Celtic celebrated their triumphant return to Boxing Day football at Celtic Park with a commanding performance against Motherwell, winning 2-0 and extending their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
The game marked Celtic's first home fixture on Boxing Day since 2010, making it all the more special as they took to the pitch on December 26, 2023, at 15:00 UK time. Brendan Rodgers' men were determined to bounce back following their disappointing 0-0 draw against Dundee United just days prior. Entering the match, Celtic had not lost at home to Motherwell since 2015, boasting 32 undefeated encounters against the Steelmen, including 27 wins and five draws.
On the opposing side, Motherwell, managed by Stuart Kettlewell, arrived buoyed by their strong form, sitting fourth on the league table. They aimed to close the gap on third-placed Aberdeen and maintain their fine run of results.
Right from the kickoff, the atmosphere at Celtic Park was electric, with both teams vying for dominance early on. Both clubs had penalty claims, but it was Celtic who would find their breakthrough. After several near misses, Celtic was awarded a penalty, putting them firmly back on the route to victory.
Arne Engels stepped up and confidently converted the penalty, giving the hosts the first lead they needed. Shortly thereafter, Daizen Maeda doubled the advantage, heading home from close range after a well-delivered corner by Engels, showcasing Celtic's tactical prowess and height advantage.
Celtic's starting XI was formidable, featuring goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, noted for his previous successes, along with defenders Anthony Ralston, Liam Scales, and Cameron Carter-Vickers. The midfield was anchored by captain Callum McGregor, flanked by Engels and Paulo Bernardo. Yang, Maeda, and Adam Idah were chosen to lead the attacking threat, with promising performances expected.
Rodgers had made significant changes to the squad after his last disappointing outing, aiming to restore confidence and reinforce tactics suited to dismantling Motherwell's defensive setup. Options from the bench included established players like Kyogo and Reo Hatate, ready to step up if needed.
Overall, as supporters filled the stands, anticipation was high. Fans expressed their thoughts on social media, some optimistic about Yang's chance to shine, with one supporter commenting, "This is one of the final chances for Yang to prove himself and I hope he can." On the flip side, skepticism emerged about Rodgers’ choices, with comments like, "Aye ok, announce the correct lineup now thanks." This dialogue illustrated the passion and engagement of the Celtic fanbase.
With each passing minute, Celtic continued to dominate possession and pressured the Motherwell backline, who struggled to contain the relentless attacks. Despite some attempts from Motherwell to counter, the sheer quality of Celtic's side prevailed.
By the end of the match, the scoreboard reflected Celtic’s prowess, with the team temporarily extending its lead atop the Premiership table to nine points over second-placed Rangers. The victory cemented their impressive home run, now unbeaten at Celtic Park for the longest stretch since going through 33 matches undefeated from December 2005 to March 2007.
Celtic's resolute performance served as both statement and affirmation of their dominance over their rivals. With this victory against Motherwell, they now look forward to sustaining their lead throughout the league season as they continue to chase another championship title.
