Celtic return to summit with narrow win over Motherwell
Reo Hatate's long-range strike sent Celtic back to the top of the cinch Premiership with a narrow 2-1 victory over Motherwell. Kyogo Furuhashi netted from close range early on but Celtic gifted Motherwell a 36th-minute equaliser following a mix-up between Josip Juranovic and Joe Hart, who could not keep out the right-back's pass back. Hatate restored Celtic's lead with a brilliant shot in the 64th minute but his loose pass led to a red card for Callum McGregor with a minute left as the Hoops captain brought down Ross Tierney.
The 10 men held out without any further scares to restore their two-point lead with a first win in four matches. The champions would not have envisaged going into their next home league match in second place after demolishing Rangers 4-0 at Parkhead on September 3, but defeat against St Mirren before the international break allowed their city rivals to move top with a lunchtime win over Hearts. Celtic again lined up with Moritz Jenz and Stephen Welsh in central defence in the absence of the injured Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Joe Efford and Rolando Aarons were out for Motherwell with hamstring injuries and Carl Slattery was still absent but Ricki Lamie brushed off a knock to start. Jota scuffed an early chance into Liam Kelly's hands but Motherwell were generally defending diligently until the 15th minute when a simple move led to the opener. McGregor ran into the left channel and played the ball outside to Jota, whose first-time cross was met by Matt O'Riley.