Celts Sight Success v Steelmen

Celts Sight Success v Steelmen
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


December: Daizen Maeda powers a header to score in the 4-0 win when these sides last met


Fir Park, Motherwell
Sunday, 2 February 2025
15.00 GMT

Celtic return to the bread and butter of Premiership football this weekend, when they make the short journey south across Lanarkshire, to take on Motherwell.

The Bhoys will be looking to bounce back after the brave but ultimately unsuccessful trip down south against Aston Villa in the Champions League, and knowing that they will be faced with the prospect of German powerhouse, Bayern Munich in the next phase.

But for now, attention is turned back to matters domestic, as Celtic look to secure a 4th successive League crown, and currently sit with a 10 point gap (plus a game in hand) over their nearest rivals.

The Hoops have an outstanding record against Motherwell; indeed, it was 2015 the last time that the Steelmen got the better of this matchup, while Neil Lennon was the last Celtic manager to lose at Fir Park - and that was during his first stint in charge in 2013!

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Paulo Bernardo in action during the 4-0 win against Motherwell on Boxing Day​

As for Motherwell, they have been in reasonable form overall this season and go into this weekend sitting in 5th place on the table and reached the League Cup Semi-Final.

This was not enough for some however, whose attacks prompted former manager Stuart Kettlewell to resign from his position just a few days ago.

It has come as a bit of a shock to many, but the hosts have announced that they have recvieved 100's of applications to take over at the helm, but the Lanarkshire club are unlikely to name a successor until after this weekend's visit by Celtic at the earliest.

It does though throw up an interesting question for caretaker, Stevie Frail, as Kettlewell's assistant has been charged with the responsibility for this match, of how to prepare the team, In short, what to expect something different from how the Steelmen have lined up previously?


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Cameron Carter-Vickers is set to return having missed the match against Villa in midweek



By the Numbers​

• The Hoops have been undefeated in the past 30 meetings (W25 D5) against Motherwell since December 2015.

• Celtic are undefeated away at Fir Park since April 2013, including winning the last 10 straight visits (9LG 1LC).

• Motherwell have lost just once this season in League games in which they have scored first (W8 D2 L1).

• The Steelmen have scored 16 league goals in total at home this season - but only 3 of which have come after halftime.

Team News

Brendan Rodgers will be able to call upon Daizen Maeda again, after the Japanese International was missing in midweek through suspension. Elsewhere, Jota could could make his first appearance since returning to the club and Cameron Carter-Vickers should be available, while James Forrest is closing on a return, but will not yet.

As for the hosts, they are without a slew of players, including captain Paul McGinn (thigh) who is now likely to miss the rest of the season, highly rated teenager Lennon Miller *(ankle), Australian International Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (strain), as well as Ross Callachan (hamstring), Zack Robinson (achilles) and Steve Seddon (ankle), while there is also a doubt about Aston Oxborough and Andy Halliday also.

Jack Vale, however, is once again available following a recent suspension.



Referee: Calum Scott

This will be the third time that Scott will have officiated a match involving Celtic, all three have been this season. First was September's 5-2 League Cup victory against Falkirk, while the only previous Premiership game was the 5-0 win against Ross County, back in November.

Celtic's 0verall Record
M2 W2 D0 L0

VAR: John Beaton



~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 304 W: 185 D: 68 L: 51​

Last 5 Meetings
W W W D W

~~~~ 2023/24 Form ~~~~ ​

Overall
L W W D W ~ L L L D W

SPFL
D W W W L ~ L L D W L​