A brave, positive display from Motherwell wasn’t enough to earn them a share of the points, as 10 man Celtic, uncharacteristically, were left hanging on to their slender lead.
Motherwell were hoping to end a barren run of 24 games without a win against Celtic. The sight of Louis Moult returning to Celtic Park, where he grabbed both goals when they won 2-1 in December 2015, was a good omen.
By the time the striker came off the bench with 22 minutes remaining, though, ‘Well were trailing 2-1 to goals from Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate. But Josip Juranovic’s first half own goal in first half not only brought the Fir Park men an unexpected equaliser but a belief they could take something from the game.
When Callum McGregor’s red card reduced Celtic to ten men for the final eight minutes, Motherwell had the opportunity to force an equaliser but in the end the efforts fell just short.
Steven Hammell was forced into a couple of changes and looking to expose the gap in the centre of the Celtic defence with both Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt missing.
Joe Efford’s injury allowed Connor Shields to partner Kevin van Veen up front.
And Hammell’s positive approach was evident from the start as the Fir Park men kept Celtic pinned in their own penalty box for the first couple of minutes.
Sadly, after that Celtic forced the play and with ‘Well having to defend deep into their own half Kyogo Furuhashi’s tame shot gave Liam Kelly his first save of the afternoon.
The crosses from the Celtic flanks started to pepper Kelly’s goal and after 15 minutes the ‘Well ‘keeper produced a superb save to block Matt O’Riley’s powerful header, but Kyogo followed up to thump the ball into the net and put the home side one up.
For all their possession around the visitor’s box the Steelmen could have equalised after 28 minutes.
Paul McGinn’s cross from the right floated over Cornelius and bounced past a surprised Maguire, where, from eight yards in front of goal any touch would have threatened Joe Hart.
Motherwell almost paid for that miss in the 33rd minute when Josip Juranovic’s ferocious free kick left Kelly helpless only for the ball to crash back off the ‘keeper’s crossbar.
The Celtic full back knew his luck was out three minutes later when his own goal levelled the scores.
It started with a great piece of work from Matt Penney allowed Shields to cut into the box and drive a shot towards goal which Hart beat away for a corner.
When Sean Goss corner was only partially cleared, Blair Spittal hoisted the ball back into a packed box. Juranovic looked assured as he chested the ball back towards his ‘keeper only to watch Hart make a vain attempt to prevent the ball rolling over the Celtic goal line.
As the home fans were stunned into silence another corner from Goss caused concern in a nervous looking Celtic.
Two minutes from the break, though, Celtic came close to restoring their lead. Hatate made space 25 yards from goal and after his terrific drive rebounded from Kelly’s left hand post, Kyogo stooped to head the rebound into the net.
However, the assistant referee’s raised flag for offside ensured that the first half ended all square.
Motherwell should have ended that parity just three minutes after the break when another Goss corner whizzed across the six-yard line with three of his team mates unable to produce the killer touch.
The Fir Park men passed up another chance after 52 minutes. A deep free kick from Penney found Hart racing from his line and into a ruck of players in an attempt to punch the ball clear. As the Celtic ‘keeper slumped to the ground Van Veen could only hoist the loose ball over a packed box and the unguarded goal.
As the hour mark approached it was end to stuff as a drive from Juranovic dipped over Kelly’s bar before Hart outjumped Spittal to hold Shields’ tempting cross.
Three minutes later, though, Celtic were back in front when another stunning strike from Hatate screamed past the diving Kelly.
With 68 minutes played and Motherwell still very much in the game, Hammell made a double substitution, Stuart McKinstry and Louis Moult replacing Cornelius and Van Veen, who had just landed heavily on his shoulder.
Fifteen minutes from time a wonderful save from Kelly, nicking the ball of Kyogo’s toes when he looked certain to make it 3-1 kept ‘Well’s hopes alive.
Three minutes later the Fir Park men should have grabbed the equaliser. Maguire’s long throw found McKinstry eight yards from goal but he mistimed his attempt and the chance was gone.
As the game moved into the final five minutes and Celtic looking increasingly nervous Maguire’s 30 yard drive skimmed across the turf forcing Hart to get low down to his left to save.
The tension in the Celtic Park stands mounted two minutes from the end of normal time when Ross Tierney latched onto Maguire’s through ball only to be hauled back by McGregor. John Beaton had no hesitation in showing the Celtic captain a red card but they escaped further punishment when Penney’s effort from the resultant free kick sailed high over Hart’s crossbar.
‘Well were given five added minutes to use their one man advantage as the home fans screamed for the final whistle but couldn’t create an opening as the home side held out for a narrow win.
