Benjamin NygrenSNS

Celtic substitute Benjamin Nygren netted the equaliser after Motherwell were caught playing out from the back

At a glance

  • Stoppage-time Maeda winner gets Celtic back to winning ways in five-goal thriller

  • Iheanacho penalty gives hosts lead before Stamatelopoulos' leveller and spot-kick puts bold Motherwell ahead

  • But visitors gift Nygren equaliser and late Maeda header ends away side's unbeaten start under Askou

  • Rodgers' men stay second and are two points behind leaders Hearts

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter at Celtic Park

Daizen Maeda's injury-time header earned Celtic a thrilling victory after being pushed to the limit by a Motherwell side who had looked value to extend their unbeaten Scottish Premiership start.

Maeda met substitute Michel-Ange Balikwisha's cross from close range to send an anxious home crowd into delirious delight.

Jens Berthel-Askou's side will rue the opportunity they missed having led as they sought a first win at Celtic Park in over a decade.

Brendan Rodgers was seeking solutions to Celtic's scoring problems and, despite creating one or two strong openings, the hosts were handed their opener from the penalty spot when Callum McGregor's strike from the edge of the area struck Regan Charles-Cook's arm. Kelechi Iheanacho coolly netted.

Celtic were architects of Motherwell's equaliser as Anthony Ralson needlessly gave the ball away. It was switched to Tawanda Maswanhise, whose perfect low cross was gleefully met by Apostolos Stamatelopoulos to level.

The home side looked ragged at that stage. It got worse as Motherwell secured a dream lead.

Marcelo Saracchi seemed to have averted danger inside his own box but had, in fact, caught Maswanhise and the penalty was awarded after VAR intervention.

Australian striker Stamatelopoulos slammed home his second to send the away support wild.

Celtic struggled to break through in response but were gifted an equaliser. The visitors tried to play out from a dangerous area, goalkeeper Calum Ward played it straight to Benjamin Nygren and he couldn't miss.

As Celtic pushed on, the winner seemed beyond them. It arrived from last season's prolific goalscorer to break Motherwell's hearts and, perhaps, give a platform for the home side to kick on from.

Analysis: Sheer will carries Celtic through as needless error costs Motherwell

The outcome was much needed for Celtic and the change in the crowd come full-time was quite staggering.

Their manager cited a need for increased intensity and initially there was some but it dipped in a way that is becoming familiar.

That they found a route to three points is to their credit. Clearly, there is work to be done on improving performances and carrying threat.

There are often moments in seasons when something clicks. Celtic will hope this win, and the nature of it, will prove to be the start of moving past recent negativity and looking more like the team most people expect.

Maeda was the hero but looked a shell of himself for long spells. This dramatic win might prove a turning point. Sheer will went a long way.

In contrast, Motherwell seem to be on to something under Jens Berthel-Askou's leadership but questions will follow at the concession of Celtic's leveller.

Having done so well for so long to establish their lead, they threw it away needlessly. A case of what might have been but the visitors deserve huge credit for their overall performance.

They didn't look inferior for long spells, albeit they were increasingly pushed back. It's a sore one but one they can draw real positives from with some lessons to be learned.

What they said

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "Clearly it's a very important win for us. The players showed an unbelievable amount of heart.

"Playing against a Motherwell team who are unbeaten, you can see why and see how they scored three at Hearts and two here.

"But we showed a real strong mentality and real competitive grit. Even though we're not at our levels we've shown in the past, you still have to win."

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou: "I'm gutted on the players' and fans' behalf. I'm extremely proud of our performances, not just today but the first part of the season.

"I can't praise our players enough. We gave ourselves the opportunity to win, which not many teams do here. I know we'll grow over the next period.

"I'm not asking them to give the ball to the opposition inside the box, but no matter which style you prefer there will be ball losses."

What's next?

The international break gives both sides the best part of a fortnight to take stock and regroup.

Celtic return to Premiership action on Sunday 19 October (12:00 BST) with a visit to face Dundee.

Motherwell host Falkirk the previous day (15:00).

Player of the match

A. Stamatelopoulos
7.22
38 D. Maeda
6.78
8 B. Nygren
6.39
17 K. Ịheanachọ
6.17
23 S. Tounekti
6.00
27 A. Engels
6.00
20 C. Carter-Vickers
5.89
5 L. Scales
5.84
10 M. Balikwisha
5.78
63 K. Tierney
5.68
49 J. Forrest
5.44
36 M. Saracchi
5.40
42 C. McGregor
5.33
41 R. Hatate
5.33
1 K. Schmeichel
5.24
56 A. Ralston
5.06
14 L. McCowan
5.06
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