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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BelfastCityCelt says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:47
Actually I the Certs to say I am or at least have been out of my mind. Are you really that angry ?
We have left ourselves a mountain to climb in the league , of that no doubt.
Though sometimes I think to myself that even if we don’t win it I still want Neil Lennon as our manager.
As long as we have performances like that we will get better and win most games. He will get better in his management ability.
Do we really want to change things at a time when they are going to implode and create uncertainty for ourselves .
Or do we show some metal , stand by Lenny , back him to the hilt regardless of a 2nd place this year in the knowledge he has had another year under his belt and
THE EXILED TIM says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:52
We’ve got a fortnight off,relax till then.
Take care mi amigo,
Colin Calderwood sacked.
Is building a settled team who know what is required.
That has been one of their big strengths , however they are going to a dark place
5th generation says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:53
Come the end of the season we will be top of the league.
VP
I had factored that in to my forseable :>)
My name is Wilson, named after the tatty auld american leather football that lies in my cupboard and reminds me of happy days of being a teenager.
And this i swear: without a doubt we have the talent,,,,what we need is dig.and if we put the two thegither the league is ours. No matter what the refs or the media do.
Believe me, this team of ours IS good enough to win it.
There’s plenty of games left, plenty of games.
Spartx 15.37
yer ..se !!
Dick Byrne says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:49
The answer to your questions
1. Ref has an anti Celtic agenda.
2. Refs would not allow same tackles against another ‘big” team.
You have summed up the learnt and accepted behaviour of Scottish footballers. Kick Celtic ok. Kick Huns off.
How on earth Fulham havent drawn level, crazy
MadraRua says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:53
Angry?
That is an understatement.
Furious i am.
:)
I think that Lasley is the studio guest on Sportscene tonight. Cue an in depth look at Motherwell tackling? :-)
the_huddle says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:48
Off Topic – Fulham have been battering Spurs for 35 mins now, deserve an equalizer
Commentators nightmare. spurs score but did you see that penalty call?
Big game on Friday
Hibs sack Calderwood.
Spurs defender handled while on the deck, 50/50 I reckon but then the defender clips the heels of the striker, pen for me. I rate Spurs to finish a sneaky 2nd this season but Fulham were all over them.
BelfastCityCelt says:
6 November, 2011 at 18:00
Good Man :D
FAI Cup Final Shels 1 Sligo R 1 AET
going to penalties.
Awe Naw
rhetorical question, fair point.
Sandman@ 14.10 on last thread
That is one of the best posts I’ve ever read,you pal are definately always worth a read,hail hail.
Gordon64 says:
6 November, 2011 at 18:04
One of the few managers in Scottish football that spoke out in Lenny’s defense last season,Kenny Shiels and Craig Brown the other two notable exceptions.
I wish him good luck.
Mags
Awe_Naw has now driven past the obvious stop-off points
and accelerates pedal pushed a back seat pedal imperalled look
of fear.
This Journey is one way…and it ain’t for the hun hearted.
HH
wilson says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:58
Hows the injuries to your two brothers coming along.
Sligo R score their first
Shels score their first
2 – 1 Sligo
2 -1Shels miss
Just in from Filth Park great result despite being up against shocking home tactics and a referee who showed today that Celtic have a long way to go to get the SFA to apply the rules. He was shocking from start to finish so credit to Celtic
It’s not over, not by a long way
Hail Hail
Stephen with a “PH”
Did the wee burd on Stv news say Gary Cooper scored the winner for Celts?
Do not forsake me oh ma darlin.
3 – 1 Sligo
3 – 1 Shels miss
warszawabhoy says:
6 November, 2011 at 17:43
I was being ironic about the referee being the enforcer, although he should be.
There was more leeway for the physical stuff, back in the day.
Tommy Gemmell told the story about the day that Greig, or whoever, put Jinky up in the air a couple of times.
He turned to his direct opponent, Willie Henderson, and said to him, “It’s going to be a tough day for you today, wee man”.
I was at Ibrox the day Bertie “did Provan, after he tackled Jimmy.
The point is, the type of tackle where you could put in a nasty one have been banned from the game.
Which is all the more reason why unpunished tackles, like today, is intolerable
4 – 1 Sligo Rovers win on penalties.
VP
It was a High Noon KO.
Lasley is on Sportscene tonight??
Is it just me or is it more times than not that someone from our opponents is on Sportscene after we play them,which inevitably leads to lopsided comments which are not in our favour???????????
Hail hail
Or am i just paranoid??????????????
:D
Hail hail
Good win today Celtic well done.
We really had to battle to win that game especially as motherwell were allowed ASSAULT Celtic players all day and get away with it for the majority of the game.
Finally the ‘ref’ saw a blatant kick by clancy into the back of hooper and quite rightly flashed the red card.
How he saw that as any different to the numerous ASSAULTS on forrest, kayal and commons, only he will know.
Well done to the ‘Derry Pele’ perfect timing to come on and show some magic to set up the winner and that after he was hacked down with his very first touch of the ball.
Keep it going Bhoys and well done Lenny
Someone mentioned, a few days ago, the podcast from 5 live about pressure in sport, presented by Michael Vaughn and featuring Gordon Strachan, Chris waddle etc
Heres the linky thing ( I hope!)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/5lspecials