A brave Motherwell performance had little luck as the team failed to end Celtic’s run of 13 consecutive victories over the Steelmen.
For the third meeting between the two in six weeks, Ange Postecoglou’s side were made to work hard for their win as two goals from Japanese pair, Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda narrowly earned them the points.
However, Ross Tierney’s goal ten minutes from time, ensured that the Fir Park men’s hopes of grabbing an equaliser and a point for their competitive and disciplined performance remained alive until the final whistle.
Despite the fact that the defeat also extended ‘Well’s poor home form to six games without a win the performance gave the players and fans an indication that that statistic will be improved upon after the World Cup break.
Injury and tactics forced Steven Hammell into three changes from the side which was unlucky to leave Tynecastle on Sunday empty handed.
Stephen O’Donnell made his first start since August, replacing the injured Paul McGinn and tasked with containing Celtic’s Portuguese winger Jota. Bevis Mugabi was recalled for his first league start coming into the centre of defence f in preference to Sondre Solholm. Dean Cornelius was added to the midfield providing Callum Slattery with a more advanced role behind Kevin Van Veen .
The mission facing a reshaped ‘Well was feared impossible, as they incredibly searched for a first win over Celtic at Fir Park since April 2013.
The league leaders showed their intentions from the kick -off and within a minute they had raced into the home box, where Kyogo forced a block form Liam Kelly before being flagged offside.
Two minutes later ‘Well were a post width’s from taking a dramatic lead.
O’Donnell slipped the ball in behind Carl Strarfelt, allowing Van Veen to race towards the visitor’s box. But having sped past the advancing Joe Hart, the Dutch striker, from a tight angle slammed the ball against the upright.
Motherwell’s game plan and diligence in the opening spell was undone after 15 minutes when they cheaply conceded the opening goal. Slattery’s smart intervention in the box broke up the Celtic attack.
However, having taken the ball towards the touchline he dallied and lost possession to Matt O’Riley who immediately squared the ball across the six yard box where Kyogo sidefooted it past Kelly.
Things got worse for ‘Well after 20 minutes. Mugabi did well to block Aaron Mooy’s run into the box but injured himself in the process which ultimately led to Solholm resuming his position alongside Ricki Lamie.
Despite those early setbacks the Steelmen stuck to their task of restricting Celtic and marking them tightly in the ‘Well half.
Bar a couple of efforts from Jota and Mooy which Kelly scooped to safety the home goal was seldom threatened.
Ten minutes from half time Slattery audacious attempt almost caught out Hart. When Greg Taylor gave possession to the former Southampton academy player, he had only one though as he sent the ball high over the Celtic ‘keeper only to watch it drift eight yards wide of an open goal.
History was made at Fir Park when the first VAR check was made to review an off the ball clash between O’Donnell and Reo Hatate but despite calls for the Japanese midfielder to be cautioned, referee Willie Collum took no action.
The second half resumed with Connor Shields replacing Van Veen and the forwards pace immediately caused the Celtic defence its first uncomfortable spell of the evening.
It also forced Hart into his first save, comfortably holding O’Donnell’s low left foot drive from 20 yards.
As Motherwell pressed towards the visitor’s goal it was more a case of Celtic countering on the break.
And after 56 minutes Jota carried the ball 50 yards before lobbing the ball over Kelly and into the net only for VAR to confirm the view from the press box that the winger was narrowly offside when he received the pass from Kyogo.
On the hour mark the ‘Well boss underlined his intentions when he changed to a more attacking formation sending on Louis Moult and Ross Tierney for midfield pair Spittal and Cornelius.
With 15 minutes remaining both sides looked capable of producing the next goal. And after Giorgos Giakoumakis lifted the ball over the bar at one end. Moult’s downward header from Matt Penny’s cross, bounced narrowly over with the ‘keeper flat footed.
The next goal attempt from the Steelmen came in the 78th minutes when O’Donnell smashed his drive into the advertising hoardings behind Hart’s goal.
What should have been a killer second goal from Celtic arrived six minutes from time.
Penny’s attempt to take a quick throw in gave possession to Liel Abada who immediately released Daizen Maeda. He powered towards Kelly’s goal before driving the ball under the ‘keeper to make it 2-0 and celebrate his inclusion to Japan’s World Cup squad.
Those celebrations were immediately muted when ‘Well pulled one back straight from the kick-off.
Slattery’s fine long ball through the middle of the home box found Tierney who turned on the volley to steer it beyond Hart to set up a tense final 10 minutes.
Despite once again failing to take anything for their endeavours, the ‘Well fans showed their appreciation of the players efforts in making Celtic work all the way to the final whistle for their three points.
