Celtic continued their positive start to the league campaign with a dramatic late win at Fir Park against Motherwell at the weekend.
It could have been easy for the heads to drop in the Celtic team when Blair Spittal struck the Steelmen’s equaliser on 95 minutes. Matt O’Riley had other ideas, though, as he converted a Greg Taylor cross in the dying embers of the game, resulting in a pitch invasion and scenes of jubilation amongst the supporters.
Those are the sort of wins that you end up reminiscing about at the end of the season, especially if Celtic win the title. A title win is a long way off, but Celtic have built up a seven point gap in the first seven games and seem intent on retaining their crow for the 18th time in 24 years.
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Scott Bain – 6
Celtic’s back-up keeper stepped in for the suspended Joe Hart for just his 7th appearance in three seasons and put in an adequate display, the highlights of his game being a great save to deny eventual goal-scorer Spittal with just under 20 minutes to play.
Alistair Johnston – 7
Johnston put in a similar display to his performance at the Tony Macaroni Arena against Livingston. He didn’t shy away from the physical battle and defended well in a game that demanded a lot out of him, as well as threatening in an attacking sense.
Gustaf Lagerbielke – 6
The Swede looked solid enough whilst sometimes appearing shaky in possession. He did his defensive duties well and was replaced by Nat Phillips just after the hour mark, meaning he was off the field for the home side’s equaliser, therefore maintaining his streak of having not conceded in the Premiership.
Liam Scales – 7
The Irishman continued his good run of form and was perhaps unlucky not to be on the score-sheet after rising highest to meet an O’Riley corner. He did his defensive duties well and continued to raise the question as to whether he should keep his place in the team when Cameron Carter-Vickers returns.
Greg Taylor – 7
Taylor continued his return to form at Fir Park as he was constantly involved in the game, defending well and eventually providing the match-winning assist for O’Riley’s late goal.
Callum McGregor – 7
Much like the aforementioned Taylor, McGregor was constantly involved in the game as he tried to spearhead Celtic’s second-half search for a winning goal. As he so often does, he stepped up in a game where Celtic needed players to be counted on.
Matt O’Riley – 8
O’Riley celebrated his new contract in perfect fashion as he grabbed the winning goal on the day. His all-round game was brilliant, showing good defensive and attacking qualities with the winner being the cherry on top of a great performance.
Reo Hatate – 6
Hatate didn’t have his greatest of games, struggling to carve open a well-organised Motherwell side. He took a knock to the face early on and couldn’t get his game back on track from then.
Yang Hyun-Jun – 5
Yang has a lot for fans to like about him – he always looks positive on the ball and has a willingness to take on defenders. The South Korean looked unusually subdued against Motherwell and lacked the end product Brendan Rodgers required of his front three. He didn’t reappear after the break, having been replaced by James Forrest.
Kyogo Furuhashi – 6
It was another quiet game for the Japanese international, as Kyogo struggled to find good spaces against a rigid Motherwell defence. He was dropping deep to try and make things happen but the gaps he likes to take advantage of just weren’t there.
Daizen Maeda – 6
Maeda’s usual relentless work ethic was on show, but he was lacking in an attacking sense. Motherwell kept him quiet in the final third and his only opportunity to get in behind the defence was spurned.
Substitutes
James Forrest – 4
Forrest picked up some good spaces in the final third but missed Celtic’s biggest opportunity up until that moment to take the lead, missing a header with less than 10 to play.
Nat Phillips – 5
The English centre-back got some valuable minutes in his legs and looked composed when on the ball.
Oh Hyeon-gyu – 4
The South Korean struggled to get involved in the game for the 13 minutes he was on the park.
Luis Palma – 6
The Honduran’s introduction injected much-needed life into the Celtic attack. Should have had an assist for the aforementioned James Forrest chance and grabbed Celtic’s opener. Was it an attempt on goal rather than a cross? I’m not sure anyone was arguing the toss when it gave Celtic the lead.
David Turnbull – 4
The former Motherwell man wasn’t able to create much after his introduction with less than 15 minutes left to play.
JAMES MCKENZIE // Follow James HERE
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