Van Veen’s fine finish secures point for Motherwell against blunt Celtic

In-form Motherwell striker Kevin van Veen ended Celtic’s long winning run with a second-half equaliser at Parkhead.

Callum McGregor put Celtic ahead with a deflected long-range strike as they looked to add to their 17 consecutive victories and 21 successive domestic home wins. But the league leaders allowed Van Veen the chance to show his threat just after the break and the Dutchman obliged with his ninth goal in six matches and his 20th league goal of the season.

Motherwell held out to move a point closer to Premiership safety as Celtic dropped points for only the third time this season.

Ange Postecoglou’s side can still break the points record of 106 set by Brendan Rodgers’ Invincibles side in 2017 - if they win their five remaining matches. Celtic, who had Cameron Carter-Vickers back in their team following a knee problem, moved 13 points ahead of Rangers, who travel to Aberdeen on Sunday for their final game before the split.

Motherwell had the first chance when Callum Butcher volleyed over after Joe Hart’s unconvincing punch, but Celtic soon settled into their usual dominance without cutting their visitors open.

With Tomoki Iwata starting again, McGregor had licence to get forward and he curled just over before setting up Daizen Maeda for a headed chance which Liam Kelly stopped.

The skipper had no second thoughts about shooting when he received the ball 25 yards out in the 24th minute and Dan Casey’s attempt to block inadvertently took the ball out of Kelly’s reach and into the bottom corner.

Maeda missed a half-chance and Sead Haksabanovic shot straight at Kelly from 22 yards as Celtic remained on top for the rest of the half.

Kyogo Furuhashi turned Casey and scuffed wide just after the interval but the move