Leaders Celtic breeze past Motherwell

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.

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Postecoglou rotated his squad with Anthony Ralston, Rogic and Maeda coming in while Motherwell retained the 3-4-2-1 formation which Graham Alexander introduced for the midweek draw against St Mirren.

Kelly got a taste of what was to come when he stopped Abada's shot with his foot after 60 seconds and Celtic were utterly dominant in the opening stages.

Motherwell finally emerged from their own half and forced a series of set-pieces around the 20-minute mark.

Stephen O'Donnell got a shot at goal from one of them but Maeda appeared to get a touch to divert it over the bar.

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