Celtic remain on top after clinical win over Motherwell

Glasgow Celtic extended their impressive winning streak to seven in all competitions by beating Motherwell at Celtic Park on Sunday. The win assures Celtic stay on top of the Scottish Premiership, while the chasing Glasgow Rangers were victorious as well in their match against Livingston. Both Glasgow teams are still tied on top of the league with 31 points and exactly the same record of 10 wins, one loss and one draw – Celtic have the advantage of winning their previous head-to-head game but there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference between the two rivals.

Sunday’s game had a tough battle written all over it as Motherwell is hunting the top duo at fourth place with 22 points. They challenged Rangers at their home turf two weeks prior, but Steven Gerrard’s men ran out with a narrow 2-1 victory. Celtic started the Sunday issue strong and Odsonne Edouard nailed his eight goal of the season in the Premiership and sent Celtic 1-0 up only 19 minutes into the game. Edouard is closing in on Rangers’ duo Jermaine Defoe and Alfredo Morelos in the scoring race: Defoe has 10, Morelos nine and now Edouard stands at total tally of eight.

The go-ahead goal was well deserved as Celtic piled on the pressure from early on. Motherwell keeper Mark Gillespie had to make three saves and Celtic controlled the possession with 62% in the first half. The visitors couldn’t break through the hosts’ defenses and didn’t manage a shot on goal in the whole of first half. The second half was more even possession-wise as Celtic pulled back after 57th minute insurance, unluckily sent to his own net by Motherwell defender Richard Tait. Celtic had no trouble containing the visitors’ advances and in the end, Fraser Forster didn’t have to put his gloves to the dirt a single time.

After a clear and deserved 2-0 victory, Celtic’s squad is heading to the international break, with plenty to play for their national sides. With the games approaching fast and not far between them, Celtic boss Neil Lennon can only hope his talisman players such as Odsonne Edouard will stay healthy and get some much needed rest as well.