Steelmen suffer as Celtic enjoy revenge victory

Apr 16 2008

MOTHERWELL were unable to inflict a second shock defeat on Celtic inside a week, as the champions came out fighting at Fir Park on Sunday.

Although the hosts weren’t without their chances, Celtic simply overpowered them on the day.

The opening stages were fairly even, although Aiden McGeady was causing problems and former Motherwell favourite Scott McDonald was just inches wide with a speculative effort.

Celtic took the lead in 17 minutes when Shunsuke Nakamura’s corner from the left was missed by Graeme Smith under pressure from Gary Caldwell and captain Stephen McManus headed home from close range.

McDonald had a great chance to double the lead a minute later but sent a header wide from just six yards.

Motherwell levelled in 24 minutes when Ross McCormack skinned Caldwell on the halfway line before playing a neat one-two with Stephen Hughes and sliding an angled drive under Arthur Boruc. McManus’s attempt to clear the ball resulted in him slicing it into his own goal.

The game raged from end to end and in 30 minutes Celtic went ahead again when Nakamura’s cross spun off the head of Stephen Craigan and McDonald nipped in to send a low volley past the helpless Smith.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink put Celtic further ahead in 43 minutes when, after the second of two corners from Barry Robson, the Dutch striker rose unmarked to bullet a header past Smith.

Celtic wrapped up the points in the 57th minute when a long throw-in by Lee Naylor caused havoc in the box and the ball fell kindly for Vennegoor of Hesselink to turn and lash a spectacular shot past Smith and into the top right corner.

Motherwell had a late chance to grab a consolation when Stephen Hughes went on a mazy run through the Celtic defence but Boruc saved well from the former Rangers midfielder.

Motherwell: G. Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Hughes, McLean, Fitzpatrick (D. Smith, 71), Lappin (McGarry, 57), McCormack, Porter (Murphy, 82). Subs (not used): Daniels, Lasley, Forbes, Archdeacon.