Hoops at Home for 'Well Visit

Hoops Host 'Well Visit
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Cameron Carter-Vickers in action against Motherwell last season


Celtic Park, Glasgow
Saturday, 25 November 2023
15.00 GMT

The Hoops return to Premiership action after the International break, when they welcome the visit of 8th placed Motherwell on Saturday afternoon, as they look to extend the gap at the top of the table to 11 points.

And Brendan Rodgers will want to have his team quickly rediscover the sort of form that they displayed when dispatching Aberdeen to the tune of 6-0 just before the break.

This will be crucial for the Hoops to immediately get straight back into the groove for what is a tricky run through December, with games coming thick and fast as they face the gauntlet of 11 games in 39 days, with no respite until after the turn of the year.


Luis Palma scored his first Celtic goal against Motherwell in September​

It has been a tough run for the Steelmen, who had started the season so well. Manager Stuart Kettlewell will have been busy during the break with the majority of his squad as they look to snap a run of results.

Despite some commendable performances, football is a results business and the fact is the Steelmen have not won any of their last 9 Premiership games, having picked up just 2 points during that run since the beginning of September.

Despite this run, which has them sitting just 2 points clear of the drop zone, the Lanarkshire side have given the Bhoys a run for their money in the last couple of meetings between these sides.

After 14 straight wins in this fixture, the Hoops dropped points in the 1-1 draw, towards the tail end of last season. Then in September when they met at Fir Park, the game seemed destined to be the dullest of dull 0-0 draws until Luis Palma came off the bench to spark what was a stunning, chaotic climax, ultimately resulting in a 2-1 win with Matt O'Riley's winner coming with the proverbial last touch of the game.

Celtic will naturally be confident coming into this game given the overall track record in this fixture and the Bhoys home record overall, but none the less cannot afford to be anything less than fully switched on and focused.

Not simply for this game alone, but every bit as importantly to maintain their form and momentum ahead of the trip to Rome in midweek in the Champions League, and the relentless December fixture list that follows.​

By the Numbers​

• The Bhoys are on a 50 games undefeated streak at home against all Scottish opposition, which dates back to January 2021.

• The Hoops have been undefeated by Motherwell since December 2015.

• Motherwell are currently on a horrible run of 9 consecutive Premiership games without a win.

• The visitors have managed just the one win away from Fir Park so far this campaign.

Oh Hyeon-Gyu scored twice in the 6-0 win over Aberdeen before the International break

Team News

The Bhoys will continue to be without Daizen Maeda (knee), Reo Hatate (hamstring), Stephen Welsh (ankle) and Liel Abada (thigh). The growing list of injury concerns could also be deepened, depending on Kyogo Furuhashi's availability, after he suffered a head injury against Aberdeen and as a result missed joining up with the Japan NT.

There are also doubts over the readiness of Luis Palma and Alistair Johnston, as it has been confirmed that the pair are not due to arrive back in Glasgow until Friday.

As for Stuart Kettlewell's side, all three of their players who were away on International duty have reportedly returned back without any injury concerns, meaning that Bevis Mugabi, Brodie Spwncer and Liam Kelly will all be available for selection.

The visitors will however, will continue to be without Papa Souare (ankle) and Lennon Miller (knee), while Paul McGinn's fractured cheek could continue to rule him out also.

Referee: Steven McLean

This weekend will be McLean's 240th career Premiership game since making his debut in May 2010, and his first time in charge of a match involving Celtic this season.

Celtic's 0verall Record
M38 W30 D3 L5

VAR: David Dickenson



~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 300 W: 182 D: 67 L: 51​

Last 5 Meetings
W D W W W

~~~~ 2022/23 Form ~~~~ ​

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

SPFL
W W W D W ~ L D L L D​