Celtic extended their lead at the top of the SPL to 10 points with this victory at Fir Park.

The big news before the game was that Roy Keane had picked up an injury in training. A new central-pairing of Stan Varga and Adam virgo was given the job of tying to shore up the Celtic defence. With the return of Mo Camara at left-back in place of Ross Wallace the defence had a new look to it. Given the fact that Varga had not made an appearance since the days of Bratislava and a 4-4 draw (also at Fir Park) and Virgo had yet to start for the first team in his preferred position there was understandable concern about how this back line would perform.

Camara almost immediately justified his inclusion in the team with a goal line clearance in the 2nd minute from a corner kick. This was the signal for the usual hectic start against a team that has proved to be more than a thorn in Celtic's side in recent times.

Celtic were mixing their style of play up a little. Crisp passing, long balls and quick on the counter. Celtic were trying a little of bit of everything in this game but Motherwell were working hard and closing Celtic down as quickly as possible.

Nakamura was causing problems for the home team with his deliveries from set-pieces but when Celtic's opener came, it did so from a long ball out of defence. Camara found Maloney wide on the right. His cushioned header was taken by Petrov who then played a lovely through ball to Zurawski. He ran the ball into the penalty box and managed to slot it away into the far corner - under severe pressure from a 'Well defender.

Shaun Maloney then went close with a free-kick that curled just past the post but the keeper probably had it covered.

The game was fairly lively with a number of good contests going on all over the park. One of the most interesting saw Motherwell's McBride and notorious football hard-man Nakamura having a pop at each other on several occasions. Given his reputation, Nakamura was probably lucky to stay on the park(?!).

When Motherwell's equaliser came there could be no complaints from the Celtic defence. This goal will surely be up there for a Goal of the Season award. Hamilton meeting a Brian Kerr cross (that was slightly behind him) full on the volley just outside the area. It flew past Boruc but in truth he had no
chance. Hamilton celebrated like a man who knew he had scored probably the jammiest goal of his life. Well done (no pun intended).:-)

The second half was fairly stale for the first twenty minutes or so. The ref was trying to let the game flow - which in my mind meant he was letting the home side away with a lot of challenges that many would have saw as free-kicks. Hartson in particular got nothing from the ref as he pushed time and again in the back trying to win a header.

Nakamura was brought off in the 60th minute and replaced by McGeady. It was the young lad who would change the course of this game. He took time to settle into the game but exploded into life shortly after the 70th minute.Picking up the ball he ran towards the centre of Motherwell's defence but deciding there was no pass on he hit one for himself. It took a slight deflection but it was enough
to see the ball hitting the back of the net. After the game he apparently told Strachan that it was lucky. The response from WGS was 'luck is when preparation meets oppurtunity'. I wonder if he had his fingers crossed when he came out with that one.

Celtic being Celtic decided to be generous to their opponents once again and it was that man McDonald who nearly got Motherwell back into the game with a header that flashed just past the post.

Thankfully though McGeady helped put the game beyond any doubt when he set up the third goal. Skipping past two challenges (i.e. Motherwell defenders trying to cut  him in two) he raced to the bye-line and cut the ball back to Hartson who stuck it away neatly for Celtic's third.

Game over and job done. A game that perhaps lacked the drama of the last few Celtic matches - and thank God for that says I.

Ratings

Boruc - 7 : After his little moment last week against Kilmarnock he was back to his best today. Quick off his line and took everything cleanly.
Telfer - 6 : Got done for pace and struggled with passes inside him today. Countered this with some good challenges in dangerous positions. Wilson must fancy his chances making the right-back position his sooner rather than later.
Varga - 6 : Missed a few headers today and looked slightly nervous at times. Would need another couple of games to get his match fitness back but given the number of players ahead of him in the pecking order these days its hard to see him getting a chance.
Virgo - 8 : An absolute rock at the back. Good in the air, he also showed he can use the ball well (it was his pass that st up McGeady for the second goal) and some of his challenges could be described as 'meaty but fair'.
Camara - 6 : Must have been under instructions not to get forward today as he rarely ventured beyond the midfield. Never in trouble.
Nakamura - 6 : Some great deliveries from set-pieces but muscled out of things easily once again. Strachan admitted that he hadn't been well before the game. Still showed some nice touches and passes.
Lennon - 6 : Slightly out of sorts in the first half had a much better second.
Petrov - 6 : Still not back to his best.
Maloney - 7 : Once again, our best attacking threat until McGeady came on and done the same thing on the other wing.
Hartson - 7 : Obviously Strachan's fitness regime is paying off for the big man as he worked hard once again. Alright there are no dashing runs but given the ball he was always looking to bring people into the game.
Magic - 7 : Still short of match practice but his running off the ball and some of his cross-field passing was superb.

Subs

McGeady 7 : Turned the game. His set-up play for Harton's goal was wonderful to watch.
Pearson 6 : Replaced Magic in the 74th minute and went straight into the middle. Helped break-up the Motherwell attacks nicely.

Man of the Match: Virgo. Deserves to start the next game at least on this performance. 

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