Motherwell

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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "I'm immensely proud of the players and what they gave us again today. The disappointment comes in our start to the second half.

"We spoke about getting a fast start, cementing that advantage and we didn't do that. We concede the goal at 2-1, then for me we score a perfectly good goal to go 3-1 up and that obviously doesn't go in our favour.

"That frustration boils over from myself and for that I would always apologise to the players but it's because I'm in there with them.

"There's a wee bit of disappointment that it's only a point for us today, but no disappointment in the personality, the character and what they showed. This was always going to be tough but I think we showed an unbelievable effort."

On Tony Watt's first disallowed goal: "I'm flabbergasted, and it's complete over-protection of the goalkeeper, I think he gets it all wrong. I'm baffled with the whole thing but it's another huge decision that goes against this football club - adding to the many in the last few weeks."

Substitute Hamza Igamane's second-half double rescued a Scottish Premiership point for Rangers at Motherwell in a frantic game at Fir Park.

Two goals down at half-time and staring back-to-back league defeats in the face before Thursday's Old Firm game at Ibrox, manager Phillipe Clement called on the Moroccan to make amends.

He did so clinically, first lashing in after the ball fell at his feet, before hauling second-place Rangers - who are now 14 points behind leaders Celtic - level with a sweet strike into the far corner.

Stuart Kettlewell - who was sent off after voicing his frustration at a string of decisions - side took the lead through Apostolos Stamatelopoulous' instinctive play, as the Australian pounced on a bouncing ball to poke beneath Jack Butland.

Tawanda Maswanshise's magnificent solo second had Motherwell dreaming of a first top-flight win against Rangers in Lanarkshire since Boxing Day 2002, but the cards didn't fall.

Give us your thoughts on the game here., external

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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It might seem churlish for Motherwell turn their nose at a point against Rangers, but they will feel three were well within their grasp here.

In the first 45, they outmuscled and outsmarted their visitors, particularly in the midfield and attack, and were ruthless in their finishing.

In Maswanhise, they have a real maverick. The skill he showed for his goal was superb and he often left a wretched Rangers defence in a spin.

A spark of some sort was always likely to come from Rangers, but when it did, it wasn't as if Motherwell lay down and let them shine.

The fight, through the tired legs, was still there late on. All 100-odd minutes of it.

There will no doubt be a whack of disappointment at the first disallowed goal especially, where Watt was merely brushing against Butland, but it's another point in a fine Premiership campaign for Kettlewell's side.

If you missed it, be sure to catch Tawanda Maswanhise's goal on Sportscene tonight.

The touch, the turn and the finish were fantastic and fired Motherwell into a well-earned two-goal lead.

He caused Rangers all sorts of trouble and impressed once more with his creativity.

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Motherwell have doubts over striker Apostolos Stamatelopolous and an unnamed player through illness, while Liam Gordon is hoping to shake off an issue that led to the centre-half dropping to the bench at Celtic Park.

Captain Paul McGinn is back training, but Steve Seddon, Ross Callachan, Callum Slattery, Jack Vale and Zach Robinson remain out.

Rangers will assess Leon Balogun after the centre-half came off injured in the first half of the defeat by St Mirren.

John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo remain sidelined, while Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo continue their return to fitness.

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Motherwell defender Shane Blaney is relishing being back in the thick of the action after a "frustrating" injury kept him out for the opening period of the league season.

Blaney suffered medial ligament damage against Ross County in Motherwell's league opener and missed about 10 weeks before regaining his place in the starting line-up against St Mirren earlier this month.

Motherwell took seven points from three matches with the Irishman in the back three, and he is ready to bounce back after the Boxing Day defeat by Celtic.

"I'm loving it," Blaney said. "It's been great to get back in.

"It was really frustrating in the first game of the season to pick up the injury. It was at a time where I felt really good throughout pre-season. It was probably the strongest pre-season I've had so far in my career.

"It was really frustrating because obviously you're so excited for the first game of the season, you're so excited for the season, and then to be hit with that was a nightmare.

"But I'm delighted now to get back in the team in the last four or five games. There's been a good few positive results, barring Boxing Day.

"Hopefully now we can just kick on again Sunday and throughout the festive games."

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• Motherwell have lost eight of their last nine meetings with Rangers in all competitions, winning the other in March of last season (2-1). The Steelmen have already lost twice to the Gers in 2024-25 (August and November).

• Rangers are unbeaten in 29 league visits to Motherwell (W20 D9) since going down 1-0 on Boxing Day 2002 under Alex McLeish.

• Motherwell won their final league match of 2023 3-1 against Livingston; not since 2015 have they won their last such game in successive calendar years (3 in a row).

• Each of the last four occasions that Rangers have lost their final top-flight league game of a calendar year have been against Celtic; when facing a side other than their Old Firm rivals in their last such match (excluding 2012 when they were expelled from the top division at the end of the season), the Gers are unbeaten in 26 games (W23 D3) since 0-2 defeat to Hearts in 1985.

• Rangers' James Tavernier has been directly involved in nine goals in his last 10 league appearances against Motherwell (four goals, five assists). Indeed, he has five goals and four assists in his last seven league matches at Fir Park.

We asked for your views on Motherwell's 4-0 defeat by Celtic.

Here's what some of you said:

Michael: It's time Stuart Kettlewell stopped blaming and criticising referees. He is becoming like a broken record every week. He has to look no further than himself and the team. Six shots and one on target in the last two games. Says it all. It's not a new phenomenon, it's been typical of the season.

Alan: When you consider the value of both squads, Motherwell managed to do very well in the first half. However the strength and creativity of Celtic, along with class showed through in the second half. Given the money invested in both squads it ends up men against boys, but credit to the 'Well for their effort. Financially it's never going to be even!

Billy: Stop complaining about the officials, it's becoming boring. The next few games should be interesting.

David: Motherwell have punched above their weight more than anyone in Scottish football, but this result is just further evidence of the growing cavern that exists in Scottish football. No one can compete with Celtic and their ever increasing budget.

Andy: Zero shots and 16% possession is embarrassing. No effort at all to get something out of the game. Kettlewell has mentioned we needed to better on the ball. What is he doing about it? Feel sorry for Lennon Miller with the tactics.

Craig: Conceding the penalty on the stroke of half time never helps - not saying it would have changed the final outcome, but it would've given us something to build upon going into the second half. I've not seen a decent replay, but there looks to be minimal contact at best!

James: Shocking penalty decision, but we were not at the races in the second half. Not positive enough, a vast improvement required.

Watch highlights from Celtic's 4-0 win against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

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• Motherwell attempted two shots in this game, their lowest total in a single match in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Celtic have kept a clean sheet in each of their past five games in the Premiership, a run of 510 minutes without conceding a goal.

• Celtic have scored in 16 of their 17 games, no team has done so more often in the Premiership this season.

• Nicolas Kuhn has scored six goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no Celtic player has more.

• Celtic are undefeated in their past 26 games in the Premiership, their last longer unbeaten streak was from 1 October 2022 to 7 May 2023, a run of 27 games.

• Motherwell failed to attempt a shot on target in this game, it's the first time they failed to attempt a shot on target in a game in the Premiership since facing Rangers on 24 December 2023.

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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell said after Thursday's 4-0 loss at Celtic Park that referee Ross Hardie spoke to the visiting players like school children. (Record), external

Kettlewell feels his Well side were on the wrong end of debatable penalty calls against Celtic. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

Celtic returned to winning ways after overcoming a shaky start to record a 4-0 Scottish Premiership victory over Motherwell.

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 fans, were you at Parkhead or were you following along from home? Either way, we want your thoughts.

Have your say on the game., external

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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 just before half-time which is the frustration because you're starting to think you can go in, galvanise yourselves and try to pick yourselves up at half-time.

"The penalty itself, I felt it was really soft but I'll have another look at it and see if it was justified.

"Goals two and three are a frustration for me, I've played against Celtic many times and the types of goals they can score against you - I didn't really see that in the first three.

"Just that bit of disappointment in the nature of the goals we have conceded.

"We've earned where we are in the league but I still believe we can get much better. We've got key players coming back that will help through the tough fixture schedule. I'm extremely proud of what the players have given at this stage but I still feel there's more from them."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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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.

Dan Casey's controversial red card in the draw with Kilmarnock has been downgraded to yellow and the defender is free to face Celtic on Boxing Day.

Well submitted a wrongful dismissal claim to the Scottish FA after Casey was sent off by referee Chris Graham following a clash with Danny Armstrong, where he grabbed at the Kilmarnock winger's chest.

Graham was handed the opportunity to reverse his call by his video assistant but stuck by his violent conduct decision, which Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell described as the "worst" he had ever seen.

Because of his disciplinary record, Casey was facing a three-game ban, however a fast-track panel outcome on Tuesday downgraded the offence to a booking for holding or pushing an opponent.

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Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn is a doubt after missing the goalless draw with Dundee United with a knee issue.

Brendan Rodgers also hopes Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty recover from illness and Alistair Johnston shakes off a minor hip issue while James Forrest is out until January with a foot complaint.

Motherwell were successful in their bid to have Dan Casey's red card against Kilmarnock downgraded to a yellow which allows him to feature in Glasgow.

Sam Nicholson returns after illness but Steve Seddon is out as he awaits news of the extent of his ankle injury. Ross Callachan (hamstring), Paul McGinn (thigh), Callum Slattery (knee), Jack Vale (calf) and Zach Robinson (Achilles) remain out.

• Celtic are unbeaten in 32 meetings with Motherwell in all competitions (W27 D5) since a 2-1 home defeat in December 2015.

• Motherwell last faced Celtic on Boxing Day in 1964, losing 2-0. Overall, the Steelmen have drawn both of their last two away games against the Hoops 1-1.

• In all competitions, Celtic are unbeaten in 24 home games (W21 D3), their longest such run since going 33 without a loss from December 2005 to March 2007 under Gordon Stachan.

• Motherwell have only lost one of their last six Boxing Day league games (W4 D1), a 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock in 2018.

• Celtic have won 17 of their last 18 Boxing Day league games, including their last 11 in a row since a 2-2 draw with Dundee United in 2006. This is their first Boxing Day home game since 2010, ending a run of eight straight away games on this day.

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

Happy Christmas Well fans!

Hopefully the Scottish FA will drop off an apology and a removal of the Dan Casey red card down Fir Park's chimney tonight.

When you have people like John McGinn coming out and saying that is one of the most ludicrous things he has seen in football it speaks volumes.

In interests of balance, Kilmarnock should have had a penalty that wasn't awarded for some bizarre reason.

Giving what both sides were up against from the referee, a draw was not a bad result but it wasn't a game I'd like to relive. Second half we were miles off it.

We travel to Celtic on Boxing Day then have Rangers at home on 29 December. I fear those games will either be a cricket score where they annihilate us, or they put out weaker teams because they've got the derby looming, and we can sneak a result.

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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell says the decision to send off Dan Casey in their 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock on Friday night is "the worst" piece of refereeing he's ever seen.

The Fir Park club have submitted a wrongful dismissal claim to the Scottish FA after Casey's sending off at the weekend, and the appeal hearing will take place on Christmas Eve.

The defender was shown a straight red card for a clash with Killie's Danny Armstrong.

Despite being advised to take a second look at the incident on the pitchside monitor, referee Chris Graham stuck with his original decision.

"I've not spoken to one individual that sees that the same way as the outcome," Kettlewell said.

"I don't think we can ever see that, that scenario where it's so cut and dry, in my opinion, and I know there's an appeal to be heard and all the rest of it, but I just find it baffling.

"It's genuinely the worst one that I've seen.

"But we have to look at this bigger picture as well, and it's worldwide. That game was on the television. We're trying to give the best account of ourselves as we possibly can.

"We didn't play particularly well as a team, but I don't think that type of decision does the game in this country any favours whatsoever."

Motherwell fans, we asked for your views on Friday night's 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Ian: We didn't do enough to win the game and were again disappointing in our use of possession. Putting on Davor Zdravkovski was never going to change the game. Tawanda Maswanhise and Moses Ebiye made a difference but by then we were a man down. The red card was a total joke from a referee who was awful for both teams all night. I'd be gobsmacked if it's not appealed successfully.

John: Watching the game from the opposite end it was hard to see why the red card was given. When the ref was called to the monitor there had to be doubt over the decision. On watching it later, how he stuck with the red card is beyond me. Where is our game going? Players are going to get sent off for breathing at this rate. All teams are suffering, it's a joke

Alan: The game was totally spoiled by an overzealous referee who consistently blew for free kicks which were questionable in the extreme. It spoiled the flow of the game and both teams suffered from it. Maswanhise brought pace speed and creativity when he came on. Play him from the start please.

Eddie: The referee had a bad game but our football is dire to watch. Young Lennon Miller should leave in January as his valuation is plummeting playing in a midfield that can't string three passes together.

Ryan: Thought we were bad, passing was off Harry Paton can't offer anything, the red card on Dan Casey was a red these days, any movement towards a player's neck is a red. Their goal could have been saved. Far from good enough from Stuart Kettlewell

Alan: A very good performance from the much maligned manager and his team. The manager has shown he can adapt the style of play and the high energy with good goals has helped consolidate our position in the league. All the team and the substitutes contributed to an excellent result. Let's keep it up and hopefully it will encourage more local supporters.