Eyal Berkovic again showed Celtic's interim manager Kenny Dalglish why he
cannot be left out of the side with another magnificent display to help sink
Motherwell.
Rangers might be out of sight in the title race but the Israeli international
is certainly a man on a mission after fighting his way back into the side.
Dalglish has been reluctant to play both Berkovic and Lubomir Moravcik in the
same side but his display against Kilmarnock on Sunday had him admitting that he
had to find a way of accommodating him in his team.
And tonight he proved that he should be an integral part of the side and with
his new-found confidence he was a constant menace and helped himself to the goal
his performance deserved.
Tommy Johnson put Celtic in front with a stunning free-kick before Berkovic
added a second and in the second half Johnson grabbed his second before Regi
Blinker completed the rout.
Moravcik was forced to make way for the talented Israeli and Berkovic, who
allegedly made a gesture to the fans after his goal on Sunday, was given a
hero's welcome by the Celtic fans every time he went over to take a corner.
He started in lively fashion and in the first minute sent Blinker away down
the left. His effort was spilled by Motherwell goalkeeper Stephen McMillan who
gathered at the second attempt.
A minute later and Berkovic was unlucky to see his speculative effort from the
edge of the box whistle just wide.
But it was Johnson who produced the magic to put his side in front with a
tremendous free-kick from 20 yards in the ninth minute that left Woods rooted to
the spot.
Despite their obvious attacking flair the Celtic defence looked
characteristically shaky and in the 13th minute Kevin Twaddle's cross was sliced
behind by Steven Creaney and then Don Goodman was allowed space in the box but
Jonathan Gould dealt comfortably with his effort.
Mark Viduka came agonisingly close to make a scoring return in the 18th minute
when he met Berkovic's corner but his effort crashed against the crossbar and
behind.
Johnson again showed great awareness in trying to catch Woods off-guard in the
24th minute from Viduka's cross but his effort flew into the side-netting.
Motherwell's star Ged Brannan went close two minutes later when he headed
McMillan's corner just over the Celtic bar.
But Celtic doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute in a hectic few moments
as Creaney found Johnston and his ball was headed past the flat-footed Woods by
the impressive Berkovic and he then had the easiest of tap-ins.
But confusion reigned during the build-up to the goal after Motherwell physio
raced onto the pitch as Goodman staggered and collapsed to the ground and was
stretchered off.
Sasa Curcic could have got his side back into the game in the 43rd minute when
McMillan found him on the edge of the box but he played high over the bar.
Berkovic continued to cause the visitors problems after the break and in the
48th minute he found Stilian Petrov in the area but the Bulgarian shot straight
at the goalkeeper.
Four minutes later Berkovic was again looking for more glory and he found
space just inside the area but his shot was just too weak and Woods gathered
comfortably.
Viduka spurned a gilt-edged chance before Goodman eased fears over his welfare
when he made an appearance to watch the second half from the bench.
But the problems on field continued when Celtic scored their third to hamper
Motherwell's European charge.
Benito Kemble's header to his goalkeeper was just too short and Johnson again
showed great awareness to lob Woods in the 75th minute.
Moments later and Blinker made it four with a low shot past Woods while in the
80th minute Viduka should have made it five when through on goal but his shot
went straight at the Motherwell goalkeeper.
Berkovic was given a standing ovation in the 81st minute when he and Viduka
left the field to be replaced by Moravcik and Mark Burchill and later Johnson
also received a salute from the fans as he departed.
The duo had proved they could still have a great future at the club.
Teams:
Celtic: Gould, McNamara, Creaney, Mjallby, M. Wieghorst, Petrov, Lambert, Berkovic (Moravcik 80), Blinker,
Viduka (Burchill 80), Johnson (Kennedy 85).
Subs Not Used: Kerr, Petta.
Goals: Johnson 9, Berkovic 32, Johnson 75, Blinker 76.
Motherwell: Woods, McMillan, Brannan, McCulloch,
Goodman (Nevin 35), J. Davies, Twaddle, Kemble, Corrigan,
Curcic (Nicholas 66), Strong (McGowan 25).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Adams.
Booked: McMillan, McGowan.
Att: 46,862
Ref: S Dougal (Scotland).
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