Park today to present it.”
Look out for the next vote at the end of January to be in with a chance of presenting the award to the winner. Simply visit our Cash Converters SPL Facebook page by CLICKING HERE.
The Cash Converters Football Facebook page will also give you the opportunity to enter the draw to take part in the next Convert for Cash, and the chance to win a whole host of other prizes.
The Motherwell players were put through their paces at the Fir Park Astro ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Celtic in Glasgow.
Snaps courtesy of Jeff Holmes.
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Stadium Details:
Celtic Football Club
Celtic Park
Kerrydale Street
Glasgow
Tel: 0871 226 1888
Web: www.celticfc.net
Opened: 1892
Capacity: 60,832
SatNav: G40 3RE
Distance from Fir Park: 11.6 miles (0 hr 18 min)
Supporter Information:
Celtic FC have asked the club to publicise the following information:
Tickets:
ADULTS: | £26 / £23 |
CONCESSIONS: | £17 / £14 |
JUVENILE: | £10 |
The stadium is located in the East End of Glasgow and it is one of the easiest to find in the SPL.
Simply follow the M74 until its end and then continue into the city on the A74 (London Road). The stadium will be clearly visible ahead.
If travelling from the East, leave the M8 at Junction 8 and follow the M73 South on to the M74 northbound. Stay on the M74 until its end and then continue into Glasgow on the A74 (London Road). The stadium will be clearly visible ahead.
There is a large car park at the ground but this is for pass holders only. Street parking is available on the side streets around the ground, although traffic is always very busy before and after the game and please be aware of restrictions due to the on-going 2014 Commonwealth Games works.
Several operators run buses which will take you within a five to 10 minute walk of the ground, including First service 240.
Further information and timetables are available online at www.firstgroup.com/glasgow.
Glasgow Central and Queens Street stations are around a 30 minute walk away from the ground. Dalmarnock and Bridgeton stations are closer and both are served by trains from Motherwell.
Further information and timetables are available online at www.scotrail.co.uk.
Referee for this Saturday’s SPFL Premiership clash with Celtic at Celtic Park is the highly-rated Bobby Madden.
The match will be Bobby’s third in charge of the Steelmen this campaign. The first was the SPFL opener against Hibs at Easter Road, Henri Anier coming off the bench to net the winner on his league debut.
The other was the 3-1 win over Ross County back in September when the Fir Parkers came back from a goal down to win courtesy of goals from Bob McHugh and a John Sutton double.
That was only his sixth ever Motherwell match. His first was back in January of the 2011/12 season as the ‘Well slipped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Inverness; Grégory Tadé grabbing the game’s only goal.
His second was the thrilling 5-1 win over St Johnstone as Motherwell reaffirmed their grip on third spot in the old SPL. Goals that day from Higdon, Law, Murphy and Henrik Ojamaa’s double all but ended Saints’ hopes of nicking the best of the rest gong that season.
Last season he also handled two matches. The first was an entertaining 3-3 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Motherwell had raced into a 3-1 lead courtesy of goals from Higdon, Hutchinson and Law but a late Aberdeen fightback handed Craig Brown’s men a draw.
His second, two months later, was a fine 2-1 win at Tannadice. Michael Higdon opened the scoring before Chris Humphrey rocketed in a second goal of the season contender. Jon Daly pulled one back with his customary goal, but it wasn’t enough as Motherwell held on for the three points.
The 35-year old has been fourth official on a number of occasions, including Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup last season and the Semi Final with St Johnstone at Hampden.
The whistler has busy already this campaign, with busy domestic duties topped up with games in the Europa League with Esbjerg fB vs AS Saint-Étienne, KRC Genk vs FC Thun and Lazio vs Apollon Limassol.
In addition, he handled two UEFA Champions League qualifiers: CS Fola Esch vs GNK Dinamo Zagreb and Austria Vienna vs FH Hafnarfjördur.
His most recent SPFL appointment was last weekend when Partick Thistle and Ross County shared a 3-3 draw at Firhill. He was also the man in the middle for Morton’s shock 1-0 win over Celtic in the League Cup on Tuesday night.
Bobby will be ably assisted by Alan Mulvanny and Graeme Leslie with Don Robertson on fourth official duties.