CALLUM McGREGOR praised the true grit qualities of his Celtic team-mates as they edged to within one win of a fifth successive title after the dramatic stoppage-time triumph over Motherwell at Fir Park last night.
Tension settled on a small part of North Lanarkshire as it looked as though the champions would have to settle for a point with the game deadlock at 2-2 and time ticking down.
In remarkable circumstances, the Hoops were awarded a penalty-kick after a VAR-adjudged handball from Sam Nicholson as he challenged Auston Trusty in the air for a right-wing throw-in from Anthony Ralston.
John Beaton missed the flashpoint incident, but Andrew Dallas, in front of the screens, ordered a touchline review and the referee had a quickfire look before returning to point to the spot.
BY THE LEFT…Kelechi Iheanacho strokes in the penalty-kick winner in Celtic’s dramatic 3-2 triumph over Motherwell at Fir Park. Anthony Ralston looks on.
Kelechi Iheanacho, developing the happy knack of scoring late winners for the team, rolled it nonchalantly past Calum Ward for the points-clinching strike.
Before that goal, the Hoops would have required a 4-0 victory over leaders Hearts at Parkhead on Saturday to lift the flag, but now a victory by any margin will get the job done.
Skipper McGtegor just had time to draw breath at full-time before saying: “Obviously, you do the maths around what we would have had to do at the weekend, but credit to Kelechi Iheanacho.
“He’s a big personality, a big player who steps up in the big moments and gets us over the line. Now it’s in our own hands.
“I thought it was a good game. Motherwell started well and then I thought we got control when we scored, but it was a game which ebbed and flowed.
“They’re good with the ball, they make you work hard.
“But I thought after the weekend in terms of everything the boys had to put into it, emotionally, physically, to still be recovering and then get to that level again – I definitely thought we deserved to win the game over the balance.”
JOY BHOYS…Callum McGregor, Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston and Sebastian Tounekti celebrate after an epic encounter at Fir Park.
McGregor, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “Of course, both teams had chances, but I thought the boys worked really hard, stayed with the task and ultimately got our rewards.
“Our aim was to take it to the last day. It’s in our hands and that’s all we can ask for.
“From where we were in late December, to be back involved, and we’ve been under pressure now for two or three months in having to win every game.
“The players have responded so well and now we have the chance to have our day on Saturday.”
The inspirational onfield leader added: “So, now it’s about preparing properly, resting over the next two days and then we have to go for it.
“I’m sure the stadium will be white hot in terms of atmosphere and we have to go and take the game to them and, ultimately, see if we can win.”
IT’S PARADISE AS KEL SETS UP TITLE CRUNCH
IT’S THE BOOK DEAL OF THE YEAR! You can now own a copy of ‘Celtic 50 Flags Plus One’ AND ‘Celtic Treble Treble’ for only £9.95 plus postage. Two stunning Celtic publications and you can save a massive £20! Order now! Just click the image for details and your books will be on their way. Happy reading!
