Motherwell v Celtic Preview – Anything other than a win doesn’t bear thinking about

Celtic head to Fir Park tomorrow morning to face a resurgent Motherwell side. It’s a game Celtic simply have to win and it is no easy place to go. Motherwell began the season with five defeats and one draw. However, Stephen Robinson’s side have come through their sticky spell in style by winning four from five of their last Premiership fixtures.

Since the sides last met at Celtic Park in August, a game Celtic emerged victorious by three goals to nil, Motherwell, a side without their own pressures to seek, have returned to some semblance of the form that saw them one of the best performing and entertaining teams in Scottish football last season.

Much like Celtic inconsistency had plagued their season until recently but now there appears a settled and confident look to Stephen Robinson’s side, something Celtic will be looking to disrupt.

That said Motherwell have yet to defeat Celtic in their last 18 attempts, whilst Celtic on the road appear a different animal in comparison to home form this season, having yet to taste defeat in our last 16 fixtures away from home. Indeed, when Celtic have tasted defeat this season it’s always been after conceding the first goal, as such drawing first blood at Fir Park is imperative.

Since the side’s last met 

Since that chastening defeat at Celtic Park Motherwell have defeated St Johnstone 1-0 at Fir Park, Coleraine in the Europa League qualifiers and went to Pittodrie and thumped Aberdeen 3-0.

There then came back-to-back defeats. First in Israel as they exited the Europa League, following a 3-0 reverse against Hapoel Beer-Sheva, then at home to theRangers the European exertions, alongside questionable refereeing decisions, impacted the ‘Well as they lost 5-1 to Steven Gerrard’s men. But back on an even keel since, the Steelmen have defeated Ross County 4-0 at home and had an impressive 2-0 win on Livingston’s plastic pitch. Celtic then will face an opposition brimming with confidence.

Recent formations 

In terms of formation Motherwell have been adaptable flitting between a 5-3-2 and 3-5-2 formation as well as playing a 4-4-2 in their 3-0 win at Pittodrie, and in their last two wins against County and Livingston they have adopted a 4-3-3 approac

Last time out at Celtic Park they managed to contain a Celtic side by adopting a 5-3-2 but changed when Celtic turned the screw and went to four at the back – a move that backfired. It’s not an easy call to say how Robinson’s side will play, but when they expect to have to surrender possession they usually play five at the back, as they did against Beer-Sheva, or flood the midfield with a 3-5-2 as they did against theRangers. It would be surprise if, at least from the start, a similar approach isn’t adopted by Stephen Robinson on Sunday.

One to Watch 

Regularly derided but immensely talented Tony Watt is Motherwell’s player of the month and has the added factor of facing his former club on Sunday. Celtic’s 2012 Barca hero seems to have settled well now back closer to home in North Lanarkshire.

He has a return of two goals and two assists in the league this season, in a team that appear to spread the goalscoring responsibilities around the side, he remains the focal point of the ‘Well attack. Midfielder Alan Campbell is also an aggressive ball winning midfielder but one not without composure and class on the ball. His energy is something Celtic will have to match in Central midfield.

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One to target 

Celtic will be looking to add some speed to their starting line-up as there is a distinct lack of pace in the Motherwell rear-guard with a focus on strong ball winning defenders. But their weak link this weekend will be between the sticks. Number one ‘keeper and former Celtic target Trevor Carson is injured as is former Celt Scott Fox. Aaron Chapman played last time out and managed to keep a clean sheet, but if Carson isn’t fit enough to return and Motherwell are fielding a third-choice keeper, there is clearly an opportunity to test his quality and no excuse not to put him to work.

A hard-fought win 

We’ll touch on Celtic in more detail later on today, but this is a game the Celts cannot afford not to win.

Thursday night’s embarrassing Europe league defeat will have impacted on confidence and Neil Lennon will know a defeat on Sunday will lead to a level of scrutiny beyond what he has had to endure so far.

This game is down to how the team react. While three points by hook or by crook is simply essential, an inspiring performance and a comfortable win would go some way to calming the atmosphere around the club, if not it could be a long and uncomfortable International fortnight for the players and the manager in particular.

When it comes to the push for a tenth successive title Celtic have no room for error at Fir Park this week, anything other than three points will leave huge question marks around Celtic’s ability to win the title this season, for Neil Lennon he’ll be perfectly aware of what the consequences of defeat could be.

Celtic however have a good record against the Fir Park side and up to Thursday night there were signs Celtic were getting back on track. If it was simply a case of two steps forward and the blip of one step back, we’ll know by the players reaction at 12 o’clock on Sunday. I expect a reaction and a hard fought for but essential three points to head back to Celtic Park. Anything else doesn’t bear thinking about.

Niall J

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About Author

As a Bellshill Bhoy I was taken to my first Celtic game in the summer of 1987. It was Billy McNeill’s return to Celtic Park as manager and Celtic lost 5-1 to Arsenal . I thought I was a jinx, I think my Grandfather might have thought the same. It was the finest gift anyone ever gave me when he walked me through Parkhead's gates.

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