Jota makes goalscoring return as Celtic beat managerless Motherwell
Jota capped his return to the Celtic team with a goal in the closing seconds as Brendan Rodgers’ side won 3-1 at Motherwell.
Rodgers had cautioned that the สนใจสมัคร? คลิกที่นี่เพื่อเริ่มต้น Portuguese winger would need time to build up his strength and fitness after returning to the club from Rennes on Monday.
But Jota looked bright after coming on as a 65th-minute substitute and turned home Daizen Maeda’s unselfish low cross from six yards.
Celtic never looked back after Adam Idah netted from close range in the 29th minute after ending a 14-game goal drought with a midweek double against Aston Villa.
Luke Armstrong, one of four players making their home debuts, had earlier cancelled out Maeda’s first-minute opener.
But Celtic, led by captain Callum McGregor on his 500th appearance for the club, were utterly dominant in the second half.
Motherwell had experienced a bruising week with the players having to cope with the shock resignation of manager Stuart Kettlewell and a number of fans unhappy with the way the club cited “personal abuse” from supporters as the reason.
Caretaker manager Stephen Frail was the man tasked with what he termed trying to get the “connectivity” back at the club but there was another blow 49 seconds into the game.
Maeda got in behind Marvin Kaleta and cut the ball across the face of goal before repositioning himself to head home Anthony Ralston’s cross after rising above the wing-back.
The Steelmen were back level midway through the half when two players making their first starts combined.
Dom Thompson’s cross bounced off Auston Trusty and Armstrong finished first time. Cameron Carter-Vickers claimed the on-loan Carlisle player had pushed him in the back as the cross came in but there was no VAR review.
However, Celtic were back ahead six minutes later. Luke McCowan’s first-time pass got Maeda in behind Kaleta and Idah knocked home the Japan winger’s low cross. Kaleta would soon go off with an injury.