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Sport
Ben Banks

Celtic's dominant Rangers win wasn't a surprise says Motherwell boss as he predicts 'very buoyed' Hoops at Fir Park

Motherwell manager Graham Alexander wasn't blown away by a 3-0 derby victory for Celtic against Rangers - because the Hoops have been excelling for months.

The Steelmen face a big ask at Fir Park on Sunday when they take on the new Premiership leaders in league action.

Reo Hatate's double and a Liel Abada strike put Celtic on easy street in their win at Parkhead over Rangers midweek, which Alexander took note of.

Motherwell head into the game fourth and off the back of a 1-1 draw with St Mirren. Alexander says he's not learned anything he didn't already know about Sunday's opponents this week.

He said: "For me, the performance on Wednesday wasn't a surprise.

(SNS Group)

"I don't see why anyone else was surprised. Obviously it was an Old Firm game but Celtic have been performing like that for a good few months to be honest with their intensity, their passing and how they play.

"Watching the game, it wasn't really a surprise how they played. They were very good but we knew that anyway.

"My feeling after Wednesday was probably the same as it was on Wednesday morning, that Sunday is going to be a tough game but we have to plan to try to win it.

"We always set up to try to win games of football every week against every opponent."

Celtic are next up for Motherwell, fresh from their thumping win over Rangers (SNS Group)

Celtic won't underestimate Motherwell either, according to the Fir Park boss. It's why he is expecting a difficult affair as Motherwell look to extend their unbeaten home run to seven games.

Alexander added: "Celtic are in a great vein of form and will be very buoyed by the other night because of the history of the fixture and how they played.

"But what I see from Celtic is that they respect all the opponents. I think they go into every game to play their way, they have done that since the manager came in.

"Our home record is good, it's something for us to defend and enhance if we can by winning again and again.

"The players have done really well at Fir Park and the supporters have been brilliant with us as well to help us achieve those results, they have made it a great atmosphere for us to compete.

"We are going to have to bring all those things on Sunday. I think the atmosphere will be brilliant and my players have always always responded to that sort of environment.

"I think Celtic will respect us as well and know that we will try not to take a backward step."

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