After waiting fourteen years to stage a match on Boxing Day, Celtic took a little longer to demonstrate the benefits of staying at home at this time of year.
For 44 minutes, Brendan Rodgers’ side looked lethargic and without inspiration. Another long battle, like the one they endured in Tannadice on Sunday, was on the agenda.
But by the time the pies were consumed at halftime, the benefits of the club’s summer splurge were clear.
A cross from Paulo Bernardo led to a penalty that Arne Engels converted with aplomb.
Celtic were rarely in danger after that. As Rodgers piled on the substitutes, his players piled on the goals. Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn and Reo Hatate joined in a short time.
A test afternoon turned out to be an extremely comfortable afternoon. Suggestions that Celtic’s efforts on Tayside last time were indicative of a wider malaise were dismissed.
Arne Engels celebrates scoring the all-important opener from the penalty spot
Engels scores the penalty for Celtic just before the break
Rodgers was happy to see his team winning again after a goalless draw against Dundee United
With the end of the year approaching, it seems unlikely that Rodgers’ side will endure the kind of disaster that Rangers will need if they are to snatch the title from their grasp.
They have dropped just four points in seventeen Premiership matches. Eight points better off than last season at this point, the year-on-year improvement is clear.
Even if they weren’t at their best, because they were here for a while. they invariably find a way to get the job done.
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell took offense at the ‘soft’ nature of the penalty, which saw Hyun-jun Yang go down under Aston Oxborough’s challenge. However, other than that, the visitors had no complaints.
They broke down in the second period, the commendable level of concentration they had shown in the first half long gone.
It won’t be easy to flush this out of their system before Rangers come to Fir Park on Sunday.
Kyogo Furuhashi’s poor performance at Tannadice saw him relegated to the bench, while Adam Idah made a start. Neither Auston Trusty nor Kuhn were deemed fit enough to start, although both were held in reserve.
Kettlewell couldn’t have asked more of his players for long enough. Compact, organized and sharp they withstood Celtic to very few in terms of golden opportunities.
Daizen Maeda’s diving header gives Celtic a two-nil lead against Motherwell
The Japanese winger is congratulated by his teammate Yang
Substitute Nicolas Kuhn shook off his recent injury scare and made it 3-0
The German’s efforts are praised by Maeda (left) and Kyogo Furuhashi (right).
On one flank, Maeda received little change from Marvin Kaleta. On the other side, Yang toiled against Ewan Wilson.
On the rare occasion that one of the Celtic wingers got away from their man, their deliveries left a lot to be desired.
A lapse of concentration on Yang’s other side when the match was decided could have been costly. Tawanda Maswanhise took advantage of his stumble, but his theatrical action in the penalty area cost him a yellow card.
Callum McGregor’s attempt to break the deadlock ended when his shot from 20 yards was deflected and hacked clear.
It would become the theme of the home side’s first 44 minutes. A lack of inspiration. Full of frustration.
Motherwell’s impressive organization had a lot to do with that. There was also the desire of Rodgers’ players to do something extra when it was not always necessary.
Greg Taylor’s risky cross-field pass was cleared by Maswanhise. The Zimbabwean advanced and played Tom Sparrow with a back heel. Cameron Carter-Vickers’ intervention meant Motherwell only earned a corner.
Lennon Miller’s slip as Celtic tried to counter succeeded in taking out teammate Harry Paton.
Reo Hatate completed the score for the champion with a beautiful goal
Hatate celebrates by making it 4-0 with teammates Ralston and McCowan
Idah quickly went ahead and fed Maeda. The winger’s shot was punched high into the air by Oxborough. Wilson was brave and alert to hit the ball away from his own goal line.
Idah failed to find the target with a strike from the edge of the box while off balance, then fired into the arms of Oxborough on the only occasion Maeda found him with a cross.
Yang lost Wilson for the first time and found that the player had recovered in time to prevent his shot from finding the target.
Motherwell were close to a much-appreciated and deserved blank score at halftime, but unfortunately not quite close enough.
Just as Kettlewell’s thoughts were about to turn to his team talk during the break, everything changed.
Bernardo’s cross appeared to be repelled by the visiting defense until a deflection kept it upright.
Already committed, Oxborough found he had work to do to beat Yang to the ball. The South Korean’s pace allowed him to win the foot race.
Referee Ross Hardie immediately pointed to the spot. The VAR checked the movements, but it was clear that the goalkeeper had made a mistake.
Engels changed his routine by pinging the ball low to the keeper’s right from twelve yards, but maintained his perfect record from the spot for Celtic.
After putting so much into the game, you felt Motherwell had to capitalize on the next big moment that came their way when they resurfaced. Miller’s corner was answered by a powerful header from Kaleta. Of all people, his teammate Tony Watt accidentally blocked the shot on the line.
Kettlewell is said to have feared what happened next. Engel’s corner from Celtic’s left had pace and accuracy. Liam Scales stood up and helped him along. Maeda’s diving header put Celtic within three points.
Rodgers brought in Furuhashi, Kuhn and Hatate, then Luke McCowan and Alex Valle. It was the last thing Motherwell’s tired legs needed.
Kuhn put the matter beyond all doubt with a strike from the edge of the penalty area, which hit an ankle on its way to the bottom left corner.
Hatate completed the scoring in similar fashion with nine minutes remaining, his right foot hitting a boot as it beat Oxborough to his left.
After struggling to break through, Celtic’s quality took them to a victory that was ultimately comfortable.