Celtic end three-game losing run with win at Motherwell to return to top of SPL

Celtic's Haissem Hassan has a shot at goal during the William Hill Premiership match at Fir Park Stadium.

Jota made his long-awaited return to action as Celtic claimed a much-needed 2-0 victory at Motherwell to return to the top of the William Hill Premiership and ease the acrimony that had engulfed the club during the international break.

Five months on from a dramatic late win that helped them on their way to last season’s title, Martin O’Neill’s side enjoyed another big result at Fir Park to stem a three-game losing streak and climb back ahead of Rangers, who had leapfrogged them at the summit on Saturday.

After a renewal of hostilities between supporters and the Celtic board as well as uncertainty about O’Neill’s future as manager during the three-week break since their home defeat by Gers, an early strike from Camilo Duran helped restore a semblance of calm for the Hoops.

The champions had control of proceedings thereafter and – despite an inspired display from home goalkeeper Alex Paulsen – they added to their lead through Benjamin Nygren in the 58th minute as they made it seven wins in eight league matches this term.

The huge Hoops support sporadically unfurled banners and chanted against major shareholder Dermot Desmond, who was the subject of a tennis-ball protest by a group of balaclava-clad supporters at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in St Andrews last weekend.

Long before the end of a largely one-sided encounter, however, it was Motherwell’s fans who were displaying their frustration by making for the exits as their insipid side slid to a fourth consecutive defeat.

Home boss Alfred Johansson made three changes, as last season’s top scorer Tawanda Maswanhise dropped to the bench.

There were also three changes to the Celtic line-up, with Dane Murray, Sebastian Tounekti and Kasper Hogh replacing Auston Trusty, who was on the bench, and Cameron Carter-Vickers and Luke McCowan, who were not in the squad.

Portuguese winger Jota returned to the squad as a substitute after almost 18 months out with cruciate ligament damage.

Celtic supporters unfurled a tifo prior to kick-off paying tribute to Danny McGrain after their former player’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while there was a minute’s applause in memory of former Well chairman Brian McCafferty, who died last month.

The hosts started brightly, but Celtic took the lead in the ninth minute when Duran fired a low shot in off Paulsen’s left-hand post from 19 yards after Dylan Levitt inadvertently knocked the ball back into the Colombian’s path as he cut in from the right and tried to play a one-two with Nygren.

Duran was denied a second moments later when Longelo cleared his effort off the line before new Germany cap Mika Baur was then denied twice by Paulsen, who also thwarted Tounekti.

With Motherwell having completely lost their way, Paulsen had to make a string of saves early in the second half to deny Tounekti, Colby Donovan and Kieran Tierney before Callum McGregor’s shot was deflected wide and Baur hit the bar.

Celtic notched their second in the 58th minute when Hogh capitalised on slackness from Stephen O’Donnell to set up Nygren, and the Swede jinked round Paulsen on the edge of the six-yard box before firing high into the net from a tight angle.

A smooth afternoon for the Hoops was given further sheen in the 73rd minute when Jota entered the fray for his 100th appearance to loud acclaim from the away support.