Paddy McCourt was the difference between the teams today as Celtic came from behind for the second time in three days to beat Motherwell at Celtic Park, securing second spot in the league. Craig Higdon opened the scoring for Motherwell after 11 minutes with a header from a corner kick but Anthony Stokes levelled, also from a corner, two minutes later. Substitute Gary Hooper scored the winner late on.
Despite a sprightly first minute Celtic were on the back foot for most of the opening period and it was no surprise Motherwell opened the scoring. Nor was the manner in which they lost the goal a surprise. Tom Hately crossed from a short corner which Celtic slept at, failing to mark-up. The defence also pushed out in instalments, leaving Craig Higdon free six yards from goal to head home.
Celtic immediately pushed forward and Georgios Samaras flicked a Kris Commons header onto Stokes at the back post, who volleyed into the net.
A Commons free kick was blocked by Samaras, whose shot was saved. Thomas Rogne headed a Commons’ corner on target but the ball was blocked on the line. On the half hour mark Higdon drew a good save from Fraser Forster.
Four minutes into the second half Stokes should have given Celtic the lead when he latched onto a long ball from Daniel Majstorovic which evaded the defence but Darren Randolph closed the space. On 54 minutes the lively Stokes cut-back for Commons who took one touch too many and was robbed. Fraser Forster was called into action again soon thereafter when he blocked a Nicky Law effort.
Paddy McCourt replaced Samaras with 15 minutes to go and transformed the game. On 79 minutes he collected the ball inside his own half, drifted through a nervous looking Motherwell midfield until he reached the edge of the D before feeding Stokes on the left. Stokes made space before rifling the ball into the six yard box for Gary Hooper to score the winner.
Tim Clancy was shown a straight red card late on for kicking Gary Hooper. If referee Charlie Richmond had taken an earlier opportunity to control Lasley or Jennings, Gary Hooper, James Forrest and Beram Kayal would perhaps have finished the game with fewer injuries.
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Some Govanites lay claim to Alex Ferguson’s success by association.
Just like Murray claiming Gattuso’s successes for his own.
And erm… Charlie Adam being so popular yet having left Rangers years ago.
And Kenny Miller when he plays for Scotland now.
Theme occurring?
U
googybhoy says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:19
I have only seen a few snippets of the game. Why was Lasley not sent off.
– – – – – – – –
Who knows bud?
Hats off if you have the truth on that one.
Celtic Mac says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:21
These idiots ,should not be following Celtic,so stupid they are brainwashed by the papers
As everyone else has said, thr ref was a disgrace. Do you know how many SPL games Richmond officiated last season?
ZERO! I wonder why…
Kayal and Wanyama were superb in the middle, hard to believe Wanyama is only 19.
Anyone know what the average age of the team is excluding Dannys involvement. HH
Estadio says:
6 November, 2011 at 16:44
i am with you, big man
guy beside me was so negative
i felt sorry for the lad
a beautiful day, a big match and a young team in need of support
felt like sayin, get behind them, ya dafty
we won in the end but what is wrong with these folk ?
contrast that with the guy on the other side of me
there with his crackin wee kid, full of the joys
an honour to watch the game with
:)
As much as I like Paddy. I dont feel one very good run should give him higher praise than Big Dan, Rogne Matthews Kayal or Stokesy today who were immense today. Dont get me wrong he was the right player to come on at the right time. But singeing him out before the other players I feel is very unfair
warszawabhoy says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:22
You’re right. The game has changed. You don’t get away with “sorting” out opponents.
However, there is an Enforcer on the field. He’s called the referee and it’s his job to enforce the rules.
Any attempt from a Celtic player to administer justice, would have only one result…I think you know what it is.
Awe Naw
are you back or back back?
warszawabhoy says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:22
the glorious balance sheet says:
There were a few enforcers in that team. Bertie being the sneakiest.
ASonOfDan says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:27
Don’t know the average age of today’s team, but last week v Hibs, it was 22.6 years.
Goals for the Bhoys oversea’s.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/7661945/stokes1_1/
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/7662358/hooooooooper/
voguepunter says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:21
John Stein will always be my greatest ever sporting hero/idol/icon.
Don’t get me wrong – a lot of those magnificent teams of his were before my time,but even just watching old interviews,listening to him speak – The man was a genius,so intelligent,yet so humble.
LEGEND.
Big Packie’s Accent says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:25
I think we all know the truth of the matter.
warzawabhoy,
The main mhan protecting Jinky, imo, was wee Bertie. He knew how to exact revenge quietly but very effectively. Maybe Zenden will have the nous to provide that, besides his experience.
25may1967
I’m as much a supporter of Rogne, Dan etc. as I am of McCourt. What Paddy’s proponents are asking for is fair, not special, treatment for Paddy.
If a player comes on as a sub and performs brilliantly, there are inevitable calls to have him start. With Paddy, it’s yet further proof he is an ‘impact player’ and should be on the bench.
Whereas if he comes on as a sub and doesn’t do well, that also provides yet more evidence for those who claim he shouldn’t start, this time by virtue of his poor play.
James VI would applaud such logic.
As Jock used to say
remember we’re playing against 12 men.
Nothing has changed.
That’s what makes our victories all the sweeter.
TopCorner says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:27
Gordon Strachan was asked in an interview about the negative reactions from the stands.
He said it was, fear.
I understood what he meant.
It is/was the fear of the team not winning and bracing themselves for a poor result. Getting their retaliation in first, so to speak.
The opposite of that negativity is being positive and getting involved with the team’s efforts to win a game.
It is sometimes difficult to remain positive, when things are not going well on the park, but to deride or abuse the team or individuals is downright destructive and is inexcusable.
Totally scunnered with it all, the wife said to me on more than one ocassion that she was going to turn the computer off cos she thought I would have a stroke.
It’s no a pleasure any more, we will never get our level playing field.
Do something about it Celtic.
Snake Plissken says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:13
What, Bill “No Catholics” Struth doesn’t make the list?!
From the FirParkCorner.com
“Lasley had collected a harsh booking in the first half and Jennings joined him in the second. We’ll soon be paying a price for those yellows. Worse was to come as Clancy received a straight red for an unnecessary foot thrown in the direction of Hooper. By that time we were chasing the game.”
How can blatantly kicking an opponent be construed as throwing a foot in the direction of Hooper ????
Anyway, a good win in exceptionally tough circumstances.
I can honestly say that there is no football league anywhere in the western world where the disgraceful tackles that Motherwell made, would have been allowed. I have never seen as bad even in the local junior leagues !
As for our own performances, I think young Mathews again stands out as a star in the making.
James Forest was literally kicked out of the game, shame on Richardson and McCall.
How is the game in Scotland supposed to progress when hatchet men are encouraged to kick skillful footballers South over the border to ply their trade?
Kayal and Wanyama played well, although the latter’s passing skills need improving.
I have two major gripes however and they don’t just relate to today’s game.
1. I believe that Lennon’s system of playing two out and out attacking midfielders is costing us games.
Yes, Forrest and Commons track back, but it is nowhere near as effective as having three genuine midfielders, with a fourth being an attack
minded player. Or, play five across the middle with a target man up front, allowing speed merchants on the flanks attack in waves.
As it stands, mediocre teams are getting the better of us in the centre because we only play two regular midfielders.
2. We MUST stop this nonsensical “zonal marking”. It cost us against Renne and it cost us today. Because no one was picking up a designated player, when the ball was played in after the corner,all our defenders were at sea for the goal.
In normal circumstances, you stick with the player you picked up for the corner until the danger is cleared.
Our “zonal marking” is a sick joke.
Indeed I am seriously considering starting a petition on CQN to DEMAND that Neil stops this craziness immediately.
BelfastCityCelt says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:34
Same here,how that mob across the city try to sully
the big man’s reputation ,tells you they are beyond saving.
Jock Stein ,genius and a gentlemen.
googybhoy says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:34
With much frustration, some of us still don’t ?
googybhoy says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:19
I have only seen a few snippets of the game. Why was Lasley not sent off.
==================
same reason as bougherra didnt
tomthetim It was the same, in theory at least, even then but as googybhoy says it could be done and Bertie was a master.
Those who know me will tell you I’m the last to advocate retribution for its own sake but if the referees don’t do their jobs we need to find our own resolution without attracting the attendant penalty.
THE EXILED TIM says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:38
Enjoy,stress is the only exercise a Scotsman’s heart gets.
Oh dear, BBC have just ‘outed’ Paul McBride as a ‘Celtic supporter’ in a story about politics.
The author obviously though the football team he supported was relevant to his exclusive -or why mention it ?
Maybe ‘Celtic supporter’ is an adjective for something.
Main news in scotland apparently.
MadraRua says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:40
That team today picked itself.
The squad is decimated,due to injuries.
There was nobody else.
Get it?
Did you want Neil to drop three and start the game with three under 19 players?
Are you out of your mind?
Many thanks HenryClarkson
When Motherwell played the huns at home back in August foul count was 8
Today aginst Celtic foul count was 20 ( highest this season for motherwell )
Nuff said about McCall and richmond
Off Topic – Fulham have been battering Spurs for 35 mins now, deserve an equalizer
Mags,
Back but still on holiday. Having been busy analysing the crime scenes.
HH
There’s nothing new in a “wee” team getting stuck in to a “big” team – in fact we’ve done it ourselves in Europe at times. It’s up to the referee to make sure that the challenges are kept within the laws of the game & if not, that the appropriate punishment is dished out.
You could maybe even make an arguement for saying that Motherwell were quite right to keep hacking & kicking when they realised that Richmond was going to let them get away with it.
The two key questions for me are;
1. Why was the referee so lenient?
2. Why don’t Motherwell taken a similar approach against other “big” teams?
As performances are well below results in the list of our priorities at the present time then our victory today is the only thing that matters.Add in the fact it was achieved whist being subjected to a good old hacking from the Ginja’s warriors and it is not only important but also very satisfying.
Richmond was an inept disgrace.I thought him and McCall’s mob showed exactly why the game here is in such a sorry state.
So,we should enjoy our win and move on to the next one.One at a time,steady improvement in performance and they WILL drop points,it’s far from over.
As for the best manager thingy,where’s the legned?
FOREVERANDEVER!!!
Thisistheone
Does PmcB even know his own political persuasion ?
HH
BABASONICOS71 says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:49
Precisely.
stevieo62 says:
6 November, 2011 at 16:55
sandyman and philbhoy do ract very strangly to criticism
are the y just closet hunsmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?
======================
Criticism?
You didn’t criticize me.
You criticized my club in a facile attempt to stir animosity amongst our support.
Now, you run along and kiss your master’s pinny you little Hun fruitcake, and let the big people talk.
vp
Tis stress that I can do without mi amigo
The one thing that got me more than anything today was craigens elbow to Sammi’s ribs, not even a foul, it was a straight red.
Too much for the old blood pressure, I will be giving football a wide berth for the forseable.
Paul67 et al
Having so many injured players kind of forced Neil Lennon’s hand of late, but in the last couple of games at least, the players look like they really want to play for each other and for the Manager. Terrific effort from everybody. And I include the shift Pat McCourt put in on Thursday, certainly after the first half hour. I have said before that our performances in Europe have been encouraging, especially the Rennes away game, well todays efforts were encouraging in terms of the SPL. Anybody still out there who still thinks the match on Thursday was not an important game?