Celtic made the best possible sign off for Spain with an emphatic win over Stuart McCall’s Motherwell at Celtic Park. A brace from man of the match James Forrest either side of half time, a delightful Joe Ledley goal and as always, a superb long range effort from the laces of Ki, dented the Lanarkshire clubs meek resistance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRO4QIEPlIw&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Celtic lined up with Mulgrew at center back at the cost of haphazard Dan and this meant new bhoy El Kaddouri was able to showcase his talents, of which their were many, down the left flank. Welsh youngster Adam Mathhews was also menacing down the right and going forward was a torment to the Well defence along.with his right sided partner in crime Forrest.
The young Scot was played in beautifully by Stokes for his first within the first ten and a neat move involving the aforementioned two set up Joe Ledley to calmly slot home from inside the box before half time. Celtic were in control and rampant within those first fourty-five and the play and guile must have delighted Neil Lennon prior to next weeks crunch at the Poundstretcher stadium.
The second half began like the first but with Motherwell showing a bit more ambition in their play, their possession was let down by poor final balls or met with a solid bhoys backline. The hoops got control of the ball again and started spraying the ball about the park and working some great combinations in and around the box. On 67 the game went beyond McCall’s men (if it hadn’t already) when the South Korean Ki, smashed a rasping drive into Randalph’s net with the outside of his leather. Time for one more and the pace and direct running of young Forrest devestated Tam Cowan’s beloved again as he ran at the heart of the defence before clipping a shot past the keeper with the ball taking a slight deflection on the way in.
Strength in depth is something the brothers of William do not have in their armour, but Lennon had Commons, Wanyama and new bhoy Bangura to bring into the fray in the closing stages. This could prove vital not only next Sunday, but during the season as Europa League exertions take their toll. To the cauldron on Thursday of the Calderon, can Celtic take their second chance with both hands and get a positive result in Spain? I think they should feel grateful that they have been given a great opportunity after what was two very abysmal performances against the Swiss court hookers, and play with the confidence which was on display today.
