Battling Celtic beat 10-man Motherwell to extend lead

Celtic were forced to work hard for a 2-0 victory over ten-man Motherwell which extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League on Saturday.

Celtic's midweek Champions League exertions seemed to have taken their toll on the Parkhead players yet Paul Hartley gave them the lead just before half-time before David Clarkson saw red for elbowing substitute Paul Caddis.

Motherwell's hopes of getting a point were extinguished when former Fir Park favourite Scott McDonald doubled Celtic's advantage that took them five points clear of Rangers, who play Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said his team had looked mentally tired in the first-half.

“I would've been happy going in at half-time 0-0 so to get a goal just before the break was a real bonus,” Strachan said.

“I thought from there until we scored the second goal we played very well. Then when the second goal went in you could see all the players relaxing.”

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee said he was disappointed with his side's performance.

“I don't feel we looked like a team that was going to beat Celtic,” McGhee said.

“I came here today thinking we could beat Celtic but I knew we would have to play better than that. It was a performance that wasn't as good as I hoped and I know we can do.”

Celtic made only one change from the side that drew with Manchester United with Mark Brown replacing Artur Boruc in goal as the Polish keeper prepares for knee surgery next week.

In the opening stages the Celtic players looked tired and it was Motherwell who thought they had taken the lead in the 12th minute.

John Sutton's header looked to have crossed the line before Shaun Maloney got his head to it to clear it. David Clarkson then picked up the rebound in the box and fired in a low drive which Mark Brown did well to save.

Scott Brown then came close for Celtic when he slammed a McDonald cut back from the byeline off the post.

McDonald was next to try his luck with a shot on the turn from about 25 yards out which forced a superb one-handed save from Graeme Smith before Motherwell striker Chris Porter saw his header from a Steven Hammell corner go inches by the far post.

McDonald thought he had scored after 44 minutes when he headed home at the back post from a Paul Hartley cross but his effort was ruled out for a foul on Paul Quinn.

Celtic took the lead with seconds of the half remaining through Hartley. The midfielder controlled a headed clearance on his chest and then rifled in a low drive past Smith from 20 yards.

Motherwell were reduced to ten men in the 58th minute when Clarkson appeared to catch substitute Paul Caddis in the face with his arm after he lashed out when the Celtic defender pulled him back by the shirt.

Celtic doubled their advantage after 70 minutes through former Motherwell striker McDonald. The ball broke to him on the edge of the box and he unleashed a low drive which flew under the arms of Smith.

Caddis came close with a curling effort in the 80th minute and sub Koki Mizuno, on for his debut, hit an effort just over the bar in injury time as Celtic dominated the final period.

At Easter Road Inverness Caledonian Thistle defeated Hibernian 2-1 with goals from Don Cowie and Ian Black and a late strike from Hibs striker Derek Riordan.

Hamilton and Falkirk played out a 1-1 draw at New Douglas Park with goals from James McCarthy and Bairns striker Michael Higdon.

Dundee United held on to third place in the SPL after they defeated Aberdeen 2-1 at Tannadice with goals from Francisco Sandaza and Warren Fenney before Darren Mackie scored the Dons consolation goal.

Hearts defeated St Mirren 1-0 at Love Street with a late goal from Eggert Jonsson.