2010-04-13: Celtic 2-1 Motherwell, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 2009 – 2010 | 2009-2010 Pictures

Trivia

  • Season is already over after we lost to Ross County last Saturday.
  • Boruc on bench.
  • Att: 27,750; Really was lower probably 17-20k. Fans having their say after a poor season.
  • Credit to the Green Brigade for creating atmosphere.
  • Josh Thompson scores twice. His high mark with Celtic.

Review

The season may be over but there is pride to play for. Neil Lennon has his hands full and after the disaster of the defeat against Ross County, he made his feelings known.

An eary half deserted Celtic Park was a dispiriting setting for this game.

Team was little changed from Saturday and disturbingly there was little improvement in much of the first half. Motherwell played and passed the ball much better and we found it hard to get in, and we made next to no chances. Despite coming back into the game, we lost a needless goal and went behind to Motherwell just after the break. Cue much gnashing and wailing of teeth.

Step forward the unlikely hero of Thomson, and we somehow crawled our way back into the game to take a victory with two goals from our young defender. Put our midfielders to shame. Shades of a younger McManus in the attacking front here.

Three points and face saved, but we need more than that and so do the players.

Teams

Celtic

  • 24Zaluska
  • 03Naylor; yellow card
  • 12Wilson
  • 38Thompson
  • 48O'Dea
  • 06N'Guemo
  • 08Brown
  • 14McGinn (Fortune 76)
  • 46McGeady
  • 07Keane
  • 15Kamara

Substitutes

  • 01Boruc,
  • 21Braafheid,
  • 52Caddis,
  • 17Crosas,
  • 10Fortune,
  • 19Rasmussen,
  • 55McGowan

Goals

  • Thompson 50
  • Thompson 78

Motherwell

  • 01Fraser
  • 03Hammell
  • 04Reynolds
  • 05Craigan (Saunders 56)
  • 08Jennings
  • 14Lasley (Coke 11; yellow card)
  • 24Hateley
  • 09Jutkiewicz (Humphrey 81)
  • 11Sutton
  • 15Murphy
  • 17O'Brien; yellow card

Substitutes

  • 36Hylsop,
  • 43Saunders,
  • 06Coke,
  • 07Humphrey,
  • 12Smith,
  • 27Forbes,
  • 35McHugh

Goals

  • Reynolds 49
Ref: Brines
Att: 27,750

Articles

Pictures

KStreet

MOTM

Stats

Possession

  • Celtic 51%
  • Motherwell 49%

Attempts on target

  • Celtic 8
  • Motherwell 5

Attempts off target

  • Celtic 7
  • Motherwell 2

Corners

  • Celtic 7
  • Motherwell 2

Fouls

  • Celtic 14
  • Motherwell 8

Articles

BBC

Josh Thompson was the unlikely hero, scoring twice as Celtic came from behind to edge out Motherwell.
Early in the second half, Thompson failed to clear a Tom Hateley free kick and Motherwell defender Mark Reynolds fired home from close range.
Thompson quickly made amends for his error by levelling with a shot from Scott Brown's headed knockdown.
The teenage defender then powered in a header from Lee Naylor's corner to seal a hard-earned victory.
Celtic interim manager Neil Lennon recalled Mark Wilson, Niall McGinn and Diomansy Kamara as he sought a reaction to the shock Scottish Cup semi-final defeat from Ross County at the weekend.
And a sparsely attended Celtic Park watched their team respond well to going behind in what was an entertaining second half, although the victory owed much to two good saves from home keeper Lukasz Zaluska.
On 10 minutes, McGinn charged down a Steve Jennings clearance and scurried forward to deliver a powerful cross for Robbie Keane. The Irish striker was well placed in front of goal but the ball was slightly behind him and he could not make a clean connection with his head.

Motherwell were packing numbers behind the ball but managed to string a few nice passing sequences together and Jennings saw his drilled shot from 20 yards blocked by a stretching Darren O'Dea after some neat build-up play.
Celtic saw a lot of the ball in an open first half but seldom troubled goalkeeper Michael Fraser, who was deputising for the injured John Ruddy.
Instead it was Zaluska who was called into action just shy of the half hour mark.
The Polish international had to get down smartly to stop a strike from Jamie Murphy and skipper Brown slid in to make it impossible for Lukas Jutkiewicz to turn in the loose ball.
McGinn, making his first appearance since January, embarked on a positive surge through the middle of the park only to sail a shot high over the crossbar.
Jutkiewicz then found himself in room behind the home defence but Zaluska came haring out to make a good save with his outstretched foot.
With the interval looming, Keane dragged an angled first-time strike wide and Aiden McGeady did well to cut in from left flank but his curling shot was comfortably gathered by Fraser.
Four minutes after the restart Motherwell were in front when Thompson conceded a free kick and the same player could only divert the delivery from Hateley into the path of Reynolds, who stabbed his shot in from six yards.

The home fans had barely started to register their discontent when Celtic levelled and it was Thompson who atoned for his mistakes.
Brown got his head to a McGinn corner kick and the teenage centre-half swept a first-time effort through a ruck of bodies.
McGeady drove a 20-yard shot just too high after an enterprising run and Fraser did well to narrow the angle and block a stinging strike from Keane as Celtic suddenly burst into life.
The Motherwell keeper then flapped at a cross, allowing Kamara a sight of goal but substitute Steven Saunders did well to clear with his chest.
With 15 minutes remaining, Zaluska made a fine stop to keep out a close range header from John Sutton after the Motherwell forward had connected with a fantastic whipped cross from Jim O'Brien.
Thompson claimed his second goal soon after, towering highest in a congested penalty box to head home direct from Lee Naylor's corner.
Keane smacked a volley narrowly wide as he latched on to a headed flick from replacement Marc-Antoine Fortune before Zaluska made another important intervention, racing out to deny Murphy on the edge of the penalty box.

Celtic coach Neil Lennon praises Celtic recovery(BBC)

Celtic's interim manager Neil Lennon was pleased with his side's reaction after recovering from a goal down against Motherwell to win 2-1.
"I got the result that I wanted. It was a hard-fought game," Lennon told BBC Scotland. "The application and attitude was a million miles away from Saturday.
"I was delighted with the boys I brought in.
"I toyed with the idea of not playing Josh Thompson, but I'm glad I did. We needed his height against them."
Thompson scored twice as Celtic recovered from a Mark Reynolds close-range strike shortly after half-time.
The English teenage defender made amends for the defensive error that led to Motherwell's opener, levelling with a shot and snatching the winner with powerful header.

Lennon was relieved with the recovery – his third consecutive league success – after Celtic's defeat to Ross County in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden at the weekend.
"There was a few tense moments and I needed my goalkeeper to make some big saves," said Lennon.
"But you get that with nervous tension at times, and off the back of the circumstances we've been under the last couple of days, I got some big performances from some quality players.
"I thought Aiden McGeady in the second half was magnificent for me.
"The goal we conceded was poor from our point of view, straight after half time, but the reaction was great.
"That gave the team, the crowd and myself a huge lift.
"I was looking for a reaction – they could have gone under, but they didn't.
"That was the pleasing aspect of tonight, but we have lots to work on.
"I'm thankful for the win, it was important for the club and the team."

Supporters shun nervous Celtic; Only around 15,000 turn up to watch Lennon's men edge past Motherwell thanks to Thompson

14 April 2010

Provided by: The Times

Neil Lennon survived Celtic's posttraumatic stress following Saturday's Active Nation Scottish Cup semi-final humiliation at the hands of Ross County, describing last night's 2-1 win over Motherwell at Celtic Park as "huge" in the context of the club's present fragile state.
Two goals by 18-year-old defender Josh Thompson—whom Lennon had considered leaving out last night — pushed his side on to victory after Mark Reynolds had opened the scoring for Motherwell early in the second half.
A paltry crowd of 15,000 — the lowest for a league game in the 15 years since Celtic Park was rebuilt — watched Lennon's team stagger nervously over the line.
"This was huge for us," Celtic's interim manager said later. "We could easily have folded after Saturday, especially after Motherwell took the lead, but we bounced back. There are still a lot of things wrong with this club, but there's also a lot of things right. Most importantly, that's three league wins in a row."
Lennon struck a more conciliatory note after his stinging criticism of his players on Saturday, when he had spoke of "a clear-out" being needed at Celtic Park. He adjusted his tone last night.
"I'm delighted for my players, and I'm delighted especially for Josh Thompson," Lennon said. "I did think about leaving him out, but I spoke to him last night, and I'm thrilled for him.
"He is a boy being asked to do a man's job. To be honest, I was more annoyed with the senior players than with Josh on Saturday.
"This is a small step for us — I just wanted us to get over the line. It was a very nervy occasion, but this is a big three points for us."
After Saturday's humiliation at Hampden Park, the worst thing that could have befallen Celtic last night was a defeat which would have left Rangers ready to claim a second successive Clydesdale Bank Premier League title at Tannadice this evening. That flag is inexorably heading Rangers' way, but for it to have been handed to their great rivals before the SPL "split" was even under way would have been one indignity too far for Celtic.
"We have to finish second in the league and we have to beat Rangers," Lennon said. "That, at least, would be a consolation for us."
Craig Brown, the Motherwell manager, with some justification felt that his side did enough to claim a point from the match.
But Brown was also highly magnanimous later towards his young foe across the technical area last night. "I'm sorry we didn't get anything, but paradoxically, I'm pleased for Neil Lennon," said Brown. "He has had a hard time, but he obviously spoke to his players, and whatever he said worked, because he got a response from his team. So I congratulate Neil for that— I hope and think he is destined to become a very good manager.
"We lost two soft goals to corner kicks — it was criminal defending by us.We limited Celtic in other ways, but Josh Thompson's height was a danger. Wedidn't do well enough.
"The Celtic goalkeeper was man of the match, so that indicated how the match went. But we weren't incisive enough in front of goal."
(c) 2010 Times Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved
The Times

  • Final Result
  • Full Time
  • 90:00+2:15 The final whistle goes and the game is over.
  • 87:00 Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Diomansy Kamara, save by Michael Fraser.
  • 85:25 Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Lee Naylor, save by Michael Fraser.
  • 85:25 Booking Giles Coke is shown a yellow card.
  • 85:18 Free kick awarded for a foul by Giles Coke on Landry N'Guemo.
  • 83:56 Aiden McGeady takes a shot. Steven Saunders gets a block in.
  • 82:42 Scott Brown fouled by Giles Coke, the ref awards a free kick. Lee Naylor delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left channel.
  • 81:51 Stevie Hammell gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mark Wilson. Free kick crossed right-footed by Diomansy Kamara from right wing.
  • 80:23 Substitution Chris Humphrey joins the action as a substitute, replacing Lukas Jutkiewicz.
  • 80:13 Robbie Keane produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the target.
  • 77:03 Lee Naylor provided the assist for the goal.
  • 77:03 GOAL – Josh Thompson:Celtic 2 – 1 Motherwell Josh Thompson scores a headed goal from inside the penalty area. Celtic 2-1 Motherwell.
  • 76:33 Corner taken left-footed by Lee Naylor from the right by-line,
  • 75:19 Substitution Marc-Antoine Fortune comes on in place of Niall McGinn.
  • 74:21 Foul by Landry N'Guemo on Giles Coke, free kick awarded. Strike on goal comes in from Tom Hateley from the free kick.
  • 74:05 Jim O'Brien produces a cross, John Sutton takes a shot. Lukasz Zaluska makes a brilliant save.
  • 72:15 Long range effort from Darren O'Dea misses to the left of the target.
  • 71:18 Unfair challenge on John Sutton by Scott Brown results in a free kick. Stevie Hammell takes the direct free kick.
  • 70:59 Foul by John Sutton on Mark Wilson, free kick awarded. Mark Wilson restarts play with the free kick.
  • 69:49 Corner taken right-footed by Niall McGinn, Josh Thompson has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide right of the goal.
  • 68:29 Giles Coke gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Landry N'Guemo. Lee Naylor takes the direct free kick.
  • 67:49 Diomansy Kamara is ruled offside. Michael Fraser restarts play with the free kick.
  • 66:51 Corner taken by Niall McGinn from the left by-line, clearance by Mark Reynolds.
  • 65:13 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Tom Hateley played to the near post.
  • 64:06 Shot from just outside the box by Jamie Murphy misses to the right of the goal.
  • 60:34 Inswinging corner taken by Niall McGinn from the left by-line, clearance made by Steven Saunders.
  • 60:21 Diomansy Kamara has an effort at goal. Stevie Hammell makes a clearance.
  • 60:07 Robbie Keane takes a shot. Save by Michael Fraser.
  • 59:36 Corner taken short by Tom Hateley.
  • 55:16 Substitution Steven Saunders comes on in place of Stephen Craigan.
  • 52:49 Landry N'Guemo challenges Jim O'Brien unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jim O'Brien.
  • 52:06 Shot from just outside the box by Aiden McGeady goes over the bar.
  • 50:47 Foul by Mark Wilson on Jamie Murphy, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed by Stevie Hammell, save by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 49:44 Scott Brown provided the assist for the goal.
  • 49:44 GOAL – Josh Thompson:Celtic 1 – 1 Motherwell Josh Thompson gets on the score sheet with a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 1-1 Motherwell.
  • 49:17 Corner taken right-footed by Niall McGinn.
  • 48:02 Tom Hateley provided the assist for the goal.
  • 48:02 GOAL – Mark Reynolds:Celtic 0 – 1 Motherwell Mark Reynolds grabs a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Celtic 0-1 Motherwell.
  • 47:26 Unfair challenge on Giles Coke by Landry N'Guemo results in a free kick. The ball is delivered by Tom Hateley,
  • 45:30 Jamie Murphy is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 45:01 The second half begins.
  • Half Time
  • 45:00+0:23 The first half comes to an end.
  • 41:25 Shot by Aiden McGeady. Michael Fraser makes a save.
  • 39:26 Tom Hateley crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing, clearance by Josh Thompson.
  • 39:26 Booking Lee Naylor goes into the book.
  • 39:20 Free kick awarded for a foul by Lee Naylor on Jim O'Brien.
  • Correction – 37:39 Shot by Robbie Keane from deep inside the penalty area misses wide to the left of the target.
  • 37:39 Robbie Keane produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.
  • 35:47 Free kick awarded for a foul by Lee Naylor on Lukas Jutkiewicz. Free kick taken by Tom Hateley.
  • 35:05 Robbie Keane takes a shot. Steve Jennings gets a block in.
  • 33:17 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Giles Coke by Scott Brown. Michael Fraser takes the direct free kick.
  • 32:06 Lukas Jutkiewicz takes a shot. Save by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 31:20 The assistant referee signals for offside against Lukas Jutkiewicz. Lukasz Zaluska takes the indirect free kick.
  • 29:58 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jim O'Brien by Diomansy Kamara. Direct free kick taken by Giles Coke.
  • 29:44 Unfair challenge on Jim O'Brien by Diomansy Kamara results in a free kick. Stevie Hammell takes the free kick.
  • 28:43 Niall McGinn has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box which goes wide right of the target.
  • 27:28 Shot from 20 yards from Jamie Murphy. Save by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 26:52 Scott Brown fouled by John Sutton, the ref awards a free kick. Mark Wilson restarts play with the free kick.
  • 24:08 Foul by Darren O'Dea on Lukas Jutkiewicz, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Tom Hateley.
  • 21:32 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Lukas Jutkiewicz by Darren O'Dea. Stephen Craigan restarts play with the free kick.
  • 20:52 Unfair challenge on Lukas Jutkiewicz by Josh Thompson results in a free kick. Stevie Hammell takes the direct free kick.
  • 16:13 Mark Reynolds challenges Robbie Keane unfairly and gives away a free kick. Diomansy Kamara produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick.
  • 13:14 Lukasz Zaluska takes the direct free kick.
  • 13:14 Booking Jim O'Brien receives a yellow card.
  • 13:00 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Scott Brown by Jim O'Brien.
  • 12:51 Steve Jennings takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Darren O'Dea gets a block in.
  • Correction – 10:23 Corner taken by Niall McGinn from the left by-line, clearance by Stephen Craigan.
  • Correction – 10:23 Substitution Keith Lasley goes off and Giles Coke comes on.
  • 10:23 Corner taken by Niall McGinn from the left by-line.
  • 10:23 Substitution Giles Coke on for Keith Lasley.
  • 5:08 Diomansy Kamara gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steve Jennings. Stevie Hammell takes the direct free kick.
  • 0:00 The ref blows the whistle to start the match.