Match Pictures | Matches: 2024 – 2025
Trivia
- KO: 15:00, Sunday, Sky TV, League match 24; Groundhog Day in USA today!
- Celtic on top on 63pts +55GD, whilst Sevco on 53pts +32GD but played one more game. Big story is Aberdeen, who are now 14 games without a win!
- Sevco v Ross County at same time.
- Callum McGregor makes his 500th appearance!
- Arsenal block Kieran Tierney January loan move to Celtic, already signed pre contract so joins up in summer.
- Jota has his returning debut for Celtic, and scores the final goal of the game from a great move, and celebrates like he’s just scored the league winner! Jota could not hold back the tears after scoring and same for many fans. The reception for him was incredible from the fans in the away end, and especially at the end of the game.
- Two more disallowed goals by Celtic: (1) Kuhn denied a stunning goal (overhead kick) due to offside. (2) M’well’s Tom Sparrow knocks the ball into his own net, but the goal is ruled out for an offside infringement against Adam Idah in the build-up.
- Celtic draw Bayern Munich in Champions League playoffs.
- Olympiacos have signed Luis Palma on loan until the end of the season.The Greek club will have an option to buy for £3.3m.
- Reports:
- Manchester United left-back Tyrell Malacia features on a list of Celtic loan options. Possible deal for striker Mathias Kvistgaarden, but Brondby want >£10m. Talks between Celtic and Brondby for striker Mathias Kvistgaarden have broken down. There was a gap in valuation between the clubs. Luis Palma has completed a medical pending of a loan move to Olympiakos, with the 25-year-old Honduras international on his way to Greece to finalise the transfer that includes an option to buy for £3.3m. Considering a move for 23-year-old £8m-rated Slovan Bratislava striker David Strelec. Josh Brownhill would be an option for Celtic on a free transfer in the summer if the 29-year-old is not offered a contract extension. . Taylor has pre contract offer from Zagreb. Talk of offer for Hearts left back James Penrice. Kelechi Iheanacho loan, previously played for Rodgers, but looks like talks failed.
West Ham have made a bid in the region of £500,000 to sign Celtic striker Daniel Cummings in this window. The 18yo has agreed a pre-contract with the EPL club.
- Transfer window Closes Monday at 11pm
- Transfer window :
- In: Jota returns to Celtic from Rennes (est £8m);
Out: Stephen Welsh to KV Mechelen (Belgium) on loan till end of season. Holm on loan to LA FC in the MLS for 2024. Kyogo to Rennes est £10m. Valle loan to Celtic ended early, he moves to Como on loan.
Bernabei sold to SC Internacional (Brazil) est £4.6m (rising to £5m with addons). Josh Dede moves to Middlesborough. Olympiacos have signed Luis Palma on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy for £3.3m.
Summary
“Fir Park is a decent distraction from Celtic’s window woes…”
The Celtic Star site (pre match)
“When I came in, Callum McGregor was a young player who was looking to really establish himself in the team,” the Celtic manager tells BBC Scotland. It was about developing the personality. Personality and mentality are the two biggest traits to develop at Celtic. It was really about inspiring him and trying to motivate him to play with belief. I virtually played him in every position because of his ability. He has just continued to grow and grow. He’s a real example of what it takes to play for Celtic. All young players at Celtic have the best example you could have in Callum McGregor.Young players have to be patient. You’re at a massive Champions League club. The pathway for any young player is here.”
Brendan Rodgers has been waxing lyrical about captain Callum McGregor’s 500th Celtic appearance.
Brendan Rodgers is pleased with the way Adam Idah has taken on the task of spearheading Celtic’s attack after Kyogo Furuhashi’s exit. “I’ve always known that, with Adam Idah, it’s about patience and support and time with him,” the Celtic manager says after the striker’s goal against Motherwell. “There’s no doubting his talent and his quality. You saw today that he’s a real handful.”
Brendan “I thought it was a very good performance. Tightened up a few things at HT. Thought the players were excellent. We were dominant. Jota is a long way from his best fitness levels but what you can see in cameo is he has tricks & ability. Everyone loves him here
Jota “Amazing feeling. Such a happy moment for me to come back. It’s been difficult moments. Ups and down and now I’m back home celebrating with fans. It will take time to reach my best levels. I will work hard every day to get there as quickly as possible”
Celticrumours @celticrumours.bsky.social:
“Jotas goal and tears – will go down as one of the great iconic moments of Celtic history.”
Meanwhile, of Jota’s tears after the winger scored on his return from Rennes, Rodgers adds:
“It’s a huge moment for Jota. That’s the very reason he’s come back. It’s important for creative players to feel wanted and appreciated. Celtic is the perfect environment for him. He has the tricks, but he’s also effective with it. He’s going to be a big asset for us.”
BBC: Motherwell entertain Celtic under caretaker Stevie Frail after Stuart Kettlewell resigned on Monday citing fan abuse that was affecting his family. While condemning what he described as the “minority” who harranged the former manager, Frail hopes to unite the whole fan base again as the club search for a permanent replacement.
Joebloggscity:First and foremost this was a day front & centre for the irreplaceable Callum McGregor who was marking his 500th match for Celtic, an incredible achievement that further put him amongst the greats of the club. An incredible captain, club servant and person, a truly humbling moment to see him through his career at the fore of the first team.
However, it was Jota who stole the headlines after his substitution late on and score the final goal in a fine match, but Maeda with a goal & two assist s deserves much credit too.
Celtic took a very early lead from a headed goal by Maeda who has been incredible this season (helped by a brilliant cross in by the under the radar Tony Ralston in for injured Johnston), but Motherwell fought back to equalise helped by an unfortunate error by Trusty. Motherwell in the first half were dogged & challenging, but Celtic were the strong side with Idah grabbing a 2-1 lead following a great set of passing around the Motherwell box.
Jota had his returning debut for Celtic, and scores the final goal of the game from a great move, and celebrates like he’s just scored the league winner! Jota could not hold back the tears after scoring and same for many fans. The reception for him was incredible from the fans in the away end, and especially at the end of the game. The Portuguese man got on the end of Maeda’s cross to tap in at the back post for his first back in Celtic colours. Must add the move started with a brilliant long field swerving pass by Engels, truly top class.
A great day for Celtic, and three more points. He might supposed to have been McGregor’s historic day but turned out to be one he allowed his colleagues to share in the glory.
Inside The SPFL @AgentScotland “Adam Idah loves Fir Park. He’s scored four goals in his three appearances there for Celtic, and so far averages a goal there every 26 and a half minutes. Maeda was tremendous this afternoon, a goal and two assists, can’t ask for much more, thought Idah played really well too, and Luke McCowan is made for games like this, nits the play together really well, Taylor was excellent as well, and Jota just had to have the last say.“
Teams
Celtic
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 – 3 – 3
01 K. Schmeichel
03 G. Taylor, subbed for L. Scales at 84mins
06 A. Trusty
20 C. Carter-Vickers
56 A. Ralston
41 R. Hatate, subbed for Paulo Bernardo at 84mins
42 C. McGregor (c), Captain
14 L. McCowan, subbed for A. Engels at 65mins
38 D. Maeda
09 A. Idah, subbed for Yang Hyun-Jun at 79mins
10 N. Kühn, subbed for Jota at 65mins
Subs:
27 A. Engels
28 Paulo Bernardo
02 A. Johnston
24 J. Kenny
17 M. Nawrocki
07 Jota
05 L. Scales
12 V. Sinisalo
13 Yang Hyun-Jun
Goals:
D. Maeda (1′)
A. Idah (29′)
Jota (90’+4)
Assists:
A. Ralston (1′), D. Maeda (29′, 90’+4)
Motherwell
Manager: Stephen Frail
Formation: 5 – 3 – 2
88 E. Balcombe
20 S. Blaney
04 L. Gordon
02 S. O’Donnell (c), Captain
56 D. Thompson, subbed for D. Zdravkovski at 76mins
21 M. Kaleta, subbed for H. Paton at 38mins
19 S. Nicholson, subbed for E. Wilson at 63mins
11 A. Halliday, subbed for W. Dickson at 76mins
07 T. Sparrow
55 T. Maswanhise, subbed for L. Plange at 63mins
59 L. Armstrong
Subs:
54 K. Andrews
05 K. Balmer
31 M. Connelly
58 W. Dickson
12 H. Paton
57 L. Plange
52 T. Watt
23 E. Wilson
06 D. Zdravkovski
Goals:
L. Armstrong (23′)
Referee Nick Walsh
Video Assistant Referee John Beaton
Assistant Referee 1 David McGeachie
Assistant Referee 2 Colin Drummond
Fourth Official Euan Anderson
Assistant VAR Official Graeme Stewart
Venue:Fir Park
Attendance:8,293
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Overall possession
Motherwell 19% Celtic 81%
Shots
Motherwell 2 Celtic 18
Shots on target
Motherwell 1 Celtic 9
Total touches inside the box
Motherwell 7 Celtic 41
Goalkeeper saves
Motherwell 6 Celtic 0
Fouls
Motherwell 5 Celtic 8
Corners
Motherwell 3 Celtic 10
Advanced match stats
Shots
Motherwell 2 Celtic 18
Shots on target
Motherwell 1 Celtic 9
Shots off target
Motherwell 1 Celtic 8
Blocked shots
Motherwell 0 Celtic 1
Attempts out of box
Motherwell 0 Celtic 4
Hit woodwork
Motherwell 0 Celtic 1
One-on-one attempts
Motherwell 0 Celtic 1
Total offside
Motherwell 1 Celtic 2
Total tackles
Motherwell 20 Celtic 18
Won tackles
Motherwell 11 Celtic 10
Fouls
Motherwell 5 Celtic 8
Total clearances
Motherwell 48 Celtic 15
Headed clearances
Motherwell 20 Celtic 8
Duels won
Motherwell 43 Celtic 44
Total passes
Motherwell 191 Celtic 828
Accurate passes
Motherwell 127 Celtic 752
Backward passes
Motherwell 31 Celtic 129
Forward passes
Motherwell 87 Celtic 218
Total long balls
Motherwell 51 Celtic 47
Successful final third passes
Motherwell 25 Celtic 227
Total crosses
Motherwell 9 Celtic 28
Touches
Motherwell 365 Celtic 1015
Touches in the box
Motherwell 7 Celtic 41
Dispossessed
Motherwell 8 Celtic 11
Goalkeeper saves
Motherwell 6 Celtic 0
Diving saves
Motherwell 3 Celtic 0
Saved shots from inside the box
Motherwell 4 Celtic 0
Saved shots from outside the box
Motherwell 2 Celtic 0
Keeper throws
Motherwell 2 Celtic 3
Goal kicks
Motherwell 10 Celtic 7
Pre match facts
Motherwell are winless in 33 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D5 L28) since a 2-1 league victory in December 2015.
Celtic remain unbeaten in their last 19 visits to Motherwell in all competitions (W15 D4), winning each of their last 10 in a row by an aggregate score of 33-6.
Motherwell are unbeaten in their last four home league games (W2 D2), their longest such run within a single season since January 2022 (5 in a row).
After a run of 10 successive away league wins from April to December 2024, Celtic have since won just one of their last four on the road (D2 L1). They have conceded seven goals in their last three away league outings, more than their previous 13 beforehand (6).
After Stuart Kettlewell’s departure, Stephen Frail will take charge of Motherwell in this match. Frail last led a side in the Scottish top-flight in 2007-08 in caretaker charge of Hearts (P18 W8 D4 L6 in the league), a spell which included a 3-0 defeat to Gordon Strachan’s Celtic in February that term.
Articles
Jota puts seal on winning performance by Celts
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/february/02/jota-puts-seal-on-winning-performance-by-celts/
Match Report
By Matthew Campbell
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02 Feb 2025, 5:57 pm
Scottish Premiership
Sunday, February 2, 2025
Fir Park, Motherwell
MOTHERWELL…1
(Armstrong 23)
CELTIC…3
(Maeda 1, Idah 30, Jota 94)
After their Champions League exploits in the midweek, the champions returned to domestic action with a 3-1 victory over Motherwell at Fir Park thanks to goals from Daizen Meada and Adam Idah.
The Celts got off to the perfect start when, with less than a minute played, Daizen Maeda found the back of the net.
After some lovely passing play outside the box on the left-hand side, the ball found its way to Anthony Ralston on the right wing. The right back whipped a cross towards the back post, where Daizen was waiting to head it back across goal and away from the Motherwell keeper to make it 1-0.
For the next 20 minutes or so, Brendan Rodgers’ men were comfortable in the game and continued to move the ball well, particularly on the left-hand side where Taylor, McCowan, Hatate, and Maeda were linking up brilliantly.
Then, in the 23rd minute of the match, the home side drew themselves level. A ball in to the box from Dom Thompson deflected off of Auston Trusty and straight in to the path of Luke Armstrong, who smashed his effort beyond Kasper Schmeichel to make it 1-1.
There appeared to be a shove on Carter-Vickers from Armstrong in the immediate lead-up to the goal, however the goal was given, and the game was level.
Motherwell’s equaliser seemed to spark the champions back in to life, and with 30 minutes on the clock, the Hoops had the lead again.
And once again, the goal came from some brilliant link-up play on the left wing between Reo Hatate, Luke McCowan and Daizen Maeda, with the latter firing the ball across the face of goal towards Adam Idah, who knocked it in to the back of the net from close range.
Just over five minutes later, the Celts almost took a two-goal lead when Luke McCowan whipped a cross in from a corner kick which evaded the entire Motherwell defence and found Daizen Maeda unmarked at the back post, but the Japanese forward’s header crept just wide of the target.
The same Celtic duo linked up again just after the 40-minute mark when McCowan clipped a clever ball over the home side’s defence and in to Daizen’s path, but his effort from just outside the six-yard box sailed over the bar.
19%
Possession
81%
2
Shots
18
1
Shots On Target
9
3
Corners
10
5
Fouls
8
0
0
Cards
0
0
With less than five minutes of the second half gone, the champions looked to have taken a 3-1 lead when Reo Hatate sent a sensational ball forward which found Adam Idah.
The Irishman attempted to flash the ball across the face of goal, but it was turned in to the net by a Motherwell defender. VAR came to the home side’s rescue, however, judging that Idah had been offside in the build-up, and the goal was ruled out.
Celtic had the ball in the net again on the hour mark, this time through Nicolas Kuhn who produced an acrobatic overhead kick to find the target, but once again the goal was ruled out for offside, denying the German winger a goal of the season contender.
The Hoops were in full control of the game in the second half and with 65 minutes gone, Adam Idah rattled the post with an effort from the edge of the box which had the Motherwell keeper completely beaten.
Just after Idah’s attempt, Brendan made two subs, bringing Luke McCowan and Nicolas Kuhn off and replacing them with Arne Engels and Jota, with the latter receiving a warm welcome back from the Celtic faithful.
Celtic continued to press forward in search of a third goal which would secure the three points, and whilst the work in the forward areas was excellent all afternoon, credit also has to go to the Hoops’ back line for the work that they put in to nullify any threats from the Motherwell attack.
With three minutes left to play, Jota picked up the ball on the left wing and drove towards the edge of the box. He managed to find space for a shot at goal but, on this occasion, the Motherwell keeper was equal to it and he was able to keep it from going in.
However, there was no stopping the Portuguese winger’s effort in the 94th minute which sealed a 3-1 victory for the Bhoys.
A sensational ball forward from Engels found Maeda, whose cutback across goal reached Jota, and the Portuguese needed no invitation as he slammed the ball home from close range.
Next up for the Celts is a home match against Dundee at Paradise on Wednesday night where the Hoops will look to grab another three points.
Motherwell: Balcombe, Kaleta (Paton 38′), O’Donnell, Gordon, Blaney, Thompson (Zdravkovski 76′), Sparrow, Halliday (Dickson 76′), Nicholson (Wilson 63′), Armstrong, Maswanhise (Plange 63′)
Subs: Balmer, Zdravkovski, Paton, Wilson, Connelly, Watt, Andrews, Plange, Dickson
Celtic: Schmeichel, Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor (Scales 84′), McCowan (Engels 65′), McGregor, Hatate (Paulo Bernardo 84′), Kühn (Jota 65′), Idah (Hyunjun Yang 79′), Maeda
Subs: Johnston, Scales, Jota, Sinisalo, Hyunjun Yang, Nawrocki, Kenny, Engels, Paulo Bernardo
Jota: It was amazing to share this special moment with the Celtic fans
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/february/02/jota–it-was-amazing-to-share-this-special-moment-with-the-celtic-fans/
First Team
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor
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02 Feb 2025, 6:37 pm
It was a fairytale start to a dream return to Celtic for Jota as he scored on his first game back for the club, setting the seal on a 3-1 win against Motherwell.
Brendan Rodgers’ side dominated the game at Fir Park, with Daizen Maeda giving the Hoops the lead inside the first minute of the match.
Adam Idah restored Celtic’s lead after Luke Armstrong equalised, and in the second-half Celtic had two goals disallowed for offside as they dominated proceedings.
And they sealed another three points when Jota scored in the last minute of added time.
The 25-year-old returned to Paradise earlier this week, joining on a five-and-a-half-year deal from French side, Rennes.
And having scored 28 goals in 83 appearances for Celtic in his previous spell with the club, the Portuguese winger got off the mark straight away.
Clearly delighted and emotional at having scored, Jota spoke to Celtic TV after the game.
“It’s such an amazing moment for me and I couldn’t have written it better,” he said.
“In the end, it’s just a matter of believing and from when I came on I always believed that a ball would be given to me and that happened in the end.
“It was just a very personal moment and I wanted to share that with the Celtic fans, and it was just like remembering the old times.
‘We had an amazing journey and, coming back, I just want to continue that and this was for them.’
“I think I’ll still need time to get back fit to the best that I can. It will take time, obviously, but I’m here to work hard every day in order to achieve that.
“Today was a really good start but football always keeps going and tomorrow is another day, and I need to be focused again.
“It’s better to just think day by day and enjoy that for as long as we can.
“We know that important things will come in the future but it’s just about living life to the fullest today and enjoy this moment with the Celtic fans and my family, and tomorrow we go again at Lennoxtown.”
Manager delighted with Fir Park outcome
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/february/02/manager-delighted-with-fir-park-outcome/
First Team
By Joe Sullivan
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02 Feb 2025, 6:39 pm
Less than half-an-hour into his second Celtic debut, Jota put the seal on another three points for the Celts.
All the groundwork had been done earlier on with two extremely well-worked goals by Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah that paved the way for the important 3-1 away win over Motherwell.
Manager, Brendan Rodgers was pleased with the performance that always threatened to score more goals, and, had it not been for a couple that were chalked off, the result could have comprehensively matched the display.
The Irishman said: “I thought the performance was very good.
“We started fast in the game, scored a really, really good goal, playing forward, running forward, so then Daizen comes in at the back post.
“So that got us in a good place in the game. We just had a couple of moments in the first half when we were a fraction deep whenever the ball broke down instead of being able to counter-press, and we were able to organise that at half-time.
‘We scored two really good goals, Adam’s goal was so well-worked, and in the second half we controlled the game.’
“I liked how we controlled it at 2-1, because sometimes at 2-1 it only takes a long throw or a corner, but we controlled all those moments really well, and then we get a deserving third goal right at the very end.
“So really pleased with everything that gave to the game.
“On a difficult surface, the guys played on it really well because it was quite bobbly really. But overall in the second half we were dynamic, we were fluid in some of our moments in the game, and unfortunate not to have got the third goal earlier.”
That third goal did come in time added on when Jota capped his return in fine style to put the icing on another very sweet move.
The manager said: “He can bring a lot once he’s fit. I’ve certainly seen, having watched him before in the levels he was at, he’s a Celtic winger, he can beat the defender, he can take people on, he can run in behind, and he’s very, very effective and efficient when he has the ball.
“He’s had a challenging 18 months, so he’s not at the physical level that we would want him to be at – it’s just step by step bringing him into the game today.
“He’ll build on that fitness, but you can see his undoubted quality and that was really pleasing.”
That half-hour or so was Jota’s first appearance under Brendan Rodgers, however, no fewer than 229 of Callum McGregor’s 500 games have been played under the Irishman.
The manager said of his captain’s achievement in reaching the 500 milestone: “He’s the perfect role model for any young player, and obviously for the senior players here as well.
“I’ve managed him in a lot of the games that he has played, and clearly very proud to have played a little part in his career, but everything that’ he’s done has been down to his professionalism, his mentality.
“He’s just a class act on and of the pitch, and to achieve 500 games for Celtic is an incredible accolade and he has the full respect of everyone on and off the pitch here at Celtic.”
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cpdx2ny40det#Report
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Fir Park
Jota scored on his Celtic return as the Scottish Premiership leaders recorded their 20th win of the campaign against Motherwell.
Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah looked to have made the difference at Fir Park, as Celtic passed up a number of chances to finish the contest.
But Jota sealed victory in his first game since signing from Rennes and retained the champions’ 10-point lead at the top having played a game fewer than Rangers.
Motherwell were looking to put a week of turmoil behind them after manager Stuart Kettlewell had his resignation “reluctantly accepted” by the club.
And their start could hardly have been worse.
All the latest Celtic news & views
Everything you need to know about Motherwell
Within 49 seconds, they were behind having not touched the ball as Anthony Ralston crossed perfectly for Maeda to plant a header across Ellery Balcombe.
Motherwell steadied the ship, though, and found a route back to level.
Luke Armstrong, making his first start after joining on loan from Carlisle, finished well after Auston Trusty could only clear straight into the striker’s path.
But Celtic struck back within six minutes with some slick play down the left key. Luke McCowan released Maeda and Idah slid in to firmly put his barren spell behind him with his 11th of the season and third goal in two games.
Maeda ought to have added a third on a couple of occasions, and Idah thought he had forced an own goal from Tom Sparrow after great work down the right, but VAR intervened to rule out the effort for offside.
Nicolas Kuhn was also denied by a flag after a spectacular overhead kick finish and Balcombe thwarted Idah, but Jota signed off his second debut with a late third from close range before wheeling off in gleeful celebrations.
Celtic keep ticking towards another title
With the points cushion they have, Celtic just have to keep ticking off the wins and captain Callum McGregor – who made his 500th appearance on Sunday – will surely be lifting his 10th Premiership trophy in May.
They started in the mood and were rewarded immediately. At that stage it seemed three points were a formality but chances repeatedly came and went.
The resurgence of Idah is timely indeed. His role in the late winner over Young Boys seemed to relieve a bit of pressure after a barren run.
His double, and general play, against Aston Villa in midweek were impressive and he was again here. He’s starting to look the player that made such a difference on loan after arriving a year ago.
That moment from Jota will live long in the memory of those away fans. He just seems to thrive at Celtic.
The big question over the next day or so is will they manage to strengthen even further, with a striker and left back still likely on the radar given recent departures.
They host Dundee at home on Wednesday, then Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup, before that tantalising tie against Bayern Munich.
Motherwell scramble after turbulent week
The shock departure of their manager was far from ideal preparation but to lose a goal so fast, in the manner they did, was a real blow for Motherwell.
To their credit, they steadied for a spell and fought back to level. Armstrong worked tirelessly up top and his goal will be a big boost so early into his spell at Fir Park.
They did well to hang in and got away with any number of big moments. You need that kind of luck in games like this but it didn’t materialise into anything tangible. Celtic seemed capable of striking at any moment.
Motherwell won’t play again until 15 February when Ross County visit. That break will likely help them regroup and potentially sort out who will take charge.
Forget Jota’s Celtic emotional cameo – their stats-laden Kyogo Furuhashi replacement comes from elsewhere
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/forget-jotas-celtic-emotional-cameo-their-kyogo-furuhashi-talisman-replacement-comes-from-elsewhere-4971257
Mark Atkinson
By Mark Atkinson
Sports Editor
Comments
Published 2nd Feb 2025, 17:11 GMT
Updated 2nd Feb 2025, 17:47 GMT
Maeda continues to be cut above as Celtic take down Motherwell
Just as Celtic were finishing off another Premiership victory at Motherwell, some 539 miles away, their former talisman Kyogo Furuhashi was making his Rennes debut at home to Strasbourg.
Furuhashi’s departure for French football has left a void that requires filling at Celtic. Their search for new striker will no doubt continue going into the last day of the window. So far, Kelechi Iheanacho, David Strelec and Mathias Kvistgaarden have been the names linked to Celtic – but those deals have not materialised. Not yet, anyway.
Celtic could probably do with another No 9 by 11pm on Monday, but if the window slams shut without a deal being struck, then at least Adam Idah and – in particular – Daizen Maeda have put their hand up as the heir to Kyogo’s throne.
Daizen Maeda continues to make net gains for Celtic.
Daizen Maeda continues to make net gains for Celtic. | SNS Group
Idah started as the main striker in this 3-1 Premiership win over the Steelmen and netted a crucial goal on the half-hour mark to restore Celtic’s superiority. He led the line with strength and looks free of the 14-game barren streak that was ended emphatically by scoring twice during the week against Aston Villa.
But Celtic’s main man right now is Maeda. Potentially he has been their shining star all season, a jet-heeled dynamo that terrorises defenders. The Japanese’s numbers for the campaign are frighteningly impressive. He scored the opener and set up the winner to take his tallies for the term to 16 goals and eight assists. Not bad at all given February has just begun.
The 27-year-old is in the form of his life right now and Celtic need that to continue, especially if manager Brendan Rodgers doesn’t get another forward. Jota made his second debut off the bench and will no doubt produce from out wide, just as he did when he iced the Celtic cake with virtually the last kick of the game with a tap-in, but the bonus that Maeda carries is that he can play through the middle or as a winger.
He and compatriot Reo Hatate were Celtic’s best players on a day when they dominated managerless Motherwell without turning their superiority into goals. They completely ruled the second half but were denied by a combination of good goalkeeping from Ellery Balcombe and the offside flag on two occasions. Hatate was a constant source of movement and creativity, running the midfield. Captain Callum McGregor, playing his 500th game alongside him, had a quiet game by his standards. The truth is that Celtic really didn’t need to motor through the gears.
This was Motherwell’s first match since Stuart Kettlewell’s resignation earlier in the week. The arrivals of Luke Plange and Will Dickson on Saturday took this season’s recruitment tally to more than 20. This is a club in a bit of flux but to their credit, they recovered well from the concession of an early goal and their rumbustious new striker in Carlisle loanee Luke Armstrong ruffled up Celtic’s backline. They end the weekend down to sixth and in jeopardy of facing a scrap towards the bottom of the table if they do not reverse fortunes. The Fir Park board have two weeks before the team’s next match to find a new head coach.
Adam Idah netted for Celtic in the first half.
Adam Idah netted for Celtic in the first half. | SNS Group
Given the week they’ve endured, Motherwell did not want to concede early. So for Celtic to net within 50 seconds – the quickest goal in the Premiership this season – was hardly ideal. Tony Ralston’s cross into Maeda from the right was bang on the money and the Japanese steered his header back across Balcombe for the opener.
While Celtic dominated thereafter, Motherwell’s response was admirable. Their leveller came on 23 minutes, albeit in controversial circumstances. Dom Thompson’s cross was misjudged by Cameron Carter-Vickers under the attentions of Armstrong, the ball bounced off a prone Auston Trusty into the path of the Motherwell striker and he coolly netted. Celtic claimed Carter-Vickers had been pushed but referee Calum Scott disagreed and VAR John Beaton did not intervene.
In mechanical fashion, Celtic set about restoring their lead. On the half-hour mark, Hatate fed Luke McCowan with an excellent pass, the midfielder freed Maeda in the box and his cutback was easily finished by Idah.
Maeda was denied by an excellent save from close range by Balcombe on 43 minutes to ensure the deficit remained at one goal going into the break.
That situation was nearly rectified on 48 minutes. Idah burrowed down the right side of the box and fizzed a ball across goal that the unfortunate Tom Sparrow turned into his own net. Had he not done, Maeda behind him would have tapped home, but his blushes were spared by a VAR call in the build-up.
Jota celebrate his goal on his Celtic return.
Jota celebrate his goal on his Celtic return. | SNS Group
The flag spared Motherwell again on the hour-mark when Nicolas Kuhn’s pretty impressive bicycle kick after Balcombe had saved his initial effort was chalked off. Celtic wanted a third to properly settle the outcome. Idah cracked the post from distance as Motherwell’s resistance creaked.
Then, on 65 minutes, Jota appeared, the Portuguese welcomed to wild acclaim from the Celtic fans behind the goal. Balcombe saved from close range from Idah and then Carter-Vickers powered a header over from close range. Motherwell continued to cling on.
Jota pushed them over the edge deep into stoppage time. Maeda, again, was involved, squaring for the Portuguese to tap home. Fist aloft in the corner in front of his adoring faithful and then in tears as he took acclaim at full time, it’s a celebration we’re surely likely to see again and again. The question now is whether more goal-getters will come in to supplement Celtic’s forward line.