Despite the final result we looked as though a valuable point might still be in reach after a hour’s play. Neither team looked worthy of the win at that stage and our goal attempts had matched those of the visitors.
McCall made three changes from our last outing. Page and Lasley were suspended and Ojamaa was benched. Hutchinson, Jennings and Daley were the replacements.
In an uninspiring first half neither team was able to dominate. Possession was surrendered too easily and there were few moments to get the crowd of 8,760 excited. Brozek should have done better in the first minute but his header was high and it took Motherwell twelve minutes to be seen as an attacking force when a corner was the reward. Clancy and Carswell looked nervous and few of their team mates showed composure when they had the ball. Humphrey produced a couple of cracking efforts that raised the spirits but Zaluska was up to the task.
As the first period ended Celtic had the upper hand. A fine volley from Commons tested Randolph and we were happy to regroup at the break.
While a scrappy 0-0 would have suited us the manager made the expected switch of Daley for Ojamaa on the hour. The new man, sporting and outrageous haircut, was on the park for a only a couple of minutes before the Celtic substitute Watt scored with a well struck volley at the far post. Before we had time to come to terms with the loss he struck again – this time from the right side of the box.
Murphy replaced Carswell as we went for broke and we made a few forays towards the Cooper end goal to make a game of it but without testing their keeper.
The contest was snuffed out with Cha’s late goal and a disappointed home support tramped home hoping that we can find a more spirited showing against St Johnstone next week.