NafisaChris Sutton captured the sheer chaos of Celtic’s dramatic victory over Motherwell perfectly after Martin O’Neill’s side somehow managed to leave Fir Park with all three points.
For large parts of the contest, Celtic looked well below their best.
Motherwell applied more pressure, competed harder for loose balls and caused constant issues whenever Celtic attempted to play out from the back. The hosts fully deserved their first-half opener through Elliot Watt and even after Daizen Maeda brought Celtic level before half-time, the visitors still never appeared entirely at ease.
Benjamin Nygren’s brilliant effort early in the second half looked as though it could finally calm things down.
Instead, Fir Park descended into madness again after Liam Gordon grabbed a late equaliser. Celtic immediately began to look tense, their passing became hurried and Motherwell sensed a massive twist in the title race was there for the taking.
Then came the stoppage-time drama.
Auston Trusty earned the crucial penalty following heavy pressure inside the area and Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up with the entire title race resting on his shoulders. The forward kept his composure brilliantly and fired the spot-kick low into the corner to seal a huge 3-2 win for Celtic.
That goal completely changes the landscape heading into Saturday.
Rather than trying to overturn goal difference from behind, Celtic now head into the final league fixture of the campaign knowing victory over Hearts at Celtic Park would secure the title. Hearts remain one point ahead after their convincing 3-0 win against Falkirk, but all the pressure now shifts towards one final showdown in Glasgow.
Sutton watched every moment unfold live during commentary before reacting online after the final whistle.
There was real honesty in Sutton’s response because Celtic were nowhere near convincing for significant periods of the match.
Motherwell repeatedly exposed spaces at the back, especially whenever transitions opened up through midfield. Celtic struggled badly during the opening half hour whenever the game became scrappy and physical.
However, this Celtic side are beginning to produce big moments again.
Maeda continues to deliver massive goals. Nygren produced one of the finishes of the season under huge pressure. Iheanacho showed composure that many had questioned at different stages since his arrival.
Everything now comes down to Celtic Park.
After weeks where the championship looked out of reach, Celtic suddenly have the opportunity to win it themselves in front of their own supporters on Saturday afternoon.
Nafisa
