2015-01-21: Celtic 4-0 Motherwell, SP

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Trivia

A minute’s applause in memory of Martin ‘Kano’ Kane from the Kano Foundation who sadly passed away recently. RIP.
Stiliyan Petrov thanks fans as he enters final week of cancer treatment
Loads of fun & games in Sevco’s current plight [sic!], it’s all going pear shaped for them. You can hunt out the mountains of funny stories on the web
Transfer window opens:
Little moves anywhere in the January Transfer window.
Berget not to be retained on loan, few complain. He’s gone.
Rumours of Commons to Bolton (Lennon is the manager there).
Celtic have supposedly put in a £350k bid in for a player from Israel whose club is desperate for cash.
Amido Baldé, who was last on loan from Celtic at Waasland-Beveren, has signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv
Efe Ambrose has been linked with Premier League duo West Ham and Crystal Palace for £3m
Celtic soon to buy Gary McKay Stevens from Dundee Utd acc to rumours. Celtic end up signing him on pre contract, coming in sunmer.
Ashdod left-back Juwon Oshaniwa claims Celtic have contacted the Israeli club to enquire about his availability.
Celtic put in bid for Dundee Utd’s Armstrong.
Stokes rumour to Leeds.

Review

(Columbo of KDS)
We played well – bit more urgency about us from the start , moving the ball around well.

Motherwell were poor but we gave them a pounding.

Matthews looks finally to have found a bit of form and along comes Lustig to take his place in the team. Poor Adam.

Was treated to hospitality in the north stand last night – seat right on the half way line – my own seat is half decent but that really is the way to do it.

I wish I was rich instead of good looking.

Teams

Celtic

26 Gordon
02 Matthews (Lustig – 45′ )
05 van Dijk
22 Denayer
03 Izaguirre
06 Bitton
08 Brown
10 Stokes (Forrest – 64′ )
15 Commons
25 Johansen (Scepovic – 70′ )
28 Griffiths

Substitutes

04 Ambrose Emuobo
09 Guidetti
12 Scepovic
23 Lustig
24 Zaluska
42 McGregor
49 Forrest

Goals

goals van Dijk 26′ Griffiths 42′ Lustig 76′, 81′

Motherwell

12 Twardzik
05 Ramsden
15 O’Brien (Moore – 71′ )
06 McManus
38 Watt
02 Reid
04 Carswell
18 Law Booked
48 Pearson
07 Ainsworth (Thomas – 45′ )
09 Sutton (Erwin – 67′ )

Substitutes

13 Nielsen
19 Erwin
20 Kerr
22 Moore
26 Thomas
29 Cadden
39 MacLean

Ref: Bobby Madden

Att: 42,296

Articles

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

Pictures

Match Pictures

Forum

MOTM

Voting Thread
Result Thread
Winner –

Stats

Celtic Motherwell
Possession
62% 38%
90mins
Shots
17 2
On target
7 0
Corners
5 2
Fouls
2 4

Articles

Celtic 4-0 Motherwell: Celtic reach summit
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/celtic-4-0-motherwell-celtic-reach-summit-1-3668668

Celtic’s Mikael Lustig (left) celebrates with team-mate James Forrest after scoring his side’s third goal of the game. Picture: SNS

by STEPHEN HALLIDAY

Updated on the 22 January
2015
00:17

Published 21/01/2015 21:48
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106 comments Have your say!

CELTIC sauntered back to the top of the Scottish Premiership table with a victory over a labouring Motherwell side which was as facile as it was comprehensive.

Scorers: Celtic – Van Dijk (26), Griffiths (42), Lustig (76, 81)

Goals from Virgil van Dijk and Leigh Griffiths barely told the story of the champions’ first -half dominance, while only a combination of poor finishing and misfortune restricted them to substitute Mikael Lustig’s late double after the break.

While Ronny Deila’s men have re-asserted themselves in the title race, moving one point ahead of Aberdeen with a game in hand, these are worrying times for Motherwell, who are in the relegation equation after four consecutive league defeats.

Ian Baraclough’s side arrived with a gameplan which, from the very start, prioritised damage limitation. With club captain Keith Lasley missing through injury, defender Simon Ramsden was deployed as a holding midfielder in front of the back four in a defensively minded formation which left lone striker John Sutton about as isolated as it gets.

Celtic monopolised possession with the visitors seldom able to retain the ball for more than a couple of passes whenever they did manage to get a hold of it. By contrast, the champions were tidy and precise as they knocked it around confidently, albeit being guilty at times of over-elaboration in and around the penalty area.

Kris Commons retained his place in the Celtic starting line-up amid ongoing speculation over his future, joining Stefan Johansen and Anthony Stokes in a lively advanced midfield trio offering plenty of movement in support of central frontman Griffiths. It was Commons who threatened first for the champions, seeing a close-range shot deflected narrowly off target, before Johansen was similarly close with a decent effort from around 20 yards.

Motherwell’s policy of containment was already under severe duress and skipper Stephen McManus was forced to concede a free-kick in a dangerous position with a foul on Commons. The set piece was struck sweetly by Stokes but the ball curled just over the top.

Commons came close again in the 20th minute, showing some slick footwork before firing a shot over and, six minutes later, Celtic deservedly broke the visitors’ creaking resistance. Stokes’ corner from the left was cleared straight back out to him and he returned a perfect cross to pick out Van Dijk, who rose above McManus to head home his seventh of the season from close in.

Motherwell’s initial response to the setback was to show a greater degree of enterprise. Stephen Pearson, making his second “debut” for the Fir Park club, almost caught out Celtic keeper Craig Gordon with a clever cross-***-shot from the left which drifted just off target.

As Celtic’s level of intensity dropped temporarily, Van Dijk then had to be alert to slide in ahead of Sutton and clear a dangerous Pearson cross inside the six-yard box. It was a reminder to Deila’s men that they still had work to do and they duly regained the initiative in the closing stages of the first half.

Griffiths should have done better when he worked himself into a good position before taking a touch too much and allowing Mark O’Brien time to block his shot. But Griffiths made up for it when he doubled Celtic’s lead three minutes before the interval. Stokes was again the provider, delivering another

ideally weighted cross from the left which Griffiths nodded firmly beyond Twardzik from the edge of the six-yard box.

Both sides made a change at the start of the second half, Celtic defender Lustig making his return from a two-month injury absence for Adam Matthews, while Motherwell introduced young winger Dominic Thomas for the ineffective Lionel

Ainsworth.

Thomas made an instant impact, coming close to pulling a goal back for the visitors when he cut in from the right and clipped the outside of Gordon’s left hand post with a low shot.

It was an indication of greater attacking intent from Motherwell but it was Celtic who remained the more dominant and menacing side.

Johansen was unfortunate not to make it 3-0 in the 58th minute, heading Izaguirre’s cross against Twardzik’s right- hand post. The Norwegian came close again when his shot from a Lustig pass was well saved by the keeper. The frame of the goal came to Motherwell’s rescue again in the 65th minute, although only Izaguirre can explain how he contrived to smash the ball against the crossbar from a couple of yards out after being set up by Griffiths.

It was Lustig who finally ensured that the scoreline more accurately reflected Celtic’s almost total control,

The Swedish international swept home a left-foot shot from Forrest’s cutback in the 76th minute, then met a Griffiths cross with a firm diving header to beat Twardzik again five minutes later.

With Celtic pouring forward at will, Lustig almost became the unlikeliest of hat-trick heroes when he smacked a shot against the crossbar just five minutes from time.

Celtic: Gordon, Matthews (Lustig 46), Denayer, Van Dijk, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton; Commons, Johansen (Scepovic 70), Stokes (Forrest 63); Griffiths. Subs not used: Zaluska, Ambrose, McGregor, Guidetti..

Motherwell: Twardzik, Reid, O’Brien (Moore 71), McManus, Watt; Ramsden; Ainsworth (Thomas 46), Carswell, Pearson, Law; Sutton (Erwin 67). Subs not used: Nielsen, Kerr, Cadden, MacLean.

BBC
By Colin Moffat BBC Scotland at Celtic Park

Celtic move top of the Scottish Premiership
Mikael Lustig scores twice on return from injury
Third consecutive win with clean sheet for Celtic
Fourth straight loss for Motherwell

Celtic eased back to the top of the Premiership in style as Motherwell were torn to pieces at Parkhead.

Virgil van Dijk and Leigh Griffiths helped themselves to close-range headers in the first half, with Anthony Stokes the supplier on both occasions.

With the hosts utterly dominant, Mikael Lustig tucked away a cross from James Forrest after the break.

And a comprehensive victory was settled when Lustig crashed in an impressive late diving header.

The Swedish defender, making his return from a two-month injury break as a half-time replacement, was denied a hat-trick in the final minutes when he struck the crossbar – the third time Celtic had hit the woodwork.

The one-sided triumph lifts Celtic one point ahead of Aberdeen, with a game in hand, while a fourth consecutive loss for Motherwell leaves them just two points above the relegation play-off place.

That a full-back should be so close to taking home the match ball is telling, since the position played an integral part in this demolition.

With Motherwell posing no attacking threat, Emilio Izaguirre and Adam Matthews, then Lustig, were allowed to push high up the park and the trio were a constant threat.

Stefan Johansen went close with a powerful drive from 30 yards, while a Stokes free-kick was not far off target before the breakthrough goal arrived.
Virgil van Dijk scores for Celtic against Motherwell

Van Dijk netted his seventh goal of the season

A Stokes corner was nodded back into his path and he swung a precise cross towards the far post where the towering Van Dijk was waiting to head in his seventh goal of the season.

Stephen Pearson was given a start on his return to Motherwell and his promising break down the right flank almost resulted in an equaliser. Lacking any support, the midfielder went for an ambitious angled chip and Celtic keeper Craig Gordon was relieved to see the shot drift narrowly wide of the top corner.

The visitors continued to camp on the edge of their own penalty box in a bid to repel Celtic’s often over-elaborate attacks, but were undone moments before the interval when Griffiths darted in behind the hard-pressed rearguard to head home another good delivery from Stokes.

Celtic skipper Scott Brown volleyed over the top early in the second half before Motherwell were presented with a good chance to reduce the deficit.

Stuart Carswell stole the ball from Izaguirre and slipped a pass to substitute Dominic Thomas but the teenager hurried a shot into the side-netting from 12 yards.

With Celtic relentless and the overburdened visitors tiring, frequent holes began to appear in the Motherwell defence.

Johansen struck the post with a stooping header from Izaguirre’s delicious, curling delivery, with keeper Dan Twardzik first to the loose ball.

Soon after, Twardzik made a good sprawling save to keep out a fierce strike from Johansen and Izaguirre somehow hit the crossbar from five yards, having been teed up by Griffiths.
Celtic players celebrating

Celtic were comfortable winners on the night

Twardzik pushed away two shots from Kris Commons either side of the third goal, which saw substitutes Forrest and Lustig combine to good effect.

Forrest scurried forward from the left and his low cross was swept home from by the defender in a busy penalty area.

The best goal was saved for last when Lustig surged forward to power a fantastic header into the top corner as he ran on to a Griffiths cross.

The Swede then sent a rising shot against the frame of the goal with beleaguered Motherwell caught napping at a free-kick near the touchline as Celtic sent out an ominous warning to their challengers.
Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6)
Celtic

26 Gordon
02 Matthews (Lustig – 45′ )
05 van Dijk
22 Denayer
03 Izaguirre
06 Bitton
08 Brown
10 Stokes (Forrest – 64′ )
15 Commons
25 Johansen (Scepovic – 70′ )
28 Griffiths

Substitutes

04 Ambrose Emuobo
09 Guidetti
12 Scepovic
23 Lustig
24 Zaluska
42 McGregor
49 Forrest

Motherwell

12 Twardzik
05 Ramsden
15 O’Brien (Moore – 71′ )
06 McManus
38 Watt
02 Reid
04 Carswell
18 Law Booked
48 Pearson
07 Ainsworth (Thomas – 45′ )
09 Sutton (Erwin – 67′ )

Substitutes

13 Nielsen
19 Erwin
20 Kerr
22 Moore
26 Thomas
29 Cadden
39 MacLean

Ref: Bobby Madden
Att: 42,296
Match Stats
Possession38%62%90minsCelticMotherwell
Shots
17 2
On target
7 0
Corners
5 2
Fouls
2 4
Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Celtic 4, Motherwell 0.
90:00 +1:14 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Celtic 4, Motherwell 0.
88:05

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Dan Twardzik.
87:53

Attempt saved. Scott Brown (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
84:44

Mikael Lustig (Celtic) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the centre of the box.
84:16 Booking

Booking Josh Law (Motherwell) is shown the yellow card.
84:09

Mikael Lustig (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84:09

Foul by Josh Law (Motherwell).
80:24 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 4, Motherwell 0. Mikael Lustig (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Leigh Griffiths.
78:55

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is just a bit too high.
75:01 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 3, Motherwell 0. Mikael Lustig (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by James Forrest.
72:57

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right.
70:56 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Motherwell. Craig Moore replaces Mark O’Brien.
69:35 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Stefan Scepovic replaces Stefan Johansen.
66:40 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Motherwell. Lee Erwin replaces John Sutton.
64:49

Attempt saved. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
64:38

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the centre of the box.
63:12 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. James Forrest replaces Anthony Stokes.
62:02

Attempt saved. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
58:23

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) hits the right post with a header from the centre of the box.
56:34

Attempt missed. Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left.
50:29

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
50:29

Dom Thomas (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
48:20

Attempt missed. Dom Thomas (Motherwell) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
47:32

Attempt missed. Dom Thomas (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
45:00

Second Half begins Celtic 2, Motherwell 0.
45:00 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Mikael Lustig replaces Adam Matthews.
45:00 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Motherwell. Dom Thomas replaces Lionel Ainsworth.
45:00 +0:15 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Celtic 2, Motherwell 0.
41:59 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 2, Motherwell 0. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) from a free kick with a header to the top left corner.
41:55

Hand ball by Lionel Ainsworth (Motherwell).
38:04

Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Jason Denayer.
36:29

Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Adam Matthews.
31:52

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
25:53 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, Motherwell 0. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) header from the right side of the six yard box to the top right corner. Assisted by Anthony Stokes.
25:19

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Craig Reid.
19:59

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses the top right corner.
12:38

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Craig Reid.
10:24

Attempt missed. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
9:35

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
9:35

Foul by Stuart Carswell (Motherwell).
6:33

Attempt missed. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
5:51

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Stephen McManus.
5:05

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Stephen McManus.
1:49

Foul by Josh Law (Motherwell).
1:49

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
0:35

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
0:35

Stephen Pearson (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

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