Celtic won in front of 14,255 fans at Fir Park on this day in 1983 as Celtic went marching on to a fourth successive win in the Scottish Premier Division.
After dismantling Hibs, St Johnstone and Rangers in the opening three games of the season, Davie Hay’s men looked to complete a fourth victory with a win against the ‘Well.
Celtic had beaten Danish side AGF Aarhus 1-0 at Celtic Park just days before, and certainly had the wind behind them – which was typified by Frank McGarvey’s fifth-minute opener.
Paul McStay raced down the right-hand side relatively unmarked, and his cross found McGarvey after evading Motherwell keeper Nicky Walker – who duly trickled the ball home to continue Celtic’s brilliant run of form.
A tense hour or so followed the game, with Motherwell keeping the Hoops’ at bay as they looked to record a fourth straight victory.
And with just fifteen minutes left, Celtic finally wrapped the game up.
A neat Celtic move found McStay on the left hand side, and a neat one-two with Burns gave the winger a chance to bury the ball across the keeper, which he did with aplomb.
And the lead was added to ust five minutes later after a route-one ball wasn’t dealt with; as Burns took advantage to send Celts home happy.
17th September 1983, Motherwell 0:3 Celtic.
McGarvey, McStay and Burns. pic.twitter.com/fwUbaBmEUz
— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) September 16, 2021
Celtic would however go on to relinquish the league – a run of just five wins in 11 matches over the Christmas period saw Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen win the title.
And with Aberdeen beating Celtic in the Scottish Cup final alongside a defeat to Rangers in the League Cup final, it marked a dour season for Hay’s men.
The team that day was: Bonner, McGrain, Whittaker, Aitken, McAdam, MacLeod, Provan, McStay, McGarvey. Burns, McClair.
