Motherwell

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.

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• Motherwell have scored in their last four games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of six games from 10 August 2024 to 5 October 2024.

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

• Motherwell have scored in each of their last four games in the Premiership, scoring seven goals in that run.

• Motherwell are undefeated in their last three games in the Premiership, their last joint longest unbeaten streak was from 30 March 2024 to 13 April 2024.

Watch highlights and Dan Casey's controversial red card as Kilmarnock draw at Motherwell. (UK only)

Match report: Motherwell 1-1 Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock extended their unbeaten run to three Scottish Premiership matches as they came from behind to earn a draw against Motherwell, who controversially had Dan Casey sent off.

Liam Polworth got the equaliser, his first goal in two years, as Derek McInnes' side produced a stirring second half to counter Liam Gordon's first-half opener.

Their cause was aided when Casey was given a straight red three minutes after Polworth's goal following an altercation with Danny Armstrong.

Referee Chris Graham indicated Casey had grabbed Armstrong towards the throat, and stuck with his original call despite being called to the monitor to review the incident by referee David Dickinson.

Were you at Fir Park on Friday night or following along from home, give us your thoughts on Motherwell's performance, external.

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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "I didn't think we played vey well. I didn't think we passed the ball in the fashion we try and do. For that I always take responsibility.

"I felt we fought and scrapped our way through elements of the game.

"In the game I raised a concern, we had the same referee [Chris Graham] up in Dingwall the other week and there was over 60 minutes of dead time, I felt there was probably the same amount tonight. The game needs to breathe a wee bit more.

"It becomes carnage. That's the point we get to in the game of football. Questionable is an understatement. I always try and be honest. I am sick and fed up of it.

"I've been told there's been three key errors in our last five games. I try to move on and hope better times are ahead then it come to tonight and it's by far the worst of them all. It's quite incredible.

"Him being sent to the monitor suggests he's got it wrong. I've been given the heads up from Kilmarnock's bench that this is going to be overturned. And the ref watches it several times and thinks that he's got it right.

"I'm concerned for the game in this country if we're deeming that type of thing a red card. We want it to get better. Decisions like that are not moving it forward."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell have been in decent form and in a tightly packed Scottish Premiership that usually brings rewards. They will be frustrated to have gone ahead and not held on, but moved up to fourth in the table with a point.

Not that they were at their best here. Not by a stretch but they nullified Kilmarnock until the visitors improved when substitutes came on.

The red card late on significantly hampered their ability to force a winner and that decision may well be challenged in due course, given the lack of force in Dan Casey's grab of Armstrong off the ball.

Despite that setback, Motherwell still showed a willingness to go and win the game.

They face a tough run away to Celtic and at home to Rangers, but will be content with where they are right now.

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Motherwell should have been awarded a penalty in their 4-3 win over Dundee United last weekend, according to the Scottish FA's key match incident panel.

Luca Stephenson's challenge on Steve Seddon went unpunished by referee Nick Walsh, with VAR agreeing with the decision of the on-field official.

But the majority of the Scottish FA's KMI panel (four of the five members) agreed at an review should have been recommended and a spot-kick awarded.

Stephen O'Donnell has set his sights on the Scottish Cup last four after being devastated that a torn hamstring deprived the Motherwell right-back of his first Hampden semi-final last month. (Daily Record)

Read the rest of Friday's gossip.

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Loan striker Tony Watt returns to the Motherwell squad after being unable to play against parent club Dundee United last weekend.

Ross Callachan (hamstring), Paul McGinn (thigh), Callum Slattery (knee), Jack Vale (calf) and Zach Robinson (Achilles) remain out.

Kilmarnock are without the suspended Robbie Deas, while Matty Kennedy remains an injury doubt after missing out against Hearts. Kyle Magennis is set to return after sitting out that game with a bug.

Kieron O'Hara could continue between in goal after Robby McCrorie was forced to be replaced against the Jambos at half-time with an injury. Skipper Kyle Vassell returns after missing the Hearts game as his partner was in labour.

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Stephen O'Donnell insists Motherwell's primary focus this season is to avoid relegation even though they sit fourth in the Scottish Premiership.

Stuart Kettlewell's side have won their last two matches and are eight points ahead of Friday's league opponents Kilmarnock, who sit eighth.

Despite their strong start to the season, defender O'Donnell says they will not be thinking about a top-half league finish until their top-flight status is secure.

"We're sitting in a good position," O'Donnell said. "That's the first thing. We're in a really good position. As always, there's room for improvement.

"And it's always about building new runs. And hopefully on Friday night we can continue and go three on the bounce.

"I'd love to say (fourth place) it's realistic. I'd love to say we should achieve it.

"I think we need to focus on getting to a points total that keeps us safe, keeps us in the league, and from there we then build."

Motherwell were last relegated from Scotland's top flight in the 1983-84 season, and O'Donnell believes pragmatism and not getting carried away is behind that record.

"I think that's how the club has had financial success," the Scotland international continued.

"You start from there and then you can kind of try and kick on. So hopefully that's what we can do.

"We've made a hell of a good start to do that, and the sooner we get to a points tally where we feel safe, then we can maybe look to reassess and kick on from there.

"I'm pessimistic, so we need to make sure that we stay in the league.

"I think that's where Motherwell wants to be, where Motherwell should be.

"If we are fourth it's a hell of a good achievement, or top six, it's a brilliant achievement as well.

"And bottom six is where financially we probably should be. But as a club, we look to overachieve. We look to push ourselves. And that's certainly what we're trying to do."

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• Motherwell have only lost one of their last six league meetings with Kilmarnock (W2 D3), a 0-1 defeat in November 2023.

• Kilmarnock are winless in five league visits to Motherwell (D2 L3) since a 2-0 victory in December 2020 under Alex Dyer.

• Motherwell have won both of their last two league games, but haven't won three on the bounce since September 2023; this is the sixth time since then that they have won back-to-back Scottish Premiership matches.

• Despite playing the most away games of any side in the Scottish Premiership this season, Kilmarnock are one of three sides yet to keep a clean sheet on their travels (also Hearts and St. Mirren). Killie have conceded a league-high 24 away goals in the top-flight in 2024-25.

• Kilmarnock are winless in their last nine Scottish Premiership games played on a Friday (D3 L6), with their last such win coming in October 2014 against Dundee United (2-0). Away from home, their last top-flight win on this day of the week was on New Year's Day 1999 - which was against Motherwell (2-1).

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Manager Stuart Kettlewell has suggested Scottish FA head of referees Willie Collum feels Motherwell should have received a penalty in Saturday's 4-3 win over Dundee United.

With the score at 3-1 to the home side at Fir Park, United's Luca Stephenson appeared to catch fellow wing-back Steve Seddon in the box.

Kettlewell said the challenge is "as clear a penalty as you'll see" and confirmed both he and Collum saw several incidents in the match "the same way".

United were awarded an earlier spot-kick to make the match 1-1 when a VAR review deemed Liam Gordon to have caught former Well striker Louis Moult, while there were suggestions Apostolos Stamatelopoulos used his arm to assist the hosts' fourth goal.

Kettlewell agreed with both of those calls but was left baffled by the decision to not award his side a penalty for the Seddon incident.

"The conversation [between Collum and I] stays in house, but we saw the incidents the same way," he said.

"I felt it was as clear a penalty as you'll see. It's one we've missed. I will be stunned if it doesn't come out with five votes to zero in favour of a penalty kick [in this week's Key Match Incidents report].

"We were told we should have had [a penalty] against Ross County at 0-0 and the game should have been stopped against Dundee [for a head injury just before they made it 2-1].

"As the season goes on, you hope those decisions go in your favour."

A controversial decision to not award Rangers a penalty for a tug by Liam Scales on Vaclav Cerny in Sunday's League Cup final has dominated headlines this week.

And on the use of VAR in Scotland, Kettlewell added: "We started really, really well [this season]. A large number of decisions were correct. We were making real strides.

"But from a personal point of view, I don't think it's been great of late. But the transparency and communication has dramatically improved."