2010-12-29: Celtic 1-0 Motherwell, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 2010 – 2011 | 2010-2011 Pictures

Trivia

  • Celtic go 1pt on top of the league ahead of Rangers. Their game was postponed again, and they have now 2 games in hand.
  • Freddie Lundberg to sign for Celtic! Kayal plays for first time in a long while after injury. Kapo starts for Celtic and comes off early.
  • Brown red carded unfairly and wrongly in only second game back. Pathetic.
  • 3rd year anniversary of death of Phil O'Donnell, half-time tribute given for him.

Review

Happy with the result but not so much with the work ethic of the team or the skill levels on display tonight.

Well done Pady McCourt for his goal but Stokes was not good at all and the team overall did not work hard enough to shut down the opposition, nor did they work hard enough to get into space and drive on beyond the man in possession when we had the ball.

Pluses: Scott Brown's performance, Izaguirre's performance and both Kayal when he came on as a sub and Kapo before he went off (two players who seemed to know what they were doing).

Minuses: Stokes' display and the general lack of drive.

We must work much much harder if we are to stand a chance of getting anything from Ibrox.

The 'I'm not suprised at this pish' award goes to (drum roll): The officials. Terrible decisions.

Teams

Celtic

  • 26 Forster
  • 03 Izaguirre
  • 05 Majstorovic; yellow card
  • 12 Wilson
  • 25 Rogne
  • 08 Brown; yellow card, red card
  • 16 Ledley
  • 20 McCourt
  • 77 Kapo (Murphy 38) (Baram Kayal 52; yellow card)
  • 10 Stokes
  • 49 Forrest (McGinn 88)

Substitutes

  • 24 Zaluska,
  • 21 Mulgrew,
  • 31 Towell,
  • 14 McGinn,
  • 17 Crosas,
  • 33 Baram Kayal,
  • 27 Murphy

Goals

  • McCourt 27

Motherwell

  • 01 Randolph
  • 02 Saunders
  • 03 Hammell
  • 04 Reynolds
  • 05 Craigan; yellow card
  • 06 Hateley; yellow card
  • 07 Humphrey
  • 14 Lasley; yellow card
  • 17 Fitzpatrick (Sutton 88)
  • 09 Murphy (Blackman 76)
  • 24 Gow

Substitutes

  • 12 Hollis,
  • 20 Hutchinson,
  • 32 Pollock,
  • 11 Sutton,
  • 16 McHugh,
  • 18 Forbes,
  • 22Blackman
Ref: Finnie
Att: 40,750

Articles

Pictures

KStreet

MOTM

Stats

Possession

  • Celtic 52%
  • Motherwell 48%

Attempts on target

  • Celtic 2
  • Motherwell 0

Attempts off target

  • Celtic 5
  • Motherwell 0

Corners

  • Celtic 6
  • Motherwell 5

Fouls

  • Celtic 8
  • Motherwell 10

Articles

Celtic 1

Motherwell 0

  • McCourt 27
  • Ewan Murray at Celtic Park
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 29 December 2010 22.05 GMT

Referee Stephen Finnie sends off Celtic's Scott Brown against Motherwell. Photograph: Lynne Cameron/PA A siege mentality has developed at Celtic Park this season. The place routinely reverberates to chants that are none-too kind about referees.
There are times when even fanatics realise the stupidity of players. This proved one such occasion. Celtic were not exactly cantering to victory over Motherwell as stoppage time approached, but they seemed in little danger of conceding an equaliser when Scott Brown displayed his latest regrettable act.
The Celtic captain, already on a yellow card, lunged at the Motherwell full-back Stevie Hammell. Cue a second booking and suspension for Sunday's Old Firm game.
"If you see it again, Scott has done everything he can to pull out of the tackle," argued the Celtic manager Neil Lennon. "I am very disappointed with the decision, amongst many. If you want my thoughts about referees, you can forget it. Scott's left foot gave way. We are pretty upset about it."
Lennon's bullish defence aside, Brown's actions with the ball 20 yards from Motherwell's goal were totally needless. Hammell explained he had sought to jump out the way after seeing the tackle coming. The fact Brown received two bookings rather than a straight red card leaves no route for appeal.
Postponements and upcoming fixture congestion make it tricky to gauge momentum in this Scottish Premier League title race. What can be said is that Celtic will cross Glasgow as the league leaders. Rangers have two games in hand over their rivals, who hold a one-point advantage.
While Celtic's motivation was with the weekend in mind, Motherwell's players had their own cause to impress. The club will unveil Stuart McCall as their new manager tomorrow afternoon, the former Rangers midfielder having been selected as the successor to Craig Brown. McCall watched this match from the directors' box.
His early moments would have been anxious. Celtic, whose recent home form has been poor, should have taken the lead within 90 seconds. Emilio Izaguirre managed to blaze over from six yards after Darren Randolph had parried a Joe Ledley shot.
There were rare Celtic starting appearances for Olivier Kapo and Paddy McCourt. Kapo lasted 38 minutes after incurring a hamstring injury, McCourt's evening proving more profitable.
The enigmatic Irishman had squandered a headed opportunity by the time he scored the solitary goal. McCourt jinked inside two visiting defenders before supplying a cool, curling finish. Ledley should have inflicted further damage on Motherwell but fired wide when sent through on goal by Kapo.
Onlookers could only wonder what Freddie Ljungberg was making of this frantic stuff. The former Arsenal midfielder was among the crowd as he continues a trial period at Celtic. Ljungberg, thought to be seeking £20,000 a week and an 18-month deal, was at least appraised of Scottish football's physical nature. "Freddie's representatives will be in again in the morning and we can hopefully get something bedded down," added Lennon.
Motherwell's attacking intensified after the interval, although they appeared unlikely or unable to meaningfully trouble the Celtic goal.
What the visitors' improvement did achieve was to liven up the contest further.
Parkhead hosts a lot of tame, subdued encounters over the course of a domestic campaign, but this was not one of them. The crowd was noticeably higher in both number and volume than has been the case over the last four matches.
Perhaps Old Firm fever had arrived a few days early. For Brown, it proved as close as he will get.

Celtic 1-0 Motherwell BBC

Celtic will end 2010 top of the Scottish Premier League after beating Motherwell in Glasgow.
Paddy McCourt's skilful run and shot gave the home side the lead midway through the first half.
The winger had earlier headed wide with Emilio Izaguirre and Joe Ledley also off-target during a concerted period of Celtic pressure.
Motherwell rarely threatened but found themselves a man up in the closing stages after Scott Brown's dismissal.

With Rangers' midweek match against St Johnstone postponed, the win for Neil Lennon's side takes them a point clear, having played two games more than their Glasgow rivals. The top two will meet in the second Old Firm match of the season at Ibrox on Sunday but Celtic captain Brown will now be banned for that game.
For Motherwell, a third straight defeat leaves them sixth ahead of Stuart McCall's expected appointment as the Fir Park club's new manager.
Celtic were on the front foot from the off and Izaguirre blasted over after his initial shot had been blocked by goalkeeper Darren Randolph.
McCourt then weaved past several Motherwell defenders before cutting the ball back into a dangerous area only for Steven Hammell to make a last-ditch clearance.
The visiting goal continued to come under pressure with Brown's mis-hit shot turned into the net by Olivier Kapo, but the Frenchman was forced to wait for his first Celtic goal by the offside flag.
McCourt then headed wide from James Forrest's excellent cross but the former did find the net when he gave Celtic a deserved lead in the 27th minute.
Mark Wilson took a short corner to McCourt, who worked his way into a shooting position before planting a shot into the bottom corner.
Carelessness in possession by Motherwell's Tom Hateley gave Ledley a run at goal but the Welsh midfielder dragged his shot wide.
Kapo's first Celtic start came to an end before half-time when the forward was replaced by Daryl Murphy, who himself was taken off injured shortly after the break as Biram Kayal was introduced from the bench.
Having rarely threatened in the first half, Motherwell were more of an attacking force at the start of the second period and Alan Gow's header from Chris Humphrey's cross was collected by Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
A sequence of bookings and untidy challenges peppered the play and disrupted the fluency of the game, making scoring chances few and far between.
In one break, McCourt threatened again but on this occasion Randolph made the save.
As the match wound down, Brown, who had previously been booked, was penalised for his challenge on Hammell and the midfielder was promptly shown a second yellow and a red card.
Galvanised by their advantage in numbers, the visitors pressed in search of a late leveller but Keith Lasley's shot could not find its way through a ruck of players as Celtic held on.

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/9324522.stm

Published: 2010/12/29 21:46:04 GMT

© BBC MMX

  • Final Result
  • 94:21 The referee blows his whistle to end the game.
  • Full Time
  • 90:00+3:34 Stephen Craigan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Anthony Stokes. Free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
  • 90:00+1:21 Foul by Alan Gow on Beram Kayal, free kick awarded. Anthony Stokes takes the free kick.
  • 89:34 Sent off Scott Brown is shown a red card for second bookable offence.
  • 87:53 Substitution Marc Fitzpatrick goes off and John Sutton comes on.
  • 87:23 Substitution James Forrest leaves the field to be replaced by Niall McGinn.
  • 85:25 Chris Humphrey gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Emilio Izaguirre. Daniel Majstorovic restarts play with the free kick.
  • 84:21 Unfair challenge on Thomas Rogne by Nick Blackman results in a free kick. Mark Wilson restarts play with the free kick.
  • 82:34 Handball decision goes against Keith Lasley. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
  • 80:17 Stephen Craigan challenges Anthony Stokes unfairly and gives away a free kick. Mark Wilson restarts play with the free kick.
  • 79:42 Centre by Patrick McCourt, clearance made by Stephen Craigan.
  • 76:16 Foul by Alan Gow on Daniel Majstorovic, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Emilio Izaguirre.
  • 75:16 Substitution Jamie Murphy leaves the field to be replaced by Nick Blackman.
  • 73:16 Corner taken right-footed by Mark Wilson from the left by-line, clearance by Alan Gow.
  • 71:15 Booking The referee shows Stephen Craigan a yellow card.
  • 70:07 Patrick McCourt takes a shot. Save by Darren Randolph.
  • 68:15 Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Alan Gow. Inswinging corner taken by Alan Gow. Free kick awarded for a foul by Steven Saunders on Daniel Majstorovic. Free kick taken by Daniel Majstorovic.
  • 68:15 Booking Keith Lasley is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.
  • 66:11 Booking Beram Kayal goes into the referee's book.
  • 65:48 Booking Tom Hateley is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
  • 64:58 Chris Humphrey is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Daniel Majstorovic takes the free kick.
  • 62:46 Keith Lasley fouled by Beram Kayal, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Stephen Craigan.
  • 60:13 Alan Gow crosses the ball, save made by Fraser Forster.
  • 58:03 Chris Humphrey produces a cross, save made by Fraser Forster.
  • 57:12 The ball is swung over by Chris Humphrey.
  • 56:36 Steven Saunders delivers the ball, Mark Wilson manages to make a clearance. Inswinging corner taken by Tom Hateley, Emilio Izaguirre makes a clearance.
  • 56:36 Booking The referee shows Scott Brown a yellow card.
  • 53:50 The referee blows for offside against Anthony Stokes. Indirect free kick taken by Stephen Craigan.
  • 51:46 Substitution Beram Kayal on for Daryl Murphy.
  • 49:04 Steven Saunders is ruled offside. Fraser Forster takes the indirect free kick.
  • 48:17 James Forrest concedes a free kick for a foul on Jamie Murphy. Tom Hateley crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance made by Joe Ledley.
  • 46:29 The referee blows for offside. Emilio Izaguirre takes the indirect free kick.
  • 45:01 The second half kicks off.
  • Half Time
  • 45:00+1:04 The match has reached half-time.
  • 42:00 Centre by Chris Humphrey, clearance by Emilio Izaguirre. Inswinging corner taken by Alan Gow, clearance by Daniel Majstorovic.
  • 41:00 Scott Brown gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tom Hateley. Stevie Hammell takes the free kick.
  • 39:39 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Alan Gow by Daniel Majstorovic. Tom Hateley takes the direct free kick.
  • 39:39 Booking Daniel Majstorovic goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.
  • 37:42 Substitution Daryl Murphy replaces Olivier Kapo.
  • 36:54 Mark Wilson produces a cross, clearance made by Stephen Craigan.
  • 33:17 Joe Ledley has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the goal.
  • 32:27 Patrick McCourt sends in a cross.
  • 28:18 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Mark Wilson from the right by-line, clearance made by Mark Reynolds.
  • 27:11 A cross is delivered by Olivier Kapo, clearance by Marc Fitzpatrick.
  • 26:08 Short corner taken by Mark Wilson from the right by-line, assist by Mark Wilson.
  • 26:08 GOAL – Patrick McCourt:Celtic 1 – 0 Motherwell Patrick McCourt fires in a goal from just outside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Celtic 1-0 Motherwell.
  • 24:18 Joe Ledley delivers the ball, Stevie Hammell manages to make a clearance.
  • 22:43 Inswinging corner taken by Alan Gow from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Scott Brown.
  • 20:46 Foul by Daniel Majstorovic on Tom Hateley, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Stephen Craigan.
  • 20:21 Unfair challenge on Daniel Majstorovic by Chris Humphrey results in a free kick. Daniel Majstorovic restarts play with the free kick.
  • 19:07 Foul by Daniel Majstorovic on Alan Gow, free kick awarded. Tom Hateley takes the direct free kick.
  • 18:31 Olivier Kapo produces a cross.
  • 16:41 Olivier Kapo fouled by Steven Saunders, the ref awards a free kick. Mark Wilson delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel, Stephen Craigan manages to make a clearance.
  • 13:58 Shot from just outside the box by Olivier Kapo misses to the left of the goal.
  • 12:33 Patrick McCourt has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the goal.
  • 11:44 The referee blows for offside against Olivier Kapo. Indirect free kick taken by Darren Randolph.
  • 10:11 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Chris Humphrey by Emilio Izaguirre. Free kick taken by Stephen Craigan.
  • 8:16 Thomas Rogne gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Marc Fitzpatrick. Tom Hateley delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel, Thomas Rogne makes a clearance.
  • 7:52 Shot from just outside the box by Joe Ledley misses to the left of the goal.
  • 7:20 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Mark Wilson from the right by-line, clearance by Stephen Craigan.
  • 6:30 Tom Hateley challenges Joe Ledley unfairly and gives away a free kick. Joe Ledley restarts play with the free kick.
  • 5:43 The ball is swung over by Mark Wilson.
  • 3:17 The ball is crossed by Patrick McCourt, Stevie Hammell makes a clearance. Short corner taken by Mark Wilson from the right by-line. Short corner taken by Patrick McCourt.
  • 1:15 Shot by Joe Ledley from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.
  • 0:00 The game kicks-off