Henrik Larsson struck four times to inspire Celtic to a emphatic triumph at
Fir Park against a Motherwell side who never recovered from a moment of madness
from red-carded John Spencer.
With the match goalless after 13 minutes the Scotland forward swung an elbow
at the head of Jackie McNamara and was promptly dismissed.
That made for a stormy atmosphere but also ensured it would be an unbalanced
contest as Celtic moved ahead through Larsson's 22nd minute penalty.
Ged Brannan's free kick four minutes later offered hope of a Motherwell
revival, but Lubomir Moravcik's set piece strike on the half-hour restored
Celtic's lead.
The visitors were the dominant force after the break, though were never quite
able to relax until Swede Larsson has made it 29 for his productive season with
a fine individual effort.
A potentially serious injury to Moravcik lowered Celtic spirits, but
substitute Craig Burley soon marked his first game in four months with a stylish
fourth.
Only the wasteful finishing of Harald Brattbakk was by now denying a rout and
his eventual replacment Mark Burchill showed him how with a fifth set up by
Blinker.
A minute later and Larsson had his hat-trick after another substitute Tosh
McKinlay had crossed precisely and then, as if by magic, came his fourth and
Celtic's seventh with a fierce header.
The pre-match focus had been on Andy Goram's decision, with the Motherwell
management, to pull out in the wake of denied allegations that the keeper has
links with Northern Ireland terrorist groups.
But this game was quickly to make its own headlines as the controversial
background to the clash was soon overshadowed by events on the field in a
dramatic match.
The first meaningful attack saw Regi Blinker, retained in a side that saw Tom
Boyd return for Tosh McKinlay as the only change, feed Larsson to drag a shot
wide.
Motherwell could have moved ahead after 11 minutes when a misdirected Johan
Mjallby header released Lee McCulloch but his close range shot was fired against
the legs of Jonathan Gould.
Then came the 13th minute flashpoint as a wrestle for possession between
Spencer and Jackie McNamara turned nasty when the Motherwell forward retaliated
with an elbow and was dismissed.
That launched an angry few minutes that may yet see further action taken,
notably McCulloch's wild off-the-ball lunge at Moravcik which escaped referee
Kenny Clark's attention.
After 21 minutes the noise level in the stadium rose again as Celtic moved
ahead when Michel Doesburg upended Stephane Mahe in the area for a spot kick
which owed much to the Frenchman's fall.
Larsson stepped up to convert in relaxed manner slotting the ball to Stevie
Woods' right to place Celtic ahead and seemingly in control against the ten
men.
But the advantage was to last only four minutes when after a Boyd foul on
Eddie May, Brannan stroked a 25-yard free kick beyond the reach of Gould for
1-1.
Celtic's response was no less swift, Brannan booked for a bad foul on Larsson
before Moravcik curled another free kick into the net via the inside of the post
with Woods slow in reacting.
Larsson missed an opportunity to put the match beyond reach four minutes
before the break after creating time and space for himself as the interval came
to a chorus of Motherwell jeers.
Brattbakk spurned an opening straight from the restart after good work by
Blinker offered him a chance, but he was slow to react and his eventual shot
lacked power.
Celtic were struggling to capitalise on the extra man with Brattbakk the worst
offender, cutting inside with purpose only to fire an angled drive well over on
the hour mark.
But after 65 minutes Celtic were 3-1 ahead after a moment of individualism
from Larsson saw him evade both Motherwell central defenders before shooting
past Woods.
Brattbakk produced another glaring miss moments later blasting over an empty
net from close range, but worse fortune was to befall Celtic.
Moravcik, in stunning form since his £300,000 arrival from Duisberg, looked to
pull a hamstring and was substituted in agony by Craig Burley.
Within minutes Burley had scored Celtic's fourth after Larsson's pass was
played through the legs of Shaun Teale, the Scotland midfielder struck his
effort low past Woods.
The best was yet to come however as Burchill tucked away a Celtic fifth soon
after replacing Brattbakk before Larsson took centre stage.
The Swede netted twice in the closing four minutes to complete what in the end
proved a rout for Celtic's largest away success of the season by a distance - a
magnificent 7-1.
Teams
Motherwell: Woods, Doesburg, McGowan, Teale, Craigen (Nevin 30),
May (Ross 70), Brannan, Spencer, Valakari, Coyle (Adams 63), McCulloch.
Subs Not Used: Bannister, Ramsey.
Sent Off: Spencer (14).
Booked: Brannan.
Goals: Brannan 26.
Celtic: Gould, Boyd, Riseth, Mjallby, Mahe (McKinlay 78),
McNamara, Lambert, Moravcik (Burley 71), Blinker, Larsson,
Brattbakk (Burchill 83).
Subs Not Used: Kerr, Healy.
Booked: Mjallby, Boyd.
Goals: Larsson 22 pen, Moravcik 30, Larsson 65, Burley 74,
Burchill 85, Larsson 86, 87.
Att: 11,963
Ref: K Clark (Paisley).
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