Riordan scores but Celts Well held

DEREK RIORDAN was downbeat despite marking his full Bank of Scotland Premier League debut for Celtic with his first goal. The former Hibernian forward scored for the first time since April in an impressive first-half display against Motherwell at Fir Park.

But Darren Smith’s injury-time equaliser handed ‘Well a much-deserved point as the Hoops drew their third game out of four. Riordan had threatened the hosts on numerous occasions before slotting home a rebound in the 36th minute, and put in several dangerous crosses from wide on the left but rued his side’s failure to extend their lead.

The 23-year-old said: “One goal is never enough. I’m just disappointed it came so late, we just couldn’t keep the ball in the last minute or so.

“It has been a long time obviously so I was delighted with a goal, but just disappointed with the result.”

The Scotland cap denied his lack of goals for Celtic had been playing on his mind.

“It hasn’t really because I’ve not had much of a chance to be honest,” he said.

“That’s my first start in the league so I’ve just got to take my chance when it comes. I was quite quiet in the second-half I thought but I created a few chances, got a few shots in and got a goal so I’m happy.”

Motherwell hero Smith felt his injury-time goal was the least the Steelmen deserved.

“We played really well, we dominated the whole game,” he said.

“We were all over them and we had so many chances. It just seemed it wasn’t falling at our feet in front of goal and then eventually we got a bit of luck and it came. We should have won, the boys played well but I’m just thankful we got a point.”

The 18-year-old had a diving header cleared off the line with his first touch.

He said: “I should have volleyed it but it came to me and I missed it. I just had to get on with it.”

He made no mistake after Scott McDonald forced the ball past Artur Boruc on the touchline in the dying stages.

The right-winger said: “Scott did really well down the wing and got the ball. I don’t know how he cut it back, I thought Boruc was going to save it and he just managed to cut it back to me and I couldn’t really miss. I just had to tap it in from a yard out. I got all the credit but it’s all due to Scott McDonald, he played really well, like the rest of the boys.”

MOTHERWELL: Graeme Smith, Corrigan, Craigan, Reynolds, Paterson, McGarry (Darren Lee Smith 77), Kerr, Fitzpatrick, Foran, Clarkson (Elliot 74), McDonald.

CELTIC: Boruc, Telfer, McManus, O’Dea, Naylor, Nakamura, Lennon, Gravesen, Riordan (Pearson 80), Zurawski (Beattie 58), Miller (McGeady 68).

Referee: C Richmond.