Motherwell 2 Celtic 4: Samaras turns on the style for Celtic
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.If Europe was on the minds of either of these sides, it did not show. Motherwell and Celtic served up six goals yesterday in an encounter that must have had the watching spies from Aalborg and Nancy pondering about the energy levels in the Scottish Premier League.
Gordon Strachan dropped four key players after the defeat by Rangers a fortnight ago. He was rewarded with a display in which Celtic swept their hosts aside with four goals in the first half that will restore equilibrium before Wednesday's Champions'League match against the Danes.
Motherwell face their French opponents in the Uefa Cup 24 hours later, and if they looked shell-shocked by the onslaught that saw Georgios Samaras net twice, along with Shaun Maloney and Scott McDonald, then second-half replies from John Sutton and David Clarkson restored some pride.
"That was the best I have ever seen Celtic here," Stephen Craigan, Motherwell's captain, said. "It was even better than the days when Henrik Larsson was with them and they moved the ball about so slickly that half-time could not come quick enough for us. We will be tighter in France, that's for sure."
Mark McGhee's team were undone within eight minutes, by which time Celtic had eased into a two-goal lead. Maloney netted his first goal since returning from Aston Villa when he profited from a surge down the right and low cross by Scott Brown in the fifth minute. Three minutes later, Samaras cut in from the right to produce a solo effort worthy of any stage.
Motherwell fell further behind in the 24th minute as McDonald, the former Fir Park favourite, spun away from his marker to gather Mark Wilson's throw-in and lobbed Smith from 14 yards.
Maloney hit the bar with a dipping free-kick before Samaras struck Celtic's fourth goal in the 40th minute, completing a seven-man move down the left which peaked when Lee Naylor's pass to McDonald was backheeled into the path of Samaras, who surged into the box before hitting a right-foot finish past Smith.
Motherwell recovered after the interval, with Sutton producing a finish of some style as he volleyed past Artur Boruc inthe 55th minute. Three minutes later, Clarkson slipped a shot under Boruc.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments