2017-02-18: Celtic 2-0 Motherwell, SP

Trivia

• Back to the league
• Dembele seven goals in three games
• Match overshadowed by crass and vicious tackle by M'well player on Tierney. He should have been red carded, but only got a yellow! Could have seriously injured Tierney.
• Brendan Rodgers has called for the club’s board to rip up and replace the Parkhead pitch with a Desso hybrid surface at the cost of around £2 million after claiming the surface was resulting in his team being able to play better away from home.
• Wim Jansen & Murdo MacLeoad, the manager and assistant who won the league title with Celtic in 1997-98, were present at Celtic for this game. Very welcome they were too.
• Celtic drawn v St Mirren in next round.
• Real Betis: Real Betis to wear green & white Hoops on 28th February.
• Moussa Dembele is set to make his full international debut for France next month after a scout watched his performance in Celtic’s 6-0 win over Inverness CT.
• Anecdote: Background – One of Real Betis’s co-founders Manuel Ramos Asensio, one of whom returned from a business trip to Glasgow in 1912 with a set of green and black striped shirts, donated by Celtic, and proposed Betis take up the colours. Asensio apparently loved the look, and outfitted his side in green and white, but switched to stripes to give them their own sense of identity. However, to mark Andalusian Day on 28 February, the Hoops will return to remember their humble beginnings.
• Sviatchenko says he doesn’t expect manager Brendan Rodgers to go anywhere soon – insists the head coach has ambitious plans to turn the Parkhead club into a Champions League force within five years.
• Celtic joined forces with Ajax, PSV and Anderlecht to lobby Uefa and push for an expanded Champions League (48 teams).
  
• Nadir Ciftci makes a loan move to Pogon Szczecin (Poland).

Review

(El Salto of KDS)
Very low key performance overall

Motherwells attitude was just to avoid a tanking, everyone behind the ball at all times

2-0 good enough, but until the penalty it has to be said that we never looked like scoring.

The tackle on KT was nothing short of a disgrace, a red all day long, yet it seemed to take an eternity to even get a yellow out for the guy.

Thought the ref went out of his way to keep the score down as the game drew to a close.

Great crowd.

(Asgardtreasure of KDS)
Nothing short of a brutal assault on Tierney by that clown. A red card every day of the week and twice on a Sunday. Much relieved he was able to shake that off, at first I thought it looked like a long term injury. Absolutely outrageous and the ref was a disgrace to give that a yellow.
Otherwise it was job done for the Scottish Champions and a step closer to 6IAR.
30 points clear of sevco

(Steboy of KDS)

Teams

Attendance: 56,366

Articles

• Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

• Match Pictures

Forum

• Pre-Match
• Match
• Post Match

MOTM

• Voting Thread http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/11019666/
• Result Thread
• Winner –

Stats

Celtic
Motherwell

Possession
Home63%
Away37%

Shots
Home15
Away6

Shots on Target
Home5
Away1

Corners
Home7
Away4

Fouls
Home9
Away9

Articles

Celtic 2 – 0 Motherwell: Moussa Dembele scores again as Celts ease to victory over Steelmen
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/celtic-2-0-motherwell-moussa-dembele-scores-again-as-celts-ease-to-victory-over-steelmen-1-4370364
Celtic extended their unbeaten domestic run since the start of the season to 31 games with a comfortable 2-0 Ladbrokes Premiership win over Motherwell at Parkhead.

200 Voices: find out more about the people who have shaped Scotland

After early huffing and puffing striker Moussa Dembele, who had scored hat-tricks in his previous two outings, opened the scoring from the spot in the 33rd minute with his 27th goal of the season.

Midfielder James Forrest added a second five minutes from the interval and after a similarly one-sided second-half ended with no more goals, Brendan Rodgers’ side moved back 27 points clear of Aberdeen who play at Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Celtic have only dropped two points – away at Inverness – this season and even far from their best they look as if they will take some beating as they motor towards the domestic treble.

Well boss Mark McGhee, on the other hand, will be glad to have emerged relatively unscathed after their 7-2 thrashing against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Wednesday night, when he found himself sent to the stand.

Rodgers made only one change to the side which beat Inverness 6-0 last week with stopper Jozo Simunovic in for Erik Sviatchenko who dropped to the bench, joined by midfielder Stuart Armstrong who returned from a hamstring injury.

Motherwell striker Scott McDonald returned from suspension and Craig Clay came in but McGhee had to change his plans when left-back Steven Hammell pulled up in the warm-up, replaced from the bench by former Celtic defender Joe Chalmers.

When veteran defender Stephen McManus – another former Celt – then pulled up in the second minute after playing a pass and had to be replaced by 20-year-old Zak Jules two minutes later, it looked ominous for the visitors

However, there was no expected Parkhead blitzkrieg.

The Hoops had the overwhelming majority of possession but their first chance did not arrive until the 24th minute when midfielder Liam Henderson knocked the ball past the post from eight yards, after Well keeper Craig Samson had parried an angled-drive from Forrest.

However, all Motherwell’s good defensive work was undone by a tackle by Jules on Dembele, which allowed the former Fulham forward to open his account for the afternoon by sending Samson the wrong way.

In a quick-fire response, Well striker Louis Moult reached a Chris Cadden cross but his back post header went behind and then Parkhead keeper Craig Gordon had to make a good save from a close-range effort by Stephen Pearson, yet another former Hoops player, after he had been set up by Moult.

However, that turned out to be only a moment of defiance and Forrest, after taking a Dembele pass, made it 2-0 when he turned Chalmers inside out before drilling a shot from 16 yards past Samson and in at the far corner.

Armstrong replaced Henderson for the start of the second half and within minutes Samson’s hands had been stung by a long-range drive by Nir Bitton, before Dembele fired wide from 16 yards.

Wave after wave of Celtic attacks continued but with much less zeal than normal.

Hoops winger Scott Sinclair blazed a Forrest cross over the bar before skipper Scott Brown came close with 25-yard drive.

Celtic’s tempo dipped in the final stages, understandably. With eight minutes remaining Pearson scooped the ball over Gordon’s bar from six yards but by that time the home side were cruising towards the final whistle.

BBC

By Chris McLaughlin

BBC Sport at Celtic Park

40 minutes ago From the section Football

James Forrest scores
James Forrest (far right) netted Celtic's second goal before half-time

Celtic restored a 27-point advantage at the top of the Scottish Premiership with victory over Motherwell.

Substitute Zak Jules, who had replaced Stephen McManus early on, fouled Moussa Dembele and the Frenchman scored the resulting penalty.

James Forrest's strike doubled Celtic's lead before the break.

Dembele and Scott Sinclair threatened with further efforts for the hosts in the second half as they moved to within five wins of the title.

Brendan Rodgers' side could have their lead cut to 24 again when nearest challengers Aberdeen visit Kilmarnock on Sunday but, with a far superior goal difference, Celtic could effectively win the league and secure a sixth straight top-flight title with 15 more points after clinching a 20th straight Premiership win.

Motherwell slip to 10th – three points above the relegation play-off place.
Bad luck and good defending
Craig Samson and Stephen McManus
McManus (right) lasted only five minutes against his former team

Motherwell's last visit to Celtic Park saw them frustrate the champions for long spells of the first half and so it was again in the east end of Glasgow.

The visitors had to suffer early frustration of their own, though, losing two experienced defenders from their starting XI before the game really got going.

Steven Hammell pulled up with a hamstring problem before kick-off and was replaced by former Celtic youth player Joe Chalmers. And, a few minutes after the game started, Jules replaced McManus in central defence after the former Celtic captain had pulled up with what looked like a groin problem.

In response to their own adversity, the men in claret and amber packed their defence and Celtic struggled to create meaningful chances.

Manager Mark McGhee, sent to the stand during his side's 7-2 thumping at the hands of Aberdeen on Wednesday, sat passively but pleased as his men held Rodgers' side at bay.
Broken before the break

His head was in his hands just after the half-hour, though, when his side gifted Celtic the lead.

Jules needlessly brought down Dembele inside the box and the striker duly sent goalkeeper Craig Samson the wrong way from the spot. The familiar roar from the Celtic Park stands signalled the home side were on their way.

It was only going one way after that and Forrest doubled the lead when his dancing run on the right ended with him firing low inside Samson's right-hand post. Celtic now looked in the mood.
Moussa Dembele scores a penalty
Moussa Dembele scored his 27th goal of the season to put the hosts ahead
Seeing it out

Stuart Armstrong provided another boost for the league leaders by playing the whole of the second half after four games out.

Dembele and Sinclair both passed up good chances early in the second half but the match settled into a bitty affair with Celtic dominating rather than demolishing Motherwell.

The visitors started to sneak forward as the game progressed knowing there was nothing to lose but Louis Moult and Scott McDonald were denied by a home defence keen to make it 12 clean sheets in 14 matches.

Celtic's usual intensity was missing but they never looked like dropping points against a side who were up against it before a ball was even kicked.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The players were technically very good on a very, very difficult surface.

"Moussa gets the penalty, uses his body really well, draws in the final. The second one's a great bit of play. I thought [Forrest] was outstanding. He gets a really good second goal.

"We were much better second half, used the sides better. [We] maybe could've scored two or three more goals.

"In the main, very pleased. Another clean sheet. Defensively we were strong. Another good victory."

Match ends, Celtic 2, Motherwell 0.
Full Time
Posted at 90'+3'

Second Half ends, Celtic 2, Motherwell 0.
Posted at 90'+1'

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Zak Jules.
Posted at 90'

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Keith Lasley.
Posted at 88'

Attempt blocked. Moussa Dembele (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Posted at 85'

Scott Sinclair (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 85'

Foul by Scott McDonald (Motherwell).
Substitution
Posted at 83'

Substitution, Celtic. Callum McGregor replaces Nir Bitton.
Posted at 83'

Attempt missed. Stephen Pearson (Motherwell) right footed shot from very close range is too high following a corner.
Posted at 82'

Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Dedryck Boyata.
Posted at 80'

Foul by James Forrest (Celtic).
Posted at 80'

Craig Clay (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 75'

Attempt missed. Scott Brown (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
Posted at 74'

Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Jozo Simunovic.
Posted at 71'

Attempt missed. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Posted at 70'

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Stephen Pearson.
Posted at 69'

Attempt missed. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Posted at 69'

Attempt missed. Ben Heneghan (Motherwell) header from the centre of the box misses to the left following a set piece situation.
Posted at 68'

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
Posted at 68'

Craig Clay (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 65'

Kieran Tierney (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Booking
Posted at 65'

Ryan Bowman (Motherwell) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 65'

Foul by Ryan Bowman (Motherwell).
Posted at 60'

Attempt missed. Craig Clay (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Posted at 60'

Attempt blocked. Scott McDonald (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 59'

Attempt missed. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
Posted at 58'

Scott Sinclair (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 58'

Foul by Jack McMillan (Motherwell).
Posted at 56'

Attempt missed. Moussa Dembele (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Posted at 55'

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 55'

Foul by Craig Clay (Motherwell).
Substitution
Posted at 54'

Substitution, Motherwell. Ryan Bowman replaces Chris Cadden.
Posted at 54'

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
Posted at 54'

Scott McDonald (Motherwell) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 52'

Attempt blocked. Moussa Dembele (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Posted at 49'

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Craig Samson.
Posted at 49'

Attempt saved. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Posted at 47'

Attempt blocked. Moussa Dembele (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Second Half
Posted at

Second Half begins Celtic 2, Motherwell 0.
Substitution
Posted at 45'

Substitution, Celtic. Stuart Armstrong replaces Liam Henderson.
Half Time
Posted at 45'+3'

First Half ends, Celtic 2, Motherwell 0.
Posted at 45'+2'

Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Posted at 45'+1'

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ben Heneghan.
Posted at 43'

Kieran Tierney (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 43'

Foul by Jack McMillan (Motherwell).
Goal!
Posted at 41'

Goal! Celtic 2, Motherwell 0. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Moussa Dembele.
Posted at 38'

Attempt saved. Stephen Pearson (Motherwell) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Posted at 37'

Foul by Jozo Simunovic (Celtic).
Posted at 37'

Scott McDonald (Motherwell) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 36'

Attempt missed. Louis Moult (Motherwell) header from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the left following a corner.
Posted at 35'

Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Jozo Simunovic.
Posted at 35'

Foul by Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
Posted at 35'

Scott McDonald (Motherwell) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Goal!
Posted at 34'

Goal! Celtic 1, Motherwell 0. Moussa Dembele (Celtic) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Posted at 33'

Penalty Celtic. Moussa Dembele draws a foul in the penalty area.
Posted at 33'

Penalty conceded by Zak Jules (Motherwell) after a foul in the penalty area.
Posted at 33'

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Louis Moult.
Posted at 31'

Moussa Dembele (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 31'

Foul by Scott McDonald (Motherwell).
Posted at 29'

Attempt missed. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left.
Posted at 25'

Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by James Forrest.
Posted at 24'

Attempt missed. Liam Henderson (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
Posted at 24'

Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 22'

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 22'

Foul by Craig Clay (Motherwell).
Posted at 21'

Foul by Jozo Simunovic (Celtic).
Posted at 21'

Craig Clay (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 18'

Foul by Liam Henderson (Celtic).
Posted at 18'

Keith Lasley (Motherwell) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 14'

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jack McMillan.
Posted at 11'

Foul by James Forrest (Celtic).
Posted at 11'

Joe Chalmers (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 9'

Foul by Louis Moult (Motherwell).
Posted at 9'

Dedryck Boyata (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution
Posted at 5'

Substitution, Motherwell. Zak Jules replaces Stephen McManus because of an injury.
Posted at 5'

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
Posted at 5'

Stephen Pearson (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 3'

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Posted at 3'

Delay in match Stephen McManus (Motherwell) because of an injury.
Kick Off
Posted at

First Half begins.