The first half must be one of the most toothless Celtic have produced this season as Michael Fraser only had one direct shot to deal with when McGeady cut inside and lofted the ball into his arms. At the other end we carved out a couple of great opportunities, the first when Murphy shot down the throat of Zaluska and the Polish ‘keeper rushed out quickly to deny Jutkiewicz when a goal looked likely.
Both of our chances had been created by fine passing moves with Coke a big influence in the middle of the park as he replaced Lasley after only ten minutes. Craig Brown pointed out that our small squad is being tested and Craigan going off injured in the second half may have been a decisive blow.
Reynolds gives us the lead...for a couple of minutes!
After the break the dream seemed to be on when Reynolds found the empty net after a free kick bobbled round the box but we conceded only two minutes later when Thompson converted a corner. Keane missed a one on one in a break – after we took a disastrous short corner – but it was Motherwell who were more likely to find the winning goal. Brilliant work by O’Brien produced a cross to the back post which Sutton headed at Zaluska before being crowded out as he went for the rebound. Hateley struck a free kick high over the bar and we paid a high price for not scoring when on top as Thompson headed in a corner with Fraser looking uncertain.
Celtic generally killed the game well in the last ten minutes but we did make one great chance to level only for Murphy to poke straight at Zaluska when given a sight of goal. We can be pleased at our positive reaction to the Falkirk loss but this was another defeat – our third in a row – and we desperately need to beat Dundee United on Sunday to get our European bid back on track.