Having waited 14 years to host a game on Boxing Day, Celtic took just a little longer to demonstrate the benefits of staying at home around this time of year.
For 44 minutes, Brendan Rodgers’ side looked lethargic and lacking in inspiration. Another long struggle like the one they endured at Tannadice on Sunday was on the cards.
By the time the pies were being consumed at the interval, though, the benefits of the club’s summer splurge were evident.
A cross from Paulo Bernardo led to a penalty which Arne Engels converted with aplomb.
Celtic were rarely in danger thereafter. As Rodgers piled on the substitutes, his players piled on the goals. Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn and Reo Hatate pounced in short order.
A testing afternoon turned into an extremely comfortable one. Suggestions that Celtic’s labours on Tayside last time out were indicative of a wider malaise were put to bed.
Arne Engels celebrates scoring the all-important opener from the penalty spot
Engels slots home the spot-kick for Celtic just before the interval
Rodgers was pleased to see his team win again after goalless draw with Dundee United
As the end of the year comes into view, Rodgers’ side look unlikely to endure the kind of calamity which Rangers will require if they are to yet snatch the title from their grasp.
They’ve dropped just four points in 17 Premiership outings. Eight points better off than at this juncture last season, the improvement year-on-year is evident.
Even when not at their best, as they were here for a spell. they invariably find a way to get the job done.
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell felt aggrieved at the ‘soft’ nature of the penalty which saw Hyun-jun Yang go down under the challenge of Aston Oxborough. Beyond that, however, the visitors could have had no complaints.
They went to pieces in the second period, the commendable levels of concentration they’d shown in the first half long gone.
Flushing this one from their system before Rangers come to Fir Park on Sunday will not be easy.
Kyogo Furuhashi’s poor showing at Tannadice saw him relegated to the bench with Adam Idah handed a start. Neither Auston Trusty nor Kuhn were deemed fit enough to start although both were held in reserve.
For long enough, Kettlewell could have asked no more from his players. Compact, organised and switched on, they resisted Celtic to very little in terms of gilt-edged opportunities.
Daizen Maeda’s diving header puts Celtic two-nil up against Motherwell
The Japanese winger is congratulated by his team-mate Yang
Substitute Nicolas Kuhn shrugged off his recent injury scare to make it 3-0
The German’s effort is hailed by Maeda, left, and Kyogo Furuhashi, right
On one flank, Maeda got little change out of Marvin Kaleta. On the other, Yang toiled against Ewan Wilson.
On the rare occasion either Celtic winger got away from their man, their deliveries left a lot to be desired.
A lapse in concentration at the other end by Yang as the game settled might well have proven costly. Tawanda Maswanhise capitalised on his stumble but his theatrics in the box cost him a yellow card.
Callum McGregor’s attempt to break the deadlock ended with his shot from 20 yards being deflected and hacked clear.
It was to become the theme of the home side’s opening 44 minutes. A lack of inspiration. Plenty of frustration.
Motherwell’s impressive organisation had much to do with that. So, too, had the desire of Rodgers’ players to take an extra touch when it wasn’t always necessary.
Greg Taylor’s risky cross-field pass was cut out by Maswanhise. The Zimbabwean advanced and played in Tom Sparrow with a back heel. Cameron Carter-Vickers’ intervention ensured Motherwell only earned a corner.
Lennon Miller’s slip as Celtic tried to counter succeeded in taking out team-mate Harry Paton.
Reo Hatate completed the scoring for the champions with a superb strike
Hatate celebrates making it 4-0 with team-mates Ralston and McCowan
Idah advanced at pace then fed Maeda. The winger’s shot was knocked high into the air by Oxborough. Wilson was brave and alert to knock the ball clear from his own goal line.
Idah failed to find the target with a strike from the edge of the box while off balance, then fired into Oxborough’s arms on the one occasion Maeda found him with a cross.
Yang lost Wilson for the first time only to find the player had recovered in time to prevent his shot from finding the target.
Motherwell were close to a prized and deserved blank half-time scoreline but, alas, not quite close enough.
Just as Kettlewell’s mind would have been turning to his team-talk for the interval, everything changed.
Bernardo’s cross seemed set to be repelled by the visiting defence until a deflection held it up.
Oxborough was already committed but found himself with work to do to beat Yang to the ball. The South Korean’s pace allowed him to win the foot race.
Referee Ross Hardie immediately pointed to the spot. VAR went through the motions of checking, but it was clear that the keeper had made an error.
Engels changed his routine, pinging the ball low to the keeper’s right from 12 yards, but maintained his perfect record from the spot for Celtic.
Having put so much into the game, you sensed Motherwell had to capitalise on the next big moment that came their way when they re-emerged. Miller’s corner was met with a powerful header by Kaleta. Of all people, his team-mate Tony Watt accidentally blocked the effort on the line.
Kettlewell would have feared what happened next. Engel’s corner from Celtic’s left had pace and accuracy. Liam Scales rose and helped it on. Maeda’s diving header eased Celtic towards the three points.
Rodgers brought on Furuhashi, Kuhn and Hatate, then Luke McCowan and Alex Valle. It was the last thing Motherwell’s tiring legs needed.
Kuhn put the matter beyond all doubt with a strike from the edge of the box which caught an ankle on its way to the bottom left corner.
Hatate completed the scoring in similar fashion with nine minutes remaining, his right foot strike nicking a boot as it beat Oxborough to his left.
Having struggled to make the breakthrough, Celtic’s quality eased them to a victory which was comfortable in the end.
