2013-04-28: Motherwell 3-1 Celtic, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 2012 – 2013 | 2012-13 Pictures

Trivia

• Celtic already league title winners last week. Motherwell are second.
• Rogne and Watt start for first match for long time.
• Celtic surprise everyone with a £100 reduction in season ticket prices and reintroduction of various child season tickets concessions. Very welcome but note could be a hit on the revenue and spending. Subsidised by Champions League money.
• Surprisingly no Celtic players nominated for players player of the year award. Most Celtic fans baffled and amazed. Lennon publicly lambasted it all, and said there was ill will in the changing room due to it. Should take it all as water off a ducks back. Winner will be the first non Glasgow side player to win the award since 1990.
• Higdon, favourite for the award, actually scored the winning goal v Celtic in today's game! Celtic players were gash. They should be playing for cup places.

Review

(declan brendan… of KDS forum)
Really pleased with the form of Watt today, since the incredible high against Barcelona he has struggled (for whatever reason) to get a place in the team.
Today showed what he has to offer, pace, strength, a good work ethic and a wee bit creativity. He`s a player all right.

Not much pass marks going around for anyone else, after going 3-1 Forster suddenly got the proverbial finger out and saved us from a real doing. Pity about before that though, should have done better at the first goal, no chance with the penalty, and the third, well it was genuine bad luck on his part.
He seemed really unsure though in the first half, summed up where a ball came into his area and both he and Lustig just sort of looked at it hoping someone would take responsibility. I`m as big a fan of Forster as anyone on this board but his form since returning from injury hasn`t been good enough.

Motherwell wanted it more, simple as that, our defence looked like a combination of clueless and petrified when trying to deal with Higdon. Time and again this season we have been bullied by players with very little going for them apart from sheer brute strength, Higdon and Steven Thompson spring immediately to mind.
The winger Humphries had Izaguirre on toast in the second half and that`s another worry.

I`m not sure whether I`d accuse the team of collectively downing tools but there does seem to be an apathy surrounding us at the moment, it`s going to take a real job by Lenny and his team to lift that ahead of the cup final.

(doyle07 of KDS)
It's been a funny old season, every time we've been beaten in the league its been the same story, attitude all wrong, wrong tactics etc. Barca/Benfica/Juventus beat us pretty much accept it, good teams etc. Unfortunately in Scotland if we played to our strengths, fired on all cylinders, got the tactics right, we would be heading for a treble, and winning every game 4,5 – 0, with our resources and playing staff every game would be a cantor. We need decent Hibs/Murderwell/DU/Aberdeen, to keep fans interested and pose a challenge to us maybe not yet in the league, but defo in the cups. We have won the league, and hopefully the cup. We have had some cracking games this season. DU 4-3, Ross County 2-3, Aberdeen 4-3 to name a few. Basiclly, as it stands just now we need to have the odd off day or two to keep the interest there with the fans. Today there was a slight arrogance from motherwell players, I did not like it, in the same way I didn't like Aberdeens arrogance in the early eighties, but hate to admit it there was real competition then, and coincidently, not from the huns.

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Stats

Motherwell Celtic

Possession
50% 50%
90mins

Shots
12 18

On target
7 9

Corners
4 5

Fouls
13 9

Articles

Motherwell dampen Celtic's celebration
ESPN staff
April 28, 2013
Henrik Ojamaa was on the scoresheet for Motherwell © PA Photos
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Motherwell clinched a Europa League spot in impressive style by coming from behind to beat Celtic 3-1 in an entertaining Scottish Premier League clash at Fir Park.

Gary Hooper opened the scoring for the visitors in the 39th minute before Henrik Ojamaa levelled seconds before the interval.

Motherwell's top scorer Michael Higdon put the home side ahead from the spot five minutes into the second-half after Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew was adjudged to have fouled Ojamaa just inside the box.

Five minutes later right-back Mikael Lustig headed a Tom Hateley cross against his own post with the luckless Hoops goalkeeper Fraser Forster seeing the ball come off him and into his own net.

Motherwell moved on to 60 points, nine ahead of third-place Inverness with three games remaining, and it would take a remarkable collapse to deprive the Steelmen of second spot but Europe is guaranteed.

There should be no surprise that Celtic looked ropey at times.

Having clinched the SPL title last week against Inverness, and with one eye on the early return in the summer for Champions League qualifiers, Hoops boss Neil Lennon allowed Kris Commons, Joe Ledley, Efe Ambrose and Kelvin Wilson to go on holiday.

Among the six changes to the visitors' side there were rare starts for defender Thomas Rogne, midfielder Tom Rogic and striker Tony Watt.

The game was delayed five minutes for running repairs to an advertising sign on the roof of one of the stands and then the home side applauded Celtic on to the park in tribute to their title win.

Watched by Lennon sitting in the stands serving the second of a three-match touchline ban, Watt flashed a drive over the bar from the edge of the box in the first minute.

Celtic had a decent chance in the 17th minute when stand-in skipper Georgios Samaras set up Beram Kayal at the edge of the box but the Israel midfielder's strike, powerful as it was, went straight to Well keeper Darren Randolph.

A trademark Mulgrew free-kick from 30 yards on the half-hour mark had Randolph throwing himself to his left to parry clear but three minutes later he made an even better save from Hooper, who had escaped Stevie Hammell at the back post to latch on to Rogic's cross.

It looked like the former Scunthorpe striker would have the easiest of tasks knocking in from three yards but Randolph brilliantly blocked the volley and the Steelmen breathed again.

There was a claim for a penalty at the other end seconds later when then ball looked to have come off Rogne's arm from a Keith Lasley flick but referee Euan Norris was having none of it.

Celtic's opener came when Watt sped past Simon Ramsden down the left and took advantage of Randolph coming too far off his line to knock the ball over to the unmarked Hooper.

The striker's header came off the crossbar before he gathered the rebound and knocked it over the line.

Motherwell looked rattled but were level when Lasley played in Ojamaa who went past Mulgrew with ease and before Lustig could intervene, he drove low past Forster and in at the near post.

It was an encouraging end to the first-half for Stuart McCall's men and there was only five minutes gone in the second-half when Mulgrew clashed with Ojamaa in the Celtic box and the referee pointed to the spot.

Higdon confidently slammed the penalty high past Forster for his 25th SPL goal of the season and the keeper's misery was compounded five minutes later when Lustig inadvertently put a searching cross from Hateley against his own post with the ball rebounding off the stopper and into the net.

The game stretched rather dramatically thereafter.

The home defence looked as fragile as Celtic's but in the 63rd minute Forster had to stretch to make a good save when Chris Humphrey's shot deflected off Mulgrew and looked like looping over him, with the Hoops defender completing the clearance.

The Fir Park side had a great chance to increase their lead in the 69th minute when Ojamaa sent James McFadden racing clear with a pass that cut open the Hoops defence but, with Humphrey looking for the cut-back, he drove straight at Forster, who made another decent save from Higdon's low drive from the edge of the box moments later.

The game petered out in rather ramshackle style with Celtic squandering a series of half-chances and substitute Anthony Stokes, on for Samaras, hitting the post but the home side deserved the cheers they got from their fans at the final whistle.

BBC

By Kenny Crawford BBC Sport Scotland

Motherwell guaranteed European football for the 2013/14 season by coming from behind to beat Celtic at Fir Park.

Gary Hooper put the visitors in front at the second attempt after initially heading against the crossbar.

Henrik Ojamaa levelled for Motherwell following good work from Keith Lasley.

Charlie Mulgrew's clip on Ojamaa allowed Michael Higdon to score from the penalty spot, then Mikael Lustig's misplaced header came off post and Fraser Forster for Motherwell's third.

This energetic and attacking performance from Motherwell secures their place in a Europa League qualifying round – the fifth time in six years they will play on the European stage.
Play media

Stuart McCall's men are also one point away from confirming a second-place finish in the Scottish Premier League.

Neil Lennon's Celtic are already SPL champions but have now lost on both of their visits to Fir Park in 2013.

Almost immediately after the slightly delayed kick-off caused by a loose advertising board on the roof of a stand, Celtic's Tony Watt hit a dipping half-volley narrowly over Darren Randolph's crossbar following Tom Rogic's flighted pass.

And Motherwell showed early attacking intentions, too, when Nicky Law's whipped cross almost found Shaun Hutchinson in the six-yard box.

Rogic and Celtic captain Georgios Samaras combined at the edge of the box to create a shooting opportunity for Beram Kayal, but the midfielder's effort was held at head height by Randolph.

Referee Euan Norris overruled his assistant's offside flag to allow Kayal another blocked shot inside the box as the visitors continued to press.
Gary Hooper's 29th goal of the season gave Celtic the lead at Fir Park

Gary Hooper's 29th goal of the season gave Celtic the lead at Fir Park

As he so often does, James McFadden took it upon himself to excite the Fir Park crowd just short of the half-hour, jinking between Kayal and Lustig on the left-hand side before sending a right-foot strike high and wide of the far post.

Celtic reacted through a swift attack engineered by the impressive Rogic, who fed Samaras to deliver low for Hooper in front of goal, but the attentions of Motherwell full-back Stevie Hammell scuppered his finish.

'Well goalkeeper Randolph then offered any potential suitors something of a sales pitch.

The Irishman dived left to keep out Mulgrew's free-kick before making himself big to brilliantly deny Hooper from close range at the back post after Watt's precise cross.

At the other end, Thomas Rogne's handball did not bring a penalty for Motherwell, which was made all the more hard to swallow given that the Hoops broke the deadlock a minute later.

The lively Watt eluded Simon Ramsden on the left and poked a cross over the onrushing Randolph for Hooper to first head against the bar before he netted the rebound.
Play media

But Motherwell hit back on the stroke of half-time.

Captain Lasley used his experience to collect and distribute the ball in two touches, setting up Ojamaa to fire in low at Forster's near post from 18 yards.

And the Estonian forward won an innocuous penalty when clipped by Mulgrew after the restart.

Player of the season nominee Higdon stepped up to convincingly convert into the top-right corner for his 26th goal of the campaign.

Higdon, albeit seeming to be in an offside position from Tom Hateley's cross, made his presence felt again immediately as Motherwell got their third.

The Liverpudlian forced Lustig to head against his own post, with it rebounding off the back of Forster and into the net.

Watt's blocked shot almost got Celtic back into the game before Forster kept them in it, reacting brilliantly to claw away a Chris Humphrey drive which had deflected off Mulgrew.

Celtic introduced Paddy McCourt but Motherwell's chances flowed freely; McFadden thwarted by Forster when he looked odds on to score before Celtic's keeper stopped Higdon's low shot.

Substitute Anthony Stokes hit the post for the visitors late on but Motherwell deserved their victory.

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +3:13 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.
90:00 +1:01

The assistant referee signals for offside against Anthony Stokes. Darren Randolph takes the indirect free kick.
90:00 +1:01 Substitution

Substitution Kallum Higginbotham comes on in place of Nicky Law.
90:00 +0:36

Effort from just inside the penalty box by Anthony Stokes strikes the post.
89:35

Anthony Stokes takes a shot. Darren Randolph makes a comfortable save.
88:55

Shot by Anthony Stokes from 25 yards. Shaun Hutchinson gets a block in.
88:03 Substitution

Substitution Henrik Ojamaa goes off and Zaine Francis-Angol comes on.
83:54 Substitution

Substitution Stewart Carswell joins the action as a substitute, replacing James McFadden.
83:54

Effort on goal by Anthony Stokes from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the goal.
80:33

Charlie Mulgrew decides to take the corner short. Patrick McCourt takes a shot from just outside the penalty area which clears the crossbar.
79:48

Mikael Lustig restarts play with the free kick.
79:48 Booking

Booking Keith Lasley booked for unsporting behaviour.
79:40

Unfair challenge on Gary Hooper by Keith Lasley results in a free kick.
78:33

Shaun Hutchinson concedes a free kick for a foul on Tony Watt. Emilio Izaguirre restarts play with the free kick.
76:41 Substitution

Substitution Anthony Stokes is brought on as a substitute for Georgios Samaras.
76:41

James McFadden fouled by Patrick McCourt, the ref awards a free kick. Tom Hateley takes the direct free kick. Effort from just outside the box by Nicky Law goes over the bar.
74:30

Unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras by Stevie Hammell results in a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing. Patrick McCourt takes a shot. Comfortable save by Darren Randolph.
72:17 Substitution

Substitution Tom Rogic leaves the field to be replaced by Dylan McGeouch.
70:58

Michael Higdon takes a shot. Fraser Forster makes a comfortable save.
68:48

James McFadden takes a shot. Fantastic save by Fraser Forster. Tony Watt is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Darren Randolph.
68:03

Corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the left by-line to the near post, Tom Hateley manages to make a clearance.
66:56

Shot from 20 yards from Henrik Ojamaa. Comfortable save by Fraser Forster.
66:09 Substitution

Substitution Patrick McCourt joins the action as a substitute, replacing Thomas Rogne.
63:42

Chris Humphrey takes a shot from 18 yards. Fraser Forster makes a fantastic save. Outswinging corner taken by Tom Hateley from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Emilio Izaguirre.
62:17

Mikael Lustig takes the free kick.
62:17 Booking

Booking Booking for Michael Higdon for unsporting behaviour.
62:04

Michael Higdon challenges Beram Kayal unfairly and gives away a free kick.
61:38

Beram Kayal takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Save made by Darren Randolph.
58:09

Corner taken right-footed by Tom Hateley from the right by-line, Header by James McFadden from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.
56:32

Free kick awarded for a foul by Georgios Samaras on Tom Hateley. Tom Hateley takes the direct free kick.
54:21

Assist by Tom Hateley.
54:21 Goal scored

Goal – Fraser Forster – Motherwell 3 – 1 Celtic Fraser Forster puts the ball into his own goal from 6 yards. Motherwell 3-1 Celtic.
50:59

The offside flag is raised against Henrik Ojamaa. Free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
49:26

Assist by Henrik Ojamaa.
49:26 Goal scored

Goal – Michael Higdon – Motherwell 2 – 1 Celtic Placed penalty scored by Michael Higdon. Motherwell 2-1 Celtic.
48:53 Booking

Booking Charlie Mulgrew goes into the referee's book.
48:32

Henrik Ojamaa fouled by Charlie Mulgrew, the ref awards a Penalty.
47:05

Thomas Rogne gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on James McFadden. Shot comes in from James McFadden from the free kick. Long range effort from Chris Humphrey misses to the left of the goal.
45:01

The game restarts for the second half.
45:00 +0:21 Half time

Half Time The first half comes to an end.
44:20

Keith Lasley provided the assist for the goal.
44:20 Goal scored

Goal – Henrik Ojamaa – Motherwell 1 – 1 Celtic Goal scored by Henrik Ojamaa from just outside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Motherwell 1-1 Celtic.
42:40

Stevie Hammell takes the free kick.
42:40 Booking

Booking Victor Wanyama is given a yellow card.
42:34

Victor Wanyama concedes a free kick for a foul on Keith Lasley.
41:19

Keith Lasley gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras. Direct free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew. Effort from 25 yards by Victor Wanyama. Blocked by Chris Humphrey.
39:24

Tony Watt provided the assist for the goal.
39:24 Goal scored

Goal – Gary Hooper – Motherwell 0 – 1 Celtic Gary Hooper gets on the score sheet with a goal from close in low into the middle of the goal. Motherwell 0-1 Celtic.
39:17

Gary Hooper takes a shot.
37:31

Shot by Henrik Ojamaa from 18 yards. Comfortable save by Fraser Forster. Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line, Stevie Hammell manages to make a clearance.
35:39

Tom Hateley decides to take the corner short. Shot from just outside the box by Chris Humphrey goes over the bar.
33:48

Shot by Gary Hooper. Save made by Darren Randolph. Shot by Victor Wanyama from just outside the area goes over the net.
31:23

The offside flag is raised against Tony Watt. Free kick taken by Darren Randolph.
29:31

Foul by Michael Higdon on Georgios Samaras, free kick awarded. Shot comes in from Charlie Mulgrew from the free kick, save by Darren Randolph.
28:50

Free kick awarded for a foul by Henrik Ojamaa on Tony Watt. Mikael Lustig takes the free kick.
27:33

Shot from close range by Gary Hooper misses to the left of the target.
26:35

Effort from deep inside the area by James McFadden misses to the right of the goal.
25:17

The referee gives a free kick against Henrik Ojamaa for handball. Charlie Mulgrew restarts play with the free kick.
23:33

Inswinging corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line, clearance made by Michael Higdon. Mikael Lustig concedes a free kick for a foul on Nicky Law. Direct free kick taken by Darren Randolph.
18:55

Unfair challenge on Victor Wanyama by Chris Humphrey results in a free kick. Victor Wanyama takes the direct free kick. Corner from the right by-line taken by Charlie Mulgrew, comfortable save by Darren Randolph.
17:11

Shot from 25 yards from Beram Kayal. Save made by Darren Randolph. Michael Higdon concedes a free kick for a foul on Charlie Mulgrew. Fraser Forster takes the direct free kick.
10:54

Unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras by Stevie Hammell results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Thomas Rogne.
8:44

Beram Kayal challenges James McFadden unfairly and gives away a free kick. Stevie Hammell restarts play with the free kick. Foul by Michael Higdon on Charlie Mulgrew, free kick awarded. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.
7:34

Tony Watt fouled by Simon Ramsden, the ref awards a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick. Header from deep inside the area by Thomas Rogne goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
6:22

Tom Hateley takes a short corner. A cross is delivered by Tom Hateley.
6:05

Foul by Thomas Rogne on Michael Higdon, free kick awarded. Keith Lasley takes the free kick.
5:48

Shot by Tom Rogic from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.
2:27

Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick.
2:27 Booking

Booking Shaun Hutchinson goes into the referee's book.
2:02

Shaun Hutchinson concedes a free kick for a foul on Georgios Samaras.
1:10

Shot from just outside the box by Tony Watt goes over the bar.
0:15

Foul by Thomas Rogne on Michael Higdon, free kick awarded. Stevie Hammell takes the free kick.
0:00

The match gets underway.

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