Celtic climbed back to the top of the Scottish Premiership this afternoon with a 3-0 win over Motherwell at Fir Park.
Brendan Rodgers named a much-changed Celtic side for the Fir Park visit as he left captain, Callum McGregor, out of the match day squad.
The Hoops decided to gamble and go with an untested midfield trio of Luke McCowan, Paulo Bernardo and Reo Hatate as Rodgers freshened up his midfield after their Champions League exertions at Atalanta on Wednesday night.
Goals from Luke McCowan, Alistair Johnston and substitute, Adam Idah helped seal the three points but it was a real team effort from Celtic as they tried to break down a dogged Motherwell back five.
It was a good result after a shaky start at a Motherwell venue that Celtic have found to be tricky over the past couple of seasons so here are 67 Hail Hail’s player ratings for the Fir Park win.
Celtic player ratings vs Motherwell
Kasper Schmeichel – 6
The big Dane didn’t have much to do but was beaten twice in the first half as Lennon Miller hit the Celtic woodwork twice in the first half.
Alistair Johnston – 8
Standing Celtic captain for the day, Johnston put in another solid defensive performance and showed bravery at his goal as he dived in for the headed finish.
Auston Trusty – 7
Looked calm and composed at the back and has developed a very good partnership with Liam Scaled at the heart of the Celtic defence.
Liam Scales – 7
Another good display from the Republic of Ireland international. Did very well keeping tabs on the Motherwell counter-attack and showed his versatility by slotting into the left-back position after Alex Valle was subbed off in the 67th minute.
Alex Valle – 7
The on-loan Barcelona defender was solid again for Celtic and is starting to strike up a good understanding with Daizen Maeda on the left flank. Probed the Motherwell defence at times and was subbed off in the 67th minute.
Luke McCowan – 8
Earned his first Celtic start after impressive cameos against Rangers, Hearts and Atalanta this season. Earned his goal and showed a real threat with his long-range shooting.
Paulo Bernardo – 6
Slotting into Celtic captain, Callum McGregor’s deeper role the Portuguese midfielder wasn’t involved much as he tried to marshall the Motherwell counter-attack.
Reo Hatate – 6
Probed and pushed forward and was sometimes slack with his passing, especially in the first half. Much better second half as he controlled the midfield.
James Forrest – 6
Showed flashed in the first half as he tested the Motherwell’s left-back. Created three chances for Celtic before being replaced by Nicolas Kuhn in the 67th minute.
Daizen Maeda – 6
Couldn’t really unleash his pace as Motherwell crowded their defensive third. Linked up well with Valle and was unlucky not to have won a penalty. Had a glancing header flash just past the Motherwell post in the first half. Subbed off in the 85th minute
Kyogo Furuhashi – 6
Struggled to get going in the first half as Motherwell tried to stifle the Celtic attack. Looked more dangerous in the second half and was unlucky not to find himself on the scoresheet after a fine second-half save by Motherwell’s keeper Oxborough.
Adam Idah (sub) – 7
Brought on with 15 minutes left to play and was unlucky not to score Celtic’s third after clipping the outside of the post. Finally earned his goal in the 88th minute after combining with Nicolas Kuhn’s tidy cutback.
Nicolas Kuhn – 7
Replaced Forrest and almost earned an assist had Idah not hit the woodwork not long after coming on. Was dangerous from the minute he came as his trickery opened up space for Idah to hit Celtic’s third.
Luis Palma – 4
Only got five minutes as he replaced Maeda and never got the chance to do anything of note.
Arne Engels – 4
Another late sub and didn’t get enough time to make his mark on the game.
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