CELTIC 2 MOTHERWELL 1
CELTIC had to rely on a Reo Hatate howitzer to seal the points against Motherwell at Parkhead this afternoon.
The champions made it difficult for themselves against a stubborn Fir Park outfit in an encounter where they dominated possession.
Callum McGregor saw red in the fading moments after bringing down Ross Tierney. Referee John Beaton couldn’t wait to flash the card.
The Hoops held on, but they should never have allowed themselves to be put in such a precarious position.
JOY BHOY…Reo Hatate celebrates a Celtic goal.
Jota passed up an ideal opportunity to open the scoring inside three minutes after being set up by Diazen Maeda.
The Japanese international raced clear on the right to whip in an inviting cross, but the Portuguese ace didn’t make a clean connection and his first-time effort was comfortably saved by Liam Kelly.
The Hoops got their reward for incessant attacking play in the 15th minute when Kyogo Furuhashi claimed the breakthrough goal.
Callum McGregor released Jota on the left and his perfect cross was headed towards the net by Matt O’Riley. Keeper Kelly managed to block the effort, but ace chance-taker Kyogo followed up to smash the ball into the net from practically under the bar.
Six minutes later, the Celtic skipper waywardly fired over the bar from close range after a neat pass from Jota. At the very least, he should have hit the target.
Josip Juranovic was out of luck in the 35th minute when he crashed a 25-yard free-kick off the crossbar and only moments later the Croatian international threw the visitors a surprising lifeline with a bizarre own goal.
The right-back knocked a hopeful cross past a stranded Joe Hart to silence the Parkhead crowd. It was a complete lack of concentration from Juranovic and it cost Celtic dearly.
He tried to make amends a couple of minute later when he raced into the box, but fired wastefully over the bar,
Motherwell survived again just before the interval when Hatate hit the post with Kelly floundering.
Kyogo was flattened after a late challenge from Sean Goss, but match official Beaton waved away claims for a penalty. No-one was unduly surprised by his decision.
A goal just had to come and it arrived in the 64th minute following a quick corner-kick from Jota. Hatate received the ball outside the box, took a couple of touches, sized up the situation and then unleashed a superb drive beyond the stretching Kelly.
David Turnbull and Liel Abda were introduced to the action as Maeda and O’Riley were withdrawn in the 65th minute.
Sead Haksabonovic came on for Kyogo in the 80th minute as Celtic recharged their batteries up front.
In the fading moments, Oliver Abildgaard and Aaron Mooy replaced Hatate and Jota.
Three big points, but there should not have been the drama involved in remaining at the Premiership pinnacle.
TEAM: Hart; Juranovic, Jenz, Welsh, Taylor; O’Riley (sub: Turnbull 65), McGregor, Hatate (Sub: Abildgaard 90); Maeda (sub: Abada 65), Kyogo (sub: Haksabanovic 80), Jota (sub: Mooy 90).
