In a stunning twist at Celtic Park, Jon Obika’s header in the final moments earned Motherwell an unexpected draw.
Celtic’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, expressed clear disappointment, stating that there were “no excuses” for his team’s failure to secure a win against Motherwell. This sentiment came after Jon Obika’s last-minute goal thwarted Celtic’s hopes of widening their lead in the Scottish Premiership. Obika’s goal, a shocking turn of events, came only minutes after David Turnbull’s penalty, which was awarded following a VAR decision for Calum Butcher’s foul on Mikey Johnston.
Motherwell, despite a nine-game winless streak before this match, demonstrated resilience. Their only attempt in the second half paid off when Obika converted Blair Spittal’s corner kick into a goal.
For Celtic, it was a day of missed opportunities. Luis Palma’s penalty was impressively saved by Motherwell’s goalkeeper, Liam Kelly. Matt O’Riley also had a golden chance to repeat his previous heroics with a last-minute goal, but his header missed the target.
Rodgers, speaking to BBC Scotland, admitted his frustration, saying, “A draw at home is akin to a loss for us. Despite possessing the ball over 80% of the time, our creation of chances was limited, and the few we had should have clinched the win for us.”
The result leaves Celtic still leading but only by nine points, with Rangers having two games in hand. Motherwell remains in the eighth position, now enduring a 10-match winless streak. However, this draw might mark a pivotal moment in their season.
Celtic’s game was characterized by dominance in possession but a lack of finishing. They managed only two shots on target from the penalty spot out of four in total, despite having 81% possession. Kelly’s performance for Motherwell was noteworthy, making several crucial saves.
Motherwell’s defense was largely solid, barring a couple of lapses that led to penalties. However, their late goal against the run of play, courtesy of Obika, led to jubilation among their fans and silenced the Celtic Park crowd.
The player of the match was Motherwell’s goalkeeper, Liam Kelly, who displayed remarkable skill and resilience, particularly given his previous struggles this season.
This outcome brings a sense of déjà vu for Celtic, reminiscent of their earlier season game against St Johnstone. Despite heavy possession and chances, including two penalties, they failed to secure a win. This result potentially narrows the gap for Rangers, intensifying the competition at the top of the league.
For Motherwell, this result could signify a turning point, especially considering their lengthy winless run. The team’s next fixtures against Dundee, Ross County, and St Johnstone could be crucial for their season’s revival.
Looking ahead, Celtic’s next engagement is in the Champions League, where they face Lazio in Rome. Motherwell will host Dundee in their upcoming league match.
Key Match Statistics:
- Possession: Celtic 81%, Motherwell 19%
- Shots: Celtic 20, Motherwell 6
- Shots on Target: Celtic 4, Motherwell 2
- Corners: Celtic 13, Motherwell 2
- Fouls: Celtic 8, Motherwell 9
Player Ratings Highlight:
- Jonathan Obika (Motherwell) stood out with an average rating of 8.56.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Celtic Motherwell Draw
Who scored the late equalizer for Motherwell against Celtic?
Jon Obika scored the late equalizer for Motherwell in their 1-1 draw against Celtic.
What was Brendan Rodgers’ reaction to Celtic’s draw with Motherwell?
Brendan Rodgers expressed disappointment at Celtic’s inability to win, stating there were “no excuses” for not securing a victory despite dominating possession.
How did the draw affect Celtic and Motherwell’s standings in the Scottish Premiership?
The draw left Celtic still leading the league by nine points, while Motherwell remained in eighth place, extending their winless streak to 10 matches.
Who was the player of the match in the Celtic vs Motherwell game?
Liam Kelly, Motherwell’s goalkeeper, was named player of the match for his exceptional performance, including crucial saves.
What are the next fixtures for Celtic and Motherwell following their draw?
Following the draw, Celtic’s next game is in the Champions League against Lazio in Rome, while Motherwell’s next league match is against Dundee.
More about Celtic Motherwell Draw
- Celtic FC Official Website
- Motherwell FC Official Website
- Scottish Premiership
- BBC Sport Football
- UEFA Champions League
4 comments
Motherwell’s goalie was on fire, man. kelly deserves all the praise, saved them from a sure loss
Rodgers needs to shake things up, this ain’t good enough for a team like Celtic. they should’ve won this easily! what’s going on with the squad?
totally saw this coming! celtic’s been off their game lately, not surprised they couldn’t seal the deal even with all that possession, they gotta step up big time!
That draw felt like a win, no kidding! Obika’s header in the last minute was epic, hope this turns our season around #COYW