2002-01-02: Celtic 2-0 Motherwell, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 2001 – 2002 | 2001-2002 Pictures

Trivia

  • Henrik Larsson and John Hartson finally broke Motherwell's resolve with winning goals in the final 10 minutes.
    A totaly inept performance from Mr Freeland. Almost the worst so far but that accolade must go to the MIB at Tannadice last week – Rowbotham.

Review

In-form striker, John Hartson almost scored after just three minutes. The Welshman's curled cross deceived Woods, who decided the ball was going out only to see it bounce off the crossbar.
Larsson headed straight at Woods from close range, then sent another effort on to the roof of the net before screwing an effort wide of the post.
Hartson struck the post after stretching to meet an Alan Thompson free kick.
When Thompson was more direct from a set-piece early in the second half, Woods had to divert the powerful effort over the bar.
The goalkeeper saved low to his left to deny Larsson and bettered that to prevent a Valgaeren shot nestling in the bottom corner.
Hartson knocked Paul Lambert's long-ball into the path of Larsson, who stretched for the ball with Eric Deloumeaux and the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Hartson ended Motherwell's hopes of a late equaliser when he fired home Larsson's centre from close range for his thirteenth goal in as many starts.

Teams

Celtic:-
Douglas, Mjallby, Balde (Petta 78), Valgaeren, McNamara, Lennon, Lambert, Petrov (Moravcik 66), Thompson, Larsson, Hartson.
Subs not used:- Gould, Maloney, Smith.
Goals:- Larsson (81), Hartson(90).
Booked:- Thompson.

Motherwell:-
Woods, Ready, Strong, Deloumeaux, Corrigan, Dow, Soloy, Lasley (Elliott 87), Hammell, McFadden, Kelly.
Subs not used:- Brown, Martinez, Adams, Pearson.
Booked:- Ready, Kelly, Corrigan, McFadden.

Att:- 57,648
Ref:- A Freeland.

Articles

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Articles

Celtic break Well's resolve

BBC
Celtic 2-0 Motherwell

Henrik Larsson and John Hartson finally broke Motherwell's resolve with winning goals in the final 10 minutes.

It had looked like Well goalkeeper Stevie Woods would prove to be the hero after denying Celtic with a number of breathtaking saves.

Celtic had also squandered several gilt-edged chances, with Larsson the main offender, before the Swede finally broke the deadlock and Hartson added the second in the closing seconds.

Victory means that the defending champions open up a 13-point gap over second-top Rangers, whose game at Kilmarnock had become a victim of freezing temperatures.

Home manager Martin O'Neill had made one change from the side that crushed Dundee United 4-0 on Saturday.

Joos Valgaeren returned from suspension and replaced the injured Stephen Crainey.

Andy Dow was restored to the Motherwell line-up in an unfamiliar central midfield position as stand-in for suspended captain Scott Leitch.

Martyn Corrigan and James McFadden also came in for Derek Adams and Stuart Elliott.

The home crowd seemed subdued, perhaps by the news that O'Neill would not "dread" an approach from Manchester United to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson.

In-form striker Hartson almost brought them to life with a fluke after just three minutes.

The Welshman's curled cross deceived Woods, who decided the ball was going out only to see it bounce off the crossbar.

Larsson headed straight at Woods from close range, then sent another effort on to the roof of the net before screwing an effort wide of the post.

Hartson struck the post after stretching to meet an Alan Thompson free kick.

When Thompson was more direct from a set-piece early in the second half, Woods had to divert the powerful effort over the bar.

The goalkeeper saved low to his left to deny Larsson and bettered that to prevent a Valgaeren shot nestling in the bottom corner.

Celtic almost paid the price after 63 minutes when Steven Hammell's chip just had too much power to dip underneath the crossbar.

O'Neill went for the jugular by putting on the more attacking Lubo Moravcik and Bobby Petta – and it paid off.

Hartson knocked Paul Lambert's long-ball into the path of Larsson, who stretched for the ball with Eric Deloumeaux and the ball ended up in the back of the net.

Larsson will claim the strike, although there were suggestions that it was an own goal.

Hartson ended Motherwell's hopes of a late equaliser when he fired home Larsson's centre from close range for his thirteenth goal in as many starts.

Celtic: Douglas, Mjallby, Balde (Petta 78), Valgaeren, McNamara, Lennon, Lambert, Petrov (Moravcik 66), Thompson, Larsson, Hartson. Subs Not Used: Gould, Maloney, Smith.

Booked: Thompson.

Motherwell: Woods, Ready, Strong, Deloumeaux, Corrigan, Dow, Soloy, Lasley (Elliott 87), Hammell, McFadden, Kelly. Subs Not Used: Brown, Martinez, Adams, Pearson.

Booked: Ready, Kelly, Corrigan, McFadden.

Att: 57,648

Ref: A Freeland

O'Neill dismisses Man Utd link

BBC
O'Neill is relaxed about the lack of contract talks
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has categorically denied he wanted to become the next manager of Manchester United by insisting the only way he would quit Celtic would be if he was sacked.

O'Neill was responding to newspaper reports suggesting he was unhappy that the Celtic board had yet to offer him a new deal and that he would not "dread" an approach from Manchester United to replace Sir Alex Ferguson.

The reports went on to state that according to O'Neill, any contract talks would now have to be put on hold until the summer.

But the former Leicester City manager reckons his words were blown out of proportion and stated that he was happy to see out the remainder of his contract in Glasgow which expires in the summer of 2003.

O'Neill said: "Let me tell you that I haven't seen the headlines. But I was asked an innocent question about my contract which shouldn't have been a problem.

"There's nothing too much to read into it, in fact I have never gone out of my way to link myself with Manchester United.

"I thought I had made that clear when the paper said I had secret talks.

"I will say it again and I promise you that I'll never say it again, but my contract here runs to the end of next season and if I leave beforehand it will be because the board has sacked me.

"That's the end of the story. I never want to talk about a contract again – so that's my New Year's resolution."

In a bizarre twist, O'Neill definitely ruled himself out of the running for the lucrative Old Trafford post.

He added: "Manchester United is of no consequence to me and it is almost embarrassing.

"Alex Ferguson is the greatest manager in the modern era and he is still managing and he might want to stay for the next 30 years."

Celtic v Motherwell

2nd January 2002
SPL
http://www.100megsfree3.com/celticcrazy/rep2/2jan2002.html

There was a post New Year subdued atmosphere at Celtic Park for this fixture but the team started off brightly enough seemingly able to cut through the Motherwell defence at will. A neat interchange between Larsson and Hartson saw big John lay on a perfect header for Larsson which he inexplicably headed straight at the keeper. Missed chances were to be the order of the day in a match where Celtic dominated and Motherwell didn't even pretend to attack.

Henrik had another snap shot but put it well wide of the post. Hartson sent over a curling cross and it came off the face of the bar. When Hartson slid in from the right and cracked one of the post it looked as though it was going to be one of those days.

Not long into the second half Thompson tested Woods from distance, but he held the powerful shot well. Another chance fell to Larsson inside the box but his attempt to place it was easily covered by the keeper. Then Joos took a knockdown from Hartson and turned and shot. The keeper dived to his right making a superb save and putting the ball out for a corner.

The fans were calling for Lubo and he did come on in place of Petrov. He showed some nice touches down the right but in the five minutes following his appearance Celtic appeared unable to keep possession or create any chances. Lennon sorted that by collecting the ball in midfield and sending a high ball forward to Hartson. Larsson ran for the knock on with a defender in close attendance. He looked to have lost it and appeared to be falling over when he stuck out his right boot and angled the ball towards goal. The keeper had come out so the ball trundled past him into the net.Now Moravcik made his presence felt sending a series of defence splitting through balls. Larsson found himself in the box with only the keeper to beat but again he placed his shot and it was read by the keeper. A few minutes later, Moravcik found Larsson on the right and he advanced on the keeper. The fans half expected him to miss but instead he played a square ball to Hartson who drove it into the net.

In the end three points but not a very satisfying victory. I think if we had scored one of the early chances we might have knocked in four or five. Anyway let's hope Henrik has got all his misses out of his system.

A word about the referee. Thompson got booked for tripping a Motherwell attacker when it looked no more than a tangle of legs. Shortly afterwards a Motherwell player did a trip from behind and no action was taken. He did however correctly book a couple of Motherwell players for time-wasting.
Man of the Match: John Hartson

CELTIC (3-5-2): Douglas; Mjallby, Balde (Petta 74), Valgaeren; McNamara, Lennon, Lambert, Petrov (Moravcik 65), Thompson; Hartson, Larsson.
Subs: Gould, Maloney, Smith

MOTHERWELL (3-5-2): Woods; Strong, Ready, Deloumeaux; Corrigan, Soloy, Lasley (Elliot 86), Dow, Hammell; Kelly, McFadden
Subs: Brown, Martinez, Adams

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