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There was a post New Year subdued atmosphere at Celtic Park for this fixture but the team started off brightly enough seemingly able to cut through the Motherwell defence at will. A neat interchange between Larsson and Hartson saw big John lay on a perfect header for Larsson which he inexplicably headed straight at the keeper. Missed chances were to be the order of the day in a match where Celtic dominated and Motherwell didn't even pretend to attack. Henrik had another snap shot but put it well wide of the post. Hartson sent over a curling cross and it came off the face of the bar. When Hartson slid in from the right and cracked one of the post it looked as though it was going to be one of those days. Not long into the second half Thompson tested Woods from distance, but he held the powerful shot well. Another chance fell to Larsson inside the box but his attempt to place it was easily covered by the keeper. Then Joos took a knockdown from Hartson and turned and shot. The keeper dived to his right making a superb save and putting the ball out for a corner. The fans were calling for Lubo and he did come on in place of Petrov. He showed some nice touches down the right but in the five minutes following his appearance Celtic appeared unable to keep possession or create any chances. Lennon sorted that by collecting the ball in midfield and sending a high ball forward to Hartson. Larsson ran for the knock on with a defender in close attendance. He looked to have lost it and appeared to be falling over when he stuck out his right boot and angled the ball towards goal. The keeper had come out so the ball trundled past him into the net.Now Moravcik made his presence felt sending a series of defence splitting through balls. Larsson found himself in the box with only the keeper to beat but again he placed his shot and it was read by the keeper. A few minutes later, Moravcik found Larsson on the right and he advanced on the keeper. The fans half expected him to miss but instead he played a square ball to Hartson who drove it into the net. In the end three points but not a very satisfying victory. I think if we had scored one of the early chances we might have knocked in four or five. Anyway let's hope Henrik has got all his misses out of his system. A word about the referee. Thompson got booked for tripping a Motherwell attacker when it looked no more than a tangle of legs. Shortly afterwards a Motherwell player did a trip from behind and no action was taken. He did however correctly book a couple of Motherwell players for time-wasting. Man of the Match: John HartsonCELTIC (3-5-2): Douglas; Mjallby, Balde (Petta 74), Valgaeren; McNamara, Lennon, Lambert, Petrov (Moravcik 65), Thompson; Hartson, Larsson. MOTHERWELL (3-5-2): Woods; Strong, Ready, Deloumeaux; Corrigan, Soloy, Lasley (Elliot 86), Dow, Hammell; Kelly, McFadden Full report to follow |