Celtic players celebrate with goalscorer Arne EngelsSNS

Arne Engels' converted penalty gave Celtic the advantage just before half-time

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Celtic "didn't panic" despite a shaky start in their 4-0 Scottish Premiership victory over Motherwell, says manager Brendan Rodgers.

After drawing at Dundee United on Sunday, the league leaders took time to get going but the breakthrough came in first-half injury time when Aston Oxborough collided with Hyunjun Yang to give Celtic a penalty.

Arne Engels stepped up and slotted into the bottom-left corner, sending the Motherwell keeper the wrong way.

Celtic had enjoyed the better chances in the first half, most notably when Daizen Maeda's strike was blocked by Oxborough, and although the Motherwell goalkeeper almost sent the ball into his own net, he and his defence scrambled it clear.

"Motherwell were very organised and made it difficult for us in the first half," Rodgers said. "We had to improve, keep going and take the risk with the passes.

"In the second half we just needed to up the tempo and the players did that ever so well, pressed the game when we had to, and we looked really creative."

Celtic escaped an early second-half scare when Tony Watt turned his back on Tawanda Maswanhise's shot on Kasper Schmeichel's goalline and deflected it behind.

And the hosts struck again when Engels' corner was flicked on by Liam Scales and rocketed into the back of the net off the head of Daizen Maeda.

Nicolas Kuhn got the third when his low shot from just outside the box was deflected off Motherwell's Kofi Balmer and flashed into the far corner.

And Reo Hatate added the fourth with a similar strike as he fired low into the other corner beyond the stretching Oxborough.

"At this time in the season it's difficult to play in quick succession but I thought the players' focus in the game was very good," Rodgers added.

"They didn't panic and they got the rewards."

Celtic back with bang at Parkhead

The goalless draw at Dundee United last weekend left the Celtic fans frustrated.

Despite continuing their unbeaten run, many felt the reigning champions should have cruised past Jim Goodwin's promoted side.

For 45 minutes at Parkhead on Boxing Day, it looked like supporters may have been destined for more disappointment but Engels gave them a much-needed boost before the break.

Rodgers' men came out in the second half looking much more like their old selves and managed to put another three goals on the scoresheet.

Keeping their consistency is going to be key as Celtic attempt to navigate a busy run of Premiership games over the coming weeks, as they host St Johnstone before a trip to Ibrox in the new year, followed up by a visit from St Mirren.

Motherwell missing clinical edge

The scoreline probably doesn't reflect how competitive Motherwell were, certainly in the first half.

Despite being under the cosh for the majority of the first 45 minutes, Stuart Kettlewell's side held firm in defence and even managed to craft out some of their own opportunities.

Maswanhise looked threatening at times and, were it not for his own team-mate Watt, could have got the visitors back in the game.

But Motherwell slip to fifth after Dundee United's victory over St Johnstone, although they're only two points behind the Tangerines.

Next up though, a visit from the other half of the Old Firm as Rangers travel to Fir Park.

What they said

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "Motherwell were very organised and made it difficult for us in the first half.

"In the second half we just needed to up the tempo and the players did that ever so well, pressed the game when we had to, and we looked really creative."

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "I felt we were heading in at half-time having limited Celtic to very little and then the penalty is awarded, which is the frustration.

"You're starting to think you can go in, galvanise yourselves and try to pick yourselves up at half-time."

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