Celtic aim to level with Rangers

Martin O’Neill sent Celtic out to face Motherwell at Fir Park hoping the untimely revelations over his delay in signing a new contract had not distracted his title-chasing side from the task in hand of moving level on points with Rangers.

Celtic could even move to the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League if they were to beat the bottom club by four clear goals or produce a 7-4 success.

But O’Neill was already without Chris Sutton, John Hartson, Johan Mjallby, Steve Guppy, Robert Douglas, Magnus Hedman and they were joined on the sidelines by Joos Valgaeren, who suffered a back injury in the 4-1 victory at Dunfermline on Saturday.

His replacement, skipper Paul Lambert stayed in the side in the only change from the weekend with Shaun Maloney staying alongside Henrik Larsson in attack.

But Celtic were aware that Motherwell are still the only team in the top-flight to beat both the Old Firm this season and they sunk Celtic at home 2-1 in September.

With uncertainty raging over Falkirk’s promotion situation, the Lanarkshire outfit were still fighting for their life and in many cases their futures.

They remain a point adrift of Dundee United at the foot of the table after the 2-2 draw on Saturday and Terry Butcher made one change with David Cowan coming in for Steven Craig.