Celtic Win Six Goal 'Well Thriller

CelticKing · Sep 13, 2008

Celtic Win Six Goal 'Well Thriller

Motherwell 2-4 Celtic

Looking to bounce back from their 4-2 Old Firm humiliation a fortnight ago, Celtic were 4-0 up at half-time, stunning Fir Park. The 'Well pulled a couple back after the break, but the Hoops held on.

Marc Crosas started in the midfield for Celtic, with Shunsuke Nakamura on the bench after his international exploits. Fit-again Scott McDonald partnered Georgios Samaras up front with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink suspended.

First Half

It was an up-tempo start by the Hoops and Shaun Maloney bagged his first since returning to Celtic inside five minutes. Samaras was involved before Scott Brown found the unmarked Maloney at the back post.

Celtic were fluid and hungry in the early running and would soon silence Fir Park.

Samaras skipped away from Mark Reynolds on eight minutes and stabbed under the 'keeper to double the advantage.

Midway through the half it looked as though the hosts had finally settled, but the Bhoys were able to turn the screw again. A simple throw-in fell to McDonald, who let the ball bounce and lashed into the roof of the net.

Maloney had a good chance for the fourth, but misjudged his attempt to chip Graeme Smith.

David Clarkson attempted to inspire 'Well and was perhaps unlucky not to make any headway. He netted with an overhead kick after Stephen Hughes' lobbed cross, but the offside trap denied him.

The Scotland striker also felt that Gary Caldwell had handled in the area whilst blocking his shot. The referee waved away his claims.

Maloney had hit the bar with a free-kick before Celtic were able to all but secure the points before the break. A flowing team move, involving pretty one-touch football throughout, was finished off by the unplayable Samaras.

Second Half

After the opening period mugging, Steelmen boss Mark McGhee demanded a response from his side. He would get it.

The hosts surged forward after Celtic switched off for a second and John Sutton - brother of ex-Celtic man Chris - thumped into the bottom left-hand corner.

Then, Motherwell were back in the game. The 4-4 draw of 2005 popped into the mind as Clarkson ran away from Stephen McManus and buried past Artur Boruc.

Two goals in the space of three minutes helped restore some pride and get the crowd back into the game. However, the tempo could not and did not last. The Hoops were able to weather the storm and the clock started to tick away rapidly.

Boruc made a good save from a Paul Quinn header with ten minutes remaining and Maloney blasted wide at the other end. There was to be no hat-trick for Greek hitman Samaras, though, and no further scoring.

Both sides will now prepare for European action in midweek.
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Colonel Ronan · Sep 13, 2008

It seems close, but it really wasn't.

CelticKing · Sep 13, 2008

I still think the Rangers will win the league.

man_u_barmy_army · Sep 13, 2008

Well it is going to be another unsurprising season in the SPL. Celtic or Rangers either way.

Colonel Ronan · Sep 13, 2008

But they did very well last Champions League, M.

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Celtic Win Six Goal 'Well Thriller

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Celtic Win Six Goal 'Well Thriller

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