2012-04-22: Motherwell 0-3 Celtic, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 2011 – 2012 | 2011-2012 Pictures

Trivia

• Celtic have already won the league, and Lennon let some players have a chance who otherwise wouldn't have started.
• Brozek full debut; Tony Watt debut and scores double!!!!
• Lennon gets a lenient punishment of two match ban from the touchline after the end of match fracas from last Sunday v Hearts in the Cup.
• Possibly last ever game v Rangers next Sunday. Rangers likely in liquidation in next few weeks.
• Names on the back of the Shirts in Thai. Shirts to be auctioned for charity to help the "Thai Tims" who are visiting Celtic to warm our hearts.

Review

(Paul James 123 of KDS forum)
Typical end of season game and a good chance to see some of the fringe players and try some new formations. No harm in that.

Brozek looked rusty due to a lack of games but its hard to see what he will offer us that we dont already have from Hooper and Stokes. Doesn't look a standout at this stage.

Wanyama and Ledley played well and showed how shameful it is that neither got a look in for player or young player of the year.

Zaluska made a couple of good saves and it was good to see 90 minutes from Izzaguirre..

The young guy Watt will get all the headlines and deservedly so. Took his 2 goals very well.

McCourt offered a bit of creativity that we have been missing recently. I would understand if he left but it would be a shame to lose that option from the squad. Some of passing is outstanding.

And after all the abuse he took last week, does Neil Lennon get credit for an inspired sub to turn a 0-0 into a 2-0 in 5 minutes?

Teams

Articles

• Match Report (see end of page below)
• Audio Report: Paradise Report

Pictures

• Match Pictures

Forum

• Pre-match
• Match
• Post Match

MOTM

• Voting Thread
• Result Thread
• Winner –
• 2011-12 Winners

Stats

Motherwell v Celtic

Possession
56% v 44%
93mins

Shots
12 18

On target
7 10

Corners
4 4

Fouls
11 5

Articles

Watt a debut as Celts storm past Steelmen

By: Mark Henderson on 22 Apr, 2012 15:59

Scottish Premier League
Fir Park, Motherwell
Sunday, April 22, 2012

MOTHERWELL…0

CELTIC…3
Watt 63, 66, Cha 83

TEENAGE striker Tony Watt enjoyed a dream debut for Celtic as he scored a second-half double to help the Hoops to an impressive 3-0 victory over Motherwell.

Just minutes after entering proceedings as a substitute, the 18-year-old converted a cross from Victor Wanyama, and, incredibly, he grabbed his second shortly after with a composed and clinical finish.

Cha Du Ri rounded off an excellent afternoon for the champions by heading home from Paddy McCourt´s delivery, restoring the champions´ 18-point lead at the SPL summit.

Although the title had already been secured, the management team had set the players a target of a perfect run-in over the final five matches of the campaign.

With that in mind, while there were several changes to the starting XI from last week´s Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts, it remained a strong Celtic side, whose names on the back of the shirt were all in Thai and will be auctioned off at the start of the week for the Good Child Foundation´s forthcoming visit.

It was also a team who were full of intent, judging by the flying start they made to the match, with Kris Commons, operating in a central attacking midfield role, flashing a shot just wide of the target in the opening minute.

Pawel Brozek, making his first competitive start for the Hoops, was also presented with a decent scoring opportunity seconds later but he couldn’t divert Cha´s cross from the right on target.

Celtic continued to look the more menacing, particularly when Cha and Emilio Izaguirre made progress down each flank. A corner from Ki Sung Yueng in the10th minute caused a melee in the box but was eventually scrambled away by the home side, before Wanyama showed good strength to win possession. His ambitious effort flew past the post, though.

At the other end, the Steelman attempted to utilise Chris Humphrey´s explosive pace at every opportunity, and the winger forced Lukasz Zaluska into a fine stop after he had broke into the box.

Izaguirre´s frequent forward forays continued to be a source of supply for Celtic, however, and Brozek came close to connecting with two of his searching crosses into the box.

The lively Humphrey tested Zaluska from distance before Brozek failed to convert a golden chance for the visitors. Driving forward from defence, Wanyama picked out the Polish striker´s run into the area but he dragged his shot wide.

An injury to Ki forced the South Korean to exit proceedings as half-time approached. Paddy McCourt took his place in midfield.

The switch failed to diminish Celtic´s attacking momentum, though, as the visitors created a raft of chances just before the interval – Joe Ledley saw a shot deflected over after a solo run, Commons fired wide from Cha´s cutback, Randolph denied Brozek and the keeper smothered a volley from Commons.

Somehow, Celtic still had to make the breakthrough and nearly paid for their profligacy in the 50th minute as Nicky Law shot wide when well positioned.

The same player then tested Zaluska, before Ledley was off target with a powerful shot. An exquisite pass from McCourt gave Cha a clear sight of goal but his weak effort was gratefully gathered by Randolph.

On the hour mark, Watt entered the fray for Brozek for his Celtic debut and what a memorable occasion it would prove to be for the boyhood Celtic fan as he broke the deadlock with just his second touch of the ball.

Cha´s cushioned header sent Wanyama scampering clear down the right and Watt was perfectly placed at the far post to turn the Kenyan´s powerful delivery into the net in front of the Celtic support.

Remarkably, it was still to get better for the 18-year-old. After a surging run through the middle, Ledley found Watt in the box and he manufactured a yard of space, before clinically finding the bottom corner.

Commons stinging shot produced a wonderful save from Randolph as the Hoops looked to press home their dominance.

And in the closing stages, Celtic added a third from an unlikely source. McCourt picked up possession on the left and his deep cross was headed beyond Randolph by Cha – his second goal for the club.

Hooper and McCourt had chances to make scoreline more flattering from Neil Lennon´s men as the clock ticked down as the Bhoys comfortably saw the game out -but this game will forever be remembered for Watt´s incredible contribution.

MOTHERWELL (4-4-2) Randolph, Hateley, Hutchinson, Clancy, Hammell; Humphrey, Jennings, Carswell (Murphy 67) Law, Daley (Ojamaa 61); Higdon
Not Used: Hollis, Saunders, McHugh, Forbes, Halsman

CELTIC (3-5-2) Zaulska; Wanyama, Rogne, Mulgrew; Cha, Ki (McCourt 41) Commons (Lustig 77) Ledley, Izaguirre; Brozek (Watt 60) Hooper
Not Used: Forster, Blackman, Stokes, Bangura

Attendance: 8760

Motherwell 0-3 Celtic

Updated: Sunday, 22 Apr 2012 16:20
RTE Sport

Celtic debutant Tony Watt scored twice in three remarkable second-half minutes to help the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions to a 3-0 victory over Motherwell at Fir Park.

The 18-year-old striker replaced Pawel Brozek in the 59th minute and volleyed in a Victor Wanyama cross three minutes later from a tight angle, before driving low past Well keeper Darren Randolph from the edge of the box.

Hoops wing-back Cha Du-ri headed in a third to deal a dent to the home side's Champions League aspirations, the Steelmen now only three points ahead of fourth-placed Dundee United.

But this game was all about the former Airdrie United player who would have given manager Neil Lennon immense satisfaction as he sat in the stand serving the first of his two-match touchline ban for criticising referee Willie Collum after last month's Scottish Communities League Cup final defeat by Kilmarnock at Hampden.

Lennon had handed Watt a place on the bench in a much-changed line-up.

Polish striker Brozek, on loan from Trabzonspor until the end of the season, made his first start while number two keeper and fellow Pole Lukasz Zaluska made a rare appearance in goals.

Full-backs Cha and Emilio Izaguirre, stopper Thomas Rogne and midfielder Wanyama also came in with Kelvin Wilson, Scott Brown, Georgios Samaras, Glenn Loovens, Fraser Forster and Mikael Lustig dropped out, with only the latter two starting on the bench.

Motherwell defender Stevie Hammell and midfielder Steve Jennings both returned from a ban while Jonathan Page and Keith Lasley were missing through suspension, as Omar Daley came in for Henrik Ojamaa, who started on the bench.

The visitors, captained for the day by striker Gary Hooper, started impressively.

Midfielder Kris Commons flashed a long-distance drive wide of the target before Brozek headed a Cha cross over the bar.

The Steelmen were pinned back by the width Izaguirre and Cha were giving Celtic down the flanks.

Motherwell's first real attack came midway through the first half when a flick from burly striker Michael Higdon set winger Chris Humphrey free but his drive drew a fine save from Zaluska.

The Parkhead side still controlled possession but in a swift Fir Park counter, the Celtic keeper had to make another save from Humphrey.

However, in the 34th minute Brozek passed up on a great chance to open the scoring after Wanyama had picked him out but the Hoops striker stabbed awkwardly at the ball which trundled past Randolph's right-hand post.

Five minutes from the interval Celtic midfielder Ki Sung-yueng limped off to be replaced by Paddy McCourt, who moments later lost possession giving Daley the chance to test Zaluska with an angled drive.

The first half ended with Randolph busy, the keeper making a save from a well-timed volley from Commons and a more fortuitous block from Brozek after the Poland international had made space for himself in the Fir Park box.

Lennon sat in the directors' box during the interval, unable to go down to the dressing room, and he watched Motherwell start the second half with some purpose.

Four minutes after the restart, Daley set up Nicky Law whose powerful drive from the edge of the box spun wide, the midfielder's second effort moments later guided better but easily saved by Zaluska.

But Celtic soon reasserted themselves and in the 55th minute McCourt split open the Fir Park defence with a great pass to find Cha racing into the Motherwell box but the South Korean's weak cut-back saw the ball was easily scooped up Randolph.

The disappointing Brozek was replaced by Watt, before Daley was hooked for Ojamaa.

Watt then made himself an almost instant hero with the Hoops supporters when he fired Celtic ahead by returning a deep Wanyama cross back towards the goal with Randolph unable to keep it out.

Three minutes later he was set up by Joe Ledley before drilling the pass low past Randolph from the edge of the box to complete a dream debut.

Watt's timely intervention had brought the Hoops fans to life and the obvious potential for a hat-trick was in the minds of everyone in the stadium.

However, in the 82nd minute it was Cha who got Celtic's third goal, heading in a deep McCourt cross from close range.

The travelling fans were now in full voice as they chanted for Lennon, who must have watched with some satisfaction from his seat in the stand.

BBC
By Andy Campbell BBC Sport Scotland

Debutant Tony Watt came off the bench to fire two goals as Scottish Premier League champions Celtic dealt a blow to Motherwell's European ambitions.

Celtic's Pawel Brozek fired wide and had another effort saved while 'Well's Chris Humphrey was twice denied by Lukasz Zaluska during the first half.

Watt volleyed the visitors ahead on 63 minutes and quickly struck his second.

Motherwell were unable to rally and Cha Du-Ri headed a third for Celtic seven minutes from the end.
Use accessible player and disable flyout menus

Stuart McCall's side are now just three points ahead of fourth-place Dundee United with four games to play.

Rangers' vastly superior goal difference means they are now just a point away from sealing the runners-up spot but the Ibrox side are unlikely to be eligible for European football next season, which would give the team finishing third a Champions League qualifying berth with Celtic.

The visitors made the early running with Kris Commons, Brozek and Victor Wanyama all unable to hit the target.

Motherwell's first real chance came midway through the first half when the pacy Humphrey got in behind Emilio Izaguirre and hammered a volley towards goal that was beaten away by Zaluska.
Celtic striker Tony Watt

Watt scored twice in three second-half minutes

And the Celtic stand-in keeper soon denied Humphrey again after the winger had struck a low drive from outside the area.

Wanyama's driving run and pass opened up space for Brozek on the edge of the Motherwell box but, with the goal at his mercy, the on-loan Trabzonspor striker stabbed his shot wide.

Omar Daley fired into the arms of Zaluska and, at the other end, Commons flashed another shot wide following another forceful run by Wanyama.

And Celtic had one more chance before the break as Brozek burst into the box off Commons' pass and forced keeper Darren Randolph to save with his feet.

Paddy McCourt, who had replaced the injured Ki Sung-Yueng before the interval, opened up the home defence with a superb splitting pass but Cha's hesitant pass was easily gathered by Randolph, the full-back left to rue his decision not to shoot.
Use accessible player and disable flyout menus

Youngster Watt was introduced for Brozek and quickly broke the deadlock.

Wanyama's back-post cross found the striker at a tight angle but he connected powerfully with the outside of his boot and Randolph could not stop it crossing the line.

And, within three minutes, Watt had doubled his tally, firing across Randolph into the net after being found by Joe Ledley.

Cha completed the scoring when he met McCourt's deep cross with a powerful header, Randolph only able to get a touch on the ball as it flew past him.

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +2:02 Full time

Full Time The final whistle goes and the game is over.
90:00 +0:43

Shot by Tony Watt. Save made by Darren Randolph.
88:54

Shot from just outside the box by Emilio Izaguirre goes over the crossbar.
86:43

Gary Hooper takes a shot from 20 yards. Blocked by Stevie Hammell.
84:57

Corner from the left by-line taken by Tom Hateley, Unfair challenge on Charlie Mulgrew by Michael Higdon results in a free kick. Lukasz Zaluska takes the direct free kick.
84:57

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Tom Hateley, Michael Higdon gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Charlie Mulgrew. Lukasz Zaluska takes the direct free kick.
82:13

Assist on the goal came from Patrick McCourt.
82:13 Goal scored

Goal – Du-Ri Cha – Motherwell 0 – 3 Celtic Du-Ri Cha finds the back of the net with a headed goal from close in. Motherwell 0-3 Celtic.
81:00

Stevie Hammell takes a shot. Save made by Lukasz Zaluska.
79:33

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Emilio Izaguirre by Henrik Ojamaa. Lukasz Zaluska restarts play with the free kick.
78:39

Effort on goal by Tom Hateley from 35 yards missed to the left of the goal.
77:59

Foul by Michael Higdon on Joe Ledley, free kick awarded. Mikael Lustig takes the free kick.
76:36

Free kick taken by Lukasz Zaluska.
76:36 Substitution

Substitution Mikael Lustig joins the action as a substitute, replacing Kris Commons.
76:36

Unfair challenge on Victor Wanyama by Michael Higdon results in a free kick.
76:11

Gary Hooper concedes a free kick for a foul on Tim Clancy. Stevie Hammell restarts play with the free kick.
75:03

Shot from outside the box by Henrik Ojamaa goes wide right of the target.
74:00

The assistant referee signals for offside against Tony Watt. Free kick taken by Darren Randolph.
73:20

The official flags Jamie Murphy offside. Indirect free kick taken by Lukasz Zaluska.
72:45

Effort from 20 yards by Henrik Ojamaa. Blocked by Charlie Mulgrew.
70:38

The assistant referee signals for offside against Gary Hooper. Darren Randolph restarts play with the free kick.
70:12

Short corner worked by Kris Commons.
69:59

Kris Commons takes a shot. Save by Darren Randolph.
68:31

Shot from just outside the box by Chris Humphrey misses to the right of the target.
67:49

Inswinging corner taken by Tom Hateley, Thomas Rogne makes a clearance.
66:59 Substitution

Substitution (Motherwell) makes a substitution, with Jamie Murphy coming on for Stewart Carswell.
65:03

Assist on the goal came from Joe Ledley.
65:03 Goal scored

Goal – Tony Watt – Motherwell 0 – 2 Celtic Tony Watt gets on the score sheet with a goal from just inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Motherwell 0-2 Celtic.
62:28

Victor Wanyama provided the assist for the goal.
62:28 Goal scored

Goal – Tony Watt – Motherwell 0 – 1 Celtic A goal is scored by Tony Watt from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. Motherwell 0-1 Celtic.
61:19

Tony Watt gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tom Hateley. Direct free kick taken by Darren Randolph.
59:49 Substitution

Substitution Omar Daley leaves the field to be replaced by Henrik Ojamaa.
58:53 Substitution

Substitution Tony Watt comes on in place of Pawel Brozek.
52:36

Shot from just outside the area by Joe Ledley misses to the left of the target.
50:44

Free kick awarded for a foul by Stewart Carswell on Joe Ledley. Patrick McCourt takes the free kick.
49:59

Nicky Law takes a shot. Save by Lukasz Zaluska.
49:04

Shot from just outside the box by Nicky Law misses to the left of the goal.
45:39

Free kick awarded for a foul by Pawel Brozek on Shaun Hutchinson. Direct free kick taken by Shaun Hutchinson.
45:01

The game restarts for the second half.
45:00 +1:07 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.
45:00 +0:22

Inswinging corner taken by Kris Commons from the right by-line, free kick awarded for a foul by Thomas Rogne on Michael Higdon. Darren Randolph restarts play with the free kick.
45:00 +0:04

Pawel Brozek takes a shot. Darren Randolph makes a save.
44:06

Kris Commons produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the goal.
43:44

Shaun Hutchinson takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Lukasz Zaluska makes a save.
42:45

Kris Commons has an effort at goal. Darren Randolph makes a save.
41:59

Foul by Tom Hateley on Kris Commons, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
41:32

Kris Commons takes a outswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Tim Clancy.
41:20

Joe Ledley takes a shot. Shaun Hutchinson gets a block in.
39:41

Tom Hateley crosses the ball in from the free kick.
39:41 Substitution

Substitution Patrick McCourt replaces Sung-Yeung Ki.
39:41

Free kick awarded for a foul by Charlie Mulgrew on Michael Higdon.
36:34

Foul by Michael Higdon on Charlie Mulgrew, free kick awarded. Strike comes in from Kris Commons from the free kick, Darren Randolph makes a save.
34:01

Pawel Brozek produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.
30:08

Shot by Chris Humphrey. Lukasz Zaluska makes a save.
29:58

Shot from 30 yards from Steve Jennings. Thomas Rogne gets a block in.
26:05

Gary Hooper is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Nicky Law restarts play with the free kick.
23:42

Shot from 20 yards from Chris Humphrey. Brilliant save by Lukasz Zaluska.
22:51

Du-Ri Cha fouled by Omar Daley, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Victor Wanyama.
17:43

Long range shot from Victor Wanyama misses to the left of the target.
16:14

Steve Jennings has an effort at goal from 35 yards. Save by Lukasz Zaluska.
11:55

Corner taken by Tom Hateley from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Emilio Izaguirre.
15:15

Tom Hateley takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, Joe Ledley manages to make a clearance.
11:55

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Tom Hateley played to the near post, Kris Commons makes a clearance.
11:33

Michael Higdon challenges Charlie Mulgrew unfairly and gives away a free kick. Thomas Rogne restarts play with the free kick.
10:39

The referee blows for offside. Charlie Mulgrew restarts play with the free kick.
9:17

Corner taken right-footed by Sung-Yeung Ki, clearance by Tim Clancy.
5:33

Chris Humphrey concedes a free kick for a foul on Emilio Izaguirre. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick.
5:14

The official flags Kris Commons offside. Free kick taken by Darren Randolph.
3:01

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Emilio Izaguirre by Chris Humphrey. Sung-Yeung Ki sends in a cross, Effort from inside the area by Victor Wanyama misses to the right of the target.
2:10

Header on goal by Pawel Brozek from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.
1:20

Kris Commons has shot on goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
0:00

The game begins