Strachan fumes at ‘worst performance’ as Celtic squeeze past luckless Well

Motherwell 1 Celtic 2

Dubliner Richie Foran opened the scoring but Maloney produced the pass for Maciej Zurawski’s equaliser before taking advantage of a mix-up between Martyn Corrigan and Graeme Smith to fire home a free kick with extra time looming.

Strachan dampened any celebrations by claiming the display was worse than their 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Artmedia Bratislava in the Champions League qualifier.

“That was the worst performance since I have been here,” Strachan said.

“Despite being in the cup final I am not having that standard because we have to set higher standards. There is no euphoria and happiness because the performance says to me I have decisions to make and work to do.”

Motherwell were robbed of extra time after Smith had dived on Corrigan’s over-hit back pass. Referee Craig Thomson gave an indirect free-kick inside the box which Maloney blasted home with four minutes remaining.

Motherwell manager Terry Butcher revealed Corrigan had been in tears following his costly mistake. “They all are gutted,” said Butcher.

“There are lots of tears because we have come so close again. It was a hard thing to take. I am bitterly disappointed and sick we are not through.” Celtic face Dunfermline in the final but John Hartson will be suspended.

MOTHERWELL: Graeme Smith, Corrigan, Craigan, McLean, Hammell, McBride (O’Donnell 89), McCormack, Kerr, Foran, Scott McDonald, Hamilton (Thermeus 89).

CELTIC: Boruc, Virgo (Keane 89), McManus, Varga, Camara (Pearson 72), Nakamura (Thompson 65), Petrov, Lennon, Maloney, Zurawski, Hartson.

Referee: C Thomson

Last night: Coca Cola Football League Championship: Derby 0 Sheffield United 1.