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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How many Celtic players on international duty?
How many animals?
Stringer
was wondering what Craigan was moaning about
If Scottish football is in a bad state , how bad is the punditry and journalistic integrity
The 3 on sportscene tonight , pathetic, and it will be us the licience payer who will be picking up the double time on a Sunday for their carers.
….PFayr says:
6 November, 2011 at 22:10
Paddy
you Glasgow at the weekend?
Yes mate, overnight boat this Wednesday and up in the city Thursday night, leaving Thursday 17th.
I didn’t see todays game but from the descriptions these games are exactly why I said the other day that we should sign Ian Black.
There is nothing more obvious than Motherwells thuggery. They tried it in the cup final as well. We can’t afford a sending off in these games just now but I would advocate standing up for ourselves. A retaliate first tackle is well in order against the likes of Lasley.
Henrik knew how to protect himself. Just ask Gus MacPherson. Henrik deliberately ran over McPhersons outstretched leg after he repeatedly kicked him up in the air. I remember the indignation of Jeffries as if Henrik shouldnt have done it. McPherson didn’t come near him ever again and other defenders became more wary of retaliation.
And we should have had a penalty, the defender clearly took Commons out
Back to Basics – Glass Half Full says
Well done. Unarguable proof of bias! Send this info to the club.
HH
Craigen to embarrassed to appear after the Paddy tackle??
Not 1 brutal assault shown in first half
Check out ‘Sportscene’ tonight 10pm for a really impressive Motherwell performance v Celtic today – even in defeat. A fine game.
graham spiers
S P
None. Forrest in 21s
Thems? Dont care!!
El Diego
dont let the bed bugs etc
Some great quotes from The Human Torpedo on Twitter today-know some have already been qouted.
1.Charlie Richmond does realise the SPL referee strike was LAST November.
2.Motherwell’s First Half Stats: – Attempts: 2 Attempts on Target: 1 Attempted Murders: 3
3.Jennings & Lasley now walking a tightrope. Both are now only another dozen career ending fouls away from a second yellow…
4.@StewartRegan To see exactly why Scottish football is failing forget costly inquiries & simply watch today’s display from M’Well & Richmond
5.As Remembrance services go Motherwell’s re-enactment of the senseless slaughter at the Somme trumps even Rangers’ half-time Poppy Parade
6.Grant Adam considered calling Steven Naismith as a witness but apparently he couldn’t be trusted not to dive as soon as he got near the box
Some great stuff-well worth following!
The wife has barred me from watching the lowlights of the game, wouldn’t have made any difference as I understand that the good old beeb has airbrushed the assaults away into oblivion, move along Timmy, nothing to see here.
Resign Celtic.
“billy dodds, ally mccoist”
haha !!!
stuart mccall
“We didnt get what we deserved”
100% right , Stuarty boy.
your team should have had at least two red cards…
Edb – there is time yet!
PF – I imagine he felt harshly treated, after all, there are various ways to interperate the thigh high tackle.
The only time paddy had meaningful possession today which didn’t end with him being fouled was the goal. They just clogged him.
Btw, his interview (Paddy’s) on radio Scotland was brilliant! You have to love the guy. Unless your a rabid hun and therefore incapable of love.
Mullet and Co says
Nobody enjoys beating the mothers more than me.
but in the cup final big Dan maybe should have had the first red on his tackle on Sutton.
Wishybhoy
Poppies on chest
Ignoring the obvious
Well hard done by
FFS joke the lot ..
jude2005
from a glance it appears Mathews and Ledley might play for Wales in a match against Norway a week on Wednesday if they’ve been selected.
I want to avoid injuries for our players and would not be unhappy if some of their players return knackered.
Craig Paterson laments the fact that the “new” offside rules allowed Hoops to be onside.
Oh, for the good old days when that goal wouldnt have stood.
Fud.
They’re all a load of churnalists – read that one in phil mac giollabhain’s latest article
Funny how Paterson only wants the old offside rule brought back when WE score a goal using it!!!!
Has said NOTHING on all the occasions THEY have scored from it!!!
Roon ye!!!!!
Hail hail
MME
1 smashed Telly
Smug bastards
I am returning to listening to radio on mute
Our next game is away to Inverness,so we can except more of the same.
Watched McCall at half-time today from that camera in the ‘well dressing room.
He was right in his players faces, fists pumping, veins bulging.
I’m pretty sure if he was up against “Alastair’s” team he would be sitting joking with the lads, having a cup of tea.
Oh just realized next weekend means there will be no annual attack Celtic for poppycock as the internationals are on – who says international fortnights are a waste of time?
Craigy Paterson on Sportscene wants the rules changed back to a few years ago which would have made Gary Hooper offside in the build up to his winner.
You got to love them bitter Huns. Now resorting to famous literature to fix the league; H.G Wells ‘The Time Machine’ now to be in vogue at referee HQ.
On reflection Kayal did well not to get booked today.
In his first year with us he took on the Scott Brown mantle for statutory bookings in every game.
Today he never looked like going down that path, leaving a foot in etc. Probably a good thing.
Sandman
Your mistaken mate. The BBC is biased against Rangers. It was in all the papers.
You must have picked the former rangers centre half up wrongly on the BBC programme he regularly appears on.
….PFayr says:
6 November, 2011 at 22:10
Paddy
you Glasgow at the weekend?
************************************
Did you catch my reply?
Time for bed, expensive day tomorrow, insurance due on the car, and 4 new tyres for self same.
Take care and god bless
HH
KTF
Resign Celtic, tis the only answer.
I was at Ibrox in the early ’90s for corporate hospitality against Motherwell with business connections.
Before the game during the prematch meal an official from Rangers came round for a meet and greet.
Not realising he was in mixed company he said – “No worries today – Motherwell are a good hun team – theyll not give us any problems”
Cue horrified looks from my hosts and tumbleweed blowing through …
Rangers won 2-1.
Paddy
you going out for a few with cqn crew ?
If so when where , meet for a guinness
Mc Bride brands Scotish Tories “dysfunctional morons” Aye right Paul. You widnae say that if big Annabell wiz still there ya whimp!!
thought the team played well today and most of it has been covered already by other posters.
refereeing was under 7.9 performance
Is this the turning point we have been looking for? or is it just fortunate Neal couldn’t pick Ki for today’s match.(only time will tell)
TODAYS PROS
we set up to compete in the midfield today making sure we were not run over.
I hope this the turning point we have been looking for? or is it just fortunate Neal couldn’t pick Ki for today’s match.(only time will tell)
two big games playing with one up front and two wins. well done Anthony Stokes
I thought in general the whole team played well but will highlight Stokes, Sammy, Matthews and paddy’s 5.9 seconds of magic :O)
this is a new system to the players so i would always expect some bedding in problems with it.
for example the fullbacks have to watch themselves going forward because the team becomes more vulnerable on the flanks
when izzy comes back things will be far better playing this system and we will be a tougher team to compete with.
CONS
Motherwells tactics were predictable.
Trying to look from the other side, if i was setting a team out against Celtic i would do the same.
in years gone by you knew other teams managers were saying to there players
but teams don’t fear us anymore.
i don’t want to come across like a Victor Meldrew type BUT the Celtic way was to play the first 15 mins of both half’s at full tempo.
it would be unacceptable any other way. but the unacceptable has became acceptable.
“right lads, you know Celtic will be flying out the traps so make sure you keep it tight for the first 15 mins”
now i bet they say
“right lads this lot start slow and are vulnerable, so hit them hard and fast in the first 15 mins”
the other negative about today’s performance is young forest go well and truly softened up.
through experience we know this type of play will happen.
the negative is we haven’t got players that can protect him like we have had in the past.
In year gone by if someone tried kicking our more lightweight players they would have to take a tough tackle back for it.
I looked at the team today for a character that could get the opposition player looking over his shoulder for the rest of the match because he knew he would have to take one back for it(fairly).
that for us but that type of player is long gone at Celtic park The last on we had was Barry Robson. but what would you give for a Davie Hay today :o)
back to the positives to finish
well done the team. especially after playing a big game in midweek.
well done lenny for the tactics.
and well done the fans
tictalkier talking tic
Just Tweeted by The Human Torpedo
“After spending 90 mins assaulting opponents Keith Lasley is studio guest on Sportscene. What next? Ronnie Biggs co-presenting Crimewatch?”
Sportscene highlights severely edited.
Really potrayed a different game … Orwellesque