Celtic 3-1 Motherwell – Spirited Hoops fightback against a slick opponent

Mar 15, 2026 - 15:30

0 0

Celtic 3-1 Motherwell – Spirited Hoops fightback against a slick opponent

Spirited Celtic fightback against a slick Motherwell side, proved ever so vital…

Yesterday Celtic overcame a major hurdle in our bid to retain the league title by beating an excellent Motherwell side, but not without a fight, as we had to come from behind to win by three goals to one. It was a result that would prove even more significant after Hearts later crashed to a Saturday night defeat at Kilmarnock, slashing the gap between us and Derek McInnes’ side to just two points, with them having to come to Celtic Park post-spilt.

So the title is very much in Celtic’s hands as the Hearts away form continues to dent their chances with nine points dropped away to St Mirren, the Rangers and now Kilmarnock.

Elijah Just of Motherwell shoots past Benjamin Arthur of Celtic and scores to give Motherwell a 0-1 lead. Celtic v Motherwell, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 14 March 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

A disjointed Celtic side who were unlucky not to take the lead when Sebastian Tounekti’s shot shot hit the post and trickled across the line, where hit with a crushing blow when reported Celtic target Elijah Just opened the scoring in the 32nd minute after Reo Hatate lost possession on the edge of his own box. It was poor from the Japanese midfielder, whose form frustratingly continues to blow hot and cold.

Viljami Sinisalo though must share responsibility for such a dangerous pass – if in doubt just clear your lines son!

Hyunjun Yang of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s opening goal with Benjamin Nygren during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic were back on level term seven minutes later thanks to Yang, with the South Korean acting quickest to a ball played across the box thanks to the grit and determination of Benjamin Nygren, who adds another assist to his impressive first season stats.

The game turned on its head as the game entered the final twenty minutes, when Tomas Cvancara just as he did last Sunday, kept his nerve from the penalty spot to fire the hoops into the lead.

It was a controversial incident, not the award in itself, but the fact it took a VAR review to come to the correct conclusion was very controversial, especially as it happened right in front of John Beaton eyes. The referee had the clearest view in the stadium but simply could not bring himself to point to the spot for a penalty to Celtic.

Hyunjun Yang of Celtic scores his team’s opening goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The official had no other option than to point to the spot after going to the pitch side monitor, and send the offending Motherwell defender packing for the denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity. Afterwards even the Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou accepted that the correct decision was reached in the end to award the penalty and reduce his side to ten men.

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is seen during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

There was only going to be one winner after that, but we still needed that vital two goal cushion, and we got that curtesy of the impressive Yang, who scored his second of the game, to secure all three points.

In the end, despite some shaky moments, it was a vital victory against a slick and well organised Motherwell side.

Here are the match highlights…

Don’t miss Sandman’s Definitive Ratings…

“We’re in the driving seat with the salt ‘n’ sauce Cousins on the run, and their Spiderman cosplay Cousins one bad result from an anguished meltdown that will make Chernobyl look like a chip-pan fire.”