Celtic’s league surge continues after hammering Motherwell 4-0

Tom Rogic scored a first-half double as Celtic maintained their new position at the top of the Scottish Premiership with an impressive 4-0 victory over Motherwell.

Ange Postecoglou’s side subjected Motherwell to the same first-half demolition that they carried out against Rangers in midweek and again led by three goals at half-time following Liel Abada’s opener and Rogic’s superbly-taken brace. This time Celtic continued their domination after the break and Daizen Maeda rounded off a one-sided win at Fir Park.

The visitors cut fourth-placed Motherwell open time after time with home goalkeeper Liam Kelly busy throughout.

Giorgos Giakoumakis had an effort saved before Celtic opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Greg Taylor’s pass down the left broke the lines and Reo Hatate delivered a wonderful low cross which the untracked Abada ran on to and swept home.

The visitors doubled the lead three minutes later following a throw-in on the right wing. Abada passed inside to Rogic who was faced by Liam Donnelly, but the Australian had the time and space to measure a trademark curling effort into the top corner from 22 yards.

Motherwell had a let-off when they failed to deal with Maeda’s low cross and Rogic saw his shot hit by a grounded defender. But the third goal came in stoppage-time. Anthony Ralston’s pass sent Abada down the line and the Israeli cut the ball back for Rogic to slot home.

Motherwell brought on an entirely new frontline and moved to a 4-3-3. But Celtic were soon back in command. Callum McGregor hit the top of the bar on the counter-attack, Maeda had the ball in the net but Giakoumakis was penalised for a foul on Donnelly, and Kelly saved well from James Forrest’s header.

The fourth goal came in the 71st minute