Jota scores for CelticSNS

Jota's late goal was his first since the 2023 Scottish Cup final

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Fir Park

Jota scored on his Celtic return as the Scottish Premiership leaders recorded their 20th win of the campaign against Motherwell.

Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah looked to have made the difference at Fir Park, as Celtic passed up a number of chances to finish the contest.

But Jota sealed victory in his first game since signing from Rennes and retained the champions' 10-point lead at the top having played a game fewer than Rangers.

Motherwell were looking to put a week of turmoil behind them after manager Stuart Kettlewell had his resignation "reluctantly accepted" by the club.

And their start could hardly have been worse.

Within 49 seconds, they were behind having not touched the ball as Anthony Ralston crossed perfectly for Maeda to plant a header across Ellery Balcombe.

Motherwell steadied the ship, though, and found a route back to level.

Luke Armstrong, making his first start after joining on loan from Carlisle, finished well after Auston Trusty could only clear straight into the striker's path.

But Celtic struck back within six minutes with some slick play down the left key. Luke McCowan released Maeda and Idah slid in to firmly put his barren spell behind him with his 11th of the season and third goal in two games.

Maeda ought to have added a third on a couple of occasions, and Idah thought he had forced an own goal from Tom Sparrow after great work down the right, but VAR intervened to rule out the effort for offside.

Nicolas Kuhn was also denied by a flag after a spectacular overhead kick finish and Balcombe thwarted Idah, but Jota signed off his second debut with a late third from close range before wheeling off in gleeful celebrations.

Celtic keep ticking towards another title

With the points cushion they have, Celtic just have to keep ticking off the wins and captain Callum McGregor - who made his 500th appearance on Sunday - will surely be lifting his 10th Premiership trophy in May.

They started in the mood and were rewarded immediately. At that stage it seemed three points were a formality but chances repeatedly came and went.

The resurgence of Idah is timely indeed. His role in the late winner over Young Boys seemed to relieve a bit of pressure after a barren run.

His double, and general play, against Aston Villa in midweek were impressive and he was again here. He's starting to look the player that made such a difference on loan after arriving a year ago.

That moment from Jota will live long in the memory of those away fans. He just seems to thrive at Celtic.

The big question over the next day or so is will they manage to strengthen even further, with a striker and left back still likely on the radar given recent departures.

They host Dundee at home on Wednesday, then Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup, before that tantalising tie against Bayern Munich.

Motherwell scramble after turbulent week

The shock departure of their manager was far from ideal preparation but to lose a goal so fast, in the manner they did, was a real blow for Motherwell.

To their credit, they steadied for a spell and fought back to level. Armstrong worked tirelessly up top and his goal will be a big boost so early into his spell at Fir Park.

They did well to hang in and got away with any number of big moments. You need that kind of luck in games like this but it didn't materialise into anything tangible. Celtic seemed capable of striking at any moment.

Motherwell won't play again until 15 February when Ross County visit. That break will likely help them regroup and potentially sort out who will take charge.

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