A spirited Celtic side’s counter-attack against a cunning Motherwell side proved crucial…
Yesterday Celtic overcame a major obstacle to our retaining the league title by beating a good Motherwell side, but not without a fight as we had to come from behind to win three games to one. That result proved even more significant after defeat to Kilmarnock on Saturday night, reducing the gap to just two points between us and Derek McInnes’ side, who had to come to Celtic Park after a split.
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As a result, the title rests very much in Celtic’s hands and Hearts’ away form continues to undermine their chances, dropping nine points in away defeats to St Mirren, Rangers and now Kilmarnock.
Motherwell’s Elijah Just fired a shot past Celtic’s Benjamin Arthur to score, giving Motherwell a 0-1 lead. Celtic v Motherwell, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 14 March 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock
A shattered Celtic side were unlucky to take the lead when Sebastian Tunekti’s shot hit the post and crossed the goal line, with Celtic target Illa opening the scoring in the 32nd minute after Leo Hartat lost possession on the edge of his own penalty area. The Japanese midfielder’s performance has been poor and, frustratingly, his form continues to go hot and cold.
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However, Viljami Sinisalo must share the blame for such a dangerous pass – when in doubt, clear your line, son!
Celtic’s Yang Xianjun celebrates his team’s first goal with Benjamin Nygren during Celtic’s Scottish Premiership match against Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026. (Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Celtic equalized seven minutes later through Young, the South Korean’s fastest passer outside the box thanks to the grit and determination of Benjamin Nygren, who added another assist to his impressive first-season tally.
The game turned on its head as the game entered the final twenty minutes and Tomas Cvancara, just like last Sunday, held his nerve from the penalty spot and fired a hoop into the lead.
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This is a controversial incident, not the award itself but the fact that it took a VAR review to come to the correct conclusion is very controversial, especially when it happened in front of John Beaton’s eyes. The referee had the clearest view on the pitch, but he just couldn’t point to Celtic’s penalty spot.
Celtic’s Hyunjun Yang scored the first goal for the team in the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on 14 March 2026. (Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The referee had no choice but to point to the penalty spot after walking to the pitchside monitor and holding the offending Motherwell defender back, thus denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Afterwards, even Motherwell coach Jens Bethel Ascu admitted that the right decision was made in the end, awarding a penalty and reducing the squad to ten men.
Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou watches the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026. (Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
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There was only one winning goal after that but we still needed a vital two-goal cushion and we got help from the impressive Young who scored the second goal of the game to secure all three points.
Ultimately, despite some shaky moments, it was a crucial win for a cunning and well-organized Motherwell side.
Here are the game highlights…
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Time for some final ratings – Celtic vs Barcaville
Just an ordinary guy
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“Celtics in the Thirties” by Matt Cole. Click on the picture to order
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