Celtic delivered a commanding performance at Celtic Park this afternoon, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Motherwell.
In a match that started sluggishly for the Hoops, Brendan Rodgers’ side turned on the style in the second half, securing three points and maintaining momentum in their title charge ahead of Rangers who are in action later today.
First Half: A Tale of Patience
The first half began cautiously, with both sides struggling to carve out clear-cut chances. Motherwell’s high press caused Celtic a few headaches in the opening exchanges, but the Hoops gradually found their rhythm.
The breakthrough came in first-half stoppage time after Yang Hyun-Jun drew a foul in the box. Arne Engels stepped up to take the penalty and coolly dispatched it into the bottom left corner, sending the Parkhead faithful into raptures. It wasn’t vintage Celtic, but the 1-0 lead gave Rodgers something to build on at the break.
Second Half: Celtic Find Their Groove
The second half saw a much-improved Celtic. Daizen Maeda doubled the lead in the 57th minute, heading home from close range after a well-worked corner routine involving Engels and Liam Scales. It was a simple but effective finish, highlighting Maeda’s knack for being in the right place at the right time.
From there, Celtic began to dominate proceedings. Brendan Rodgers introduced Kyogo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kühn, and Reo Hatate just after the hour mark, and the substitutes wasted no time making an impact. Kühn, in particular, was keen to prove his worth, and he did so in emphatic fashion.
In the 74th minute, Kühn picked up the ball in the inside-right channel, drove toward the box, and unleashed a left-footed strike that deflected off Kofi Balmer, leaving Motherwell’s goalkeeper, Aston Oxborough, helpless. The German celebrated the goal, that marked his return to the side in style.
Reo Hatate’s Magic Seals the Deal
With Celtic firmly in control, Reo Hatate put the icing on the cake in the 81st minute. The Japanese midfielder received a pass from Álex Valle, another impactful substitute, and unleashed a sublime curling shot from outside the box into the bottom-right corner. The goal epitomised Celtic’s class and left Motherwell utterly deflated.
Dominance and Depth on Display
This was a performance that showed Celtic’s depth and ability to adapt. The first half was a grind, but the second half was a reminder of the quality and flair this team possesses. Rodgers’ substitutions turned the game into a rout, with Kühn, Hatate, and Valle all playing starring roles.
Motherwell, to their credit, started with energy and aggression but ultimately couldn’t match Celtic’s intensity or creativity. Stuart Kettlewell’s men had no answer to the Hoops’ relentless second-half surge.
What’s Next for Celtic?
Celtic now turn their attention to a busy schedule. They face St Johnstone at home this Sunday with a 3pm kickoff at Celtic Park, looking to consolidate their lead at the top of the table. Following that, the Hoops have a massive test against Rangers at Ibrox on January 2nd, also kicking off at 3pm.
Celtic currently sit 12 points clear of Rangers, albeit having played one game more than Philippe Clement’s side. The upcoming Glasgow derby offers Rodgers’ men a golden opportunity to further assert their dominance in the title race and silence any lingering doubts from the media that Rangers will catch Celtic before the end of the season.
