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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Andy McGilvray

Celtic 2, Motherwell 1: Hatate magic downs Well as 10-man Celtic hold on

Motherwell fell to a narrow defeat against 10-man Celtic as they regained their place at the top of the Premiership table.

But the Scottish champions were made to work hard for it, following one of the most bizarre own-goals in recent memory, and a straight red card shown to captain Callum McGregor for denying Ross Tierney a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Ange Postecoglou's men were in action for the first time since losing 2-0 at St Mirren two weeks ago, and they were keen to avoid a repeat in front of a huge Celtic Park crowd.

The Glasgow giants were pretty much in control of the first half, and took the lead in 15 minutes through Kyogo, only for Josip Juranvoic to chest the ball past his own goalkeeper, 60 seconds after hitting the bar at the other end!

But Reo Hatate put Celtic in front midway through the second half, and it was a strike worthy of winning any game.

Ange Postecoglou made four changes from the side that lost 2-0 at St Mirren two weeks ago. Juranovic, Matt O'Riley, Reo Hatate and Jota came in for Anthony Ralston, Aaron Mooy, David Turnbull and Liel Abada.

Kyogo celebrates his opener against Motherwell (SNS Group)

Motherwell boss Stevie Hammell made two changes to the side that lost 3-0 to Hearts last time out, with Dean Cornelius

Celtic created the first chance in three minutes when Daezen Maeda brushed Blair Spittal off and crossed for Jota, but his shot was well saved by Liam Kelly.

But the hosts took the lead in 15 minutes when Jota darted down the left and his cross was headed goalwards by Jota, only for Kelly to block. However, he responded quickly to blast the ball into the net.

Celtic could have doubled their lead by Juranovic struck a 20-yard free kick off the bar in 35 minutes.

Sixty seconds later, the defender chested a Sean Goss corner from the right past Hart for a bizarre own-goal.

Motherwell players celebrate their bizarre equaliser (SNS Group)

Celtic hit the post through Reo Hatate as the half ended all square.

Postecoglou's side tried to get their noses back in front, and Juranovic forced a good save from Kelly at the right post corner to deny him.

They got that goal in 64 minutes when Jota picked out Hatate and he checked inside before curling an unstoppable shot into the bottom right corner.

Reo Hatate celebrates after putting Celtic 2-1 ahead against Motherwell (SNS Group)

Kyogo should have got his second of the game in 75 minutes when he was sent through on goal, but Kelly made a terrific blocking save to deny him.

Celtic were reduced to 10 men with two minutes left when McGregor pulled Ross Tierney down as he bore down on goal, but Josh Morris sent the free kick wildly over from just outside the box.

CELTIC: Hart, Juranovic, Jenz, Welsh, Taylor, McGregor, O'Riley (Turnbull, 65), Hatate (Abildgaard, i0), Jota (Mooy, 90), Maeda (Abada, 65), Kyogo (Haksabanovic, 80).

Subs (not used): Siegrist (GK), Mooy, Bernabei, Forrest, Ralston.

Sent off: McGregor (88)

Booked: Welsh (52)

MOTHERWELL: Kelly, McGinn, Solholm, Lamie, Penney, Maguire, Goss (Morris, 79), Cornelius (McKinstry, 69), Spittal (Tierney, 79), Shields, van Veen (Moult, 69).

Subs (not used): Oxborough (GK), O'Donnell, Mugabi, Miller, Ross.

Booked: Lamie (27), van Veen (42), Penney (60)

Referee: John Beaton.

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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