Motherwell 1-3 Celtic: Title chasers battle back from one-goal down to seal crucial victory as Adam Idah's second half brace earns comeback win for Brendan Rodgers


With three minutes of injury time already gone at Fir Park, this had an end of days feel to it for Celtic. Not just for the side’s title challenge. For so many of the players who’d contrived to squander an eight-point lead at the top of the Premiership in what feels like the blink of an eye.

You’d have given much more than a penny for the thoughts of the Parkhead club’s directors in those moments. As another Motherwell clearance seemed set to confirm two more precious points being spilled, sitting on £67.3m can’t have seemed the brightest of ideas.

The inquest into how the club has operated this season will have to wait for now, though. While you wouldn’t stake an awful lot on this unconvincing Celtic side doing what’s required of them in the 11 remaining games, they are at least hanging in there.

The scorer of two late penalties at Easter Road, a thunderous header from the Irishman here turned this game in Celtic’s favour. His conversion of Alistair Johnston’s cross in the 94th minute might well prove to be one of the decisive moments in this session.

Celtic got back to winning ways after battling back to beat Motherwell in the Premiership

Celtic got back to winning ways after battling back to beat Motherwell in the Premiership

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers celebrated his side coming from behind to beat Motherwell

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers celebrated his side coming from behind to beat Motherwell

Idah’s intervention came not a moment too soon for Rodgers. His side were simply miles off it in the first half. Lethargic, disjointed and wasteful in possession, their display got exactly what it deserved when Blair Spittal found the top corner two minutes before the interval.

Liam Scales and Maik Nawrocki were bullied by Theo Bair. Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda did not strike a blow on the flanks. With Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley struggling to offer guile, Kyogo Furuhashi cut a frustrated figure up top. It was stagnant and heading towards disaster.

It would be hard to overstate the impact Idah had. Offering pace and a focal point, his presence unsettled Motherwell.

Thrown on around the hour mark, Yang Hyun-jun also made a good case for a regular start at Kuhn’s expense. It was the Korean who instigated the move that led to Idah netting the winner in the 94th minute. He still had time to provide an assist for fellow sub Luis Palma.

It was a long way from perfect from Rodgers’ side. Yet for the second time this season at this venue, they dug it it out just when it looked like the clock would beat them. There may be some life in their title challenge yet.

Unsurprisingly, Rodgers rang the changes from the costly draw with Kilmarnock with Alistair Johnston, Nawrocki, Tomoki Iwata and Kuhn drafted in. The returning Cameron Carter-Vickers initially only made it as far as the bench.

Stuart Kettlewell’s only switch was the return of Spittal as Harry Paton’s expense. The kind of dominant performance Rodgers so badly needed just did not materialise.

Only the offside flag prevented the visitors falling behind inside three minutes. Bair’s footwork to deceive Scales then Joe Hart was impressive. Confirmation that the timing of his run to latch onto Lennon Miller’s pass was just out arrived via VAR.

Adam Idah scores the second of his two goals with a brilliant header to make the score 3-1

Adam Idah scores the second of his two goals with a brilliant header to make the score 3-1

Idah's intervention came not a moment too soon for Rodgers and his side who had struggled in the first half

Idah’s intervention came not a moment too soon for Rodgers and his side who had struggled in the first half

Motherwell looked far more dangerous whenever they ventured into the final third. Another Miller ball released Jack Vale. This time Nawrocki got a vital toe in.

Both of Celtic’s central defenders tried to affect the game by stepping into midfield. Yet a Nawrocki error immediately put his side on the back foot again. Jack Vale was next to be denied by Hart.

Looking far more assured of themselves, Motherwell fashioned another chance when Spittal saw Georgie Gent out of the corner of his eye. The wing-back’s composure deserted him at the crucial moment, though. Hart watched the shot sail over.

Starved of service, Furuhashi was belatedly presented with a change when O’Riley drilled a low pass into him. Liam Kelly advanced from is line and did the necessary.

Within seconds, the Japanese became the latest man in green and white to make an unforced defensive error. Spittal shuttled the ball to Bair. Hart saved this time but you sensed it was coming.

Blair Spittle opened the game's scoring with a brilliant strike to put Motherwell in front

Blair Spittle opened the game’s scoring with a brilliant strike to put Motherwell in front

Spittle produced with a right-foot finish into the top left-corner for his stunning goal

Spittle produced with a right-foot finish into the top left-corner for his stunning goal

Arriving two minutes before the break, Spittal’s goal was an absolute peach. The set-up was a majestic spin on the edge of the Celtic box by Miller. His pass sitill left Spittal with work to do. The right-foot finish into the top left-corner was inch perfect.

Furuhashi made way for Idah at the break. Frankly, Rodgers could have made multiple changes.

It paid dividends within six minutes. Working a yard of space on the left, Greg Taylor’s cross fell in between Bevis Mugabi and Dan Casey. Idah seemed to leap six feet off the turf. His flashing header had power and accuracy. Kelly didn’t have a chance.

Celtic are now two points behind league leaders Rangers

Celtic are now two points behind league leaders Rangers

In the few minutes that followed, Motherwell looked stung. But they came again. Only a terrific finger-tip save by Hart prevent Miller’s header restoring their advantage.

It was anyone’s game now. Maeda would have certainly completely the turnaround with a back-post header had Adan Devine not intervened.

Kuhn and Nawrocki departed the scene just after the hour mark having contributed little. The introduction of Yang did offer Rodgers more invention down the right.

The Korean’s first involvement was to find Johnston. The Canadian’s cross left Maeda just with too much to do to convert at the far post. Yang cut out the middle man a few moments later. This time the Japanese winger did connect but couldn’t find the target.

Calum Butcher’s first action after replacing Dan Casey was it tug back Idah on the edge of the box at the cost of a booking. O’Riley’s tame free-kick found the wall.

Scales had a flashing header from a corner saved then Idah failed to hit the target with an easier chance than the one he converted.

Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi was one of a number of visiting players who struggled against Motherwell

Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi was one of a number of visiting players who struggled against Motherwell

As the board showed five minutes of injury time, it felt like’s Celtic’s season would come down to this.

Four minutes had been added on when Yang showed commendable composure to pick out the overlapping Johnston. The full-back’s low cross invited Idah to put his laces through it. The calmest of side-foot finishes saw an eruption relief and joy from behind the goal.

You had to feel for Motherwell. Having looked good for at least a point for so long, they were shell-shocked at losing it so late on.

The loss of a third goal with pretty much the last action of the game was more salt in the wound. This time Yang was the provider – his deep cross turned home at the far post by Palma. The scoreline suggested a comfortable afternoon for the champions. The reality could not have been more different.



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