By Paul Marshall
December 21 2003

Motherwell lost 2 - 0 to Celtic, their fourth defeat in a row without even managing a goal. Terry Butcher made one change from the side that lost to Hibernian last Saturday. Jason Dair made way for 18 year old Paul Quinn. Celtic strikers , Henrik Larrsson, Chris Sutton and John Hartson all started the match despite not being fully fit.


Celtic came out of the traps quicker and went in front after just 3 minutes on the clock. John Hartson pounced onto a Sutton cross when the Motherwell defence were caught ball watching.


Motherwell were given the chance to draw level when referee John Underhill awarded a penalty after Clarkson was brought down in the area by Johan Mjallby but Derek Adams shot was saved by Rab Douglas.


Celtic sealed the win with 20 minutes remaining through a Alan Thompson free kick. The visitors were awarded the kick when Petrov, up to his old tricks dived at the edge of the box.


Motherwell's poor run of form is getting worse by the week as our stats below show.

Stats

Matches since a win - 6

Matches since a goal - 4

Defeats in a row - 4





Before the match, the draw for the 3rd round of the Tennents Scottish Cup was made. Motherwell have been handed a tough away trip to McDiarmid Park to face St Johnstone.

Full draw


Dunfermline v Dundee United

Raith Rovers v Kilmarnock

Celtic v Ross County

East Fife v Queen of the South

Hearts v Berwick Rangers

Morton or Vale of Leithen v Partick Thistle

St Johnstone v Motherwell

Stranraer or Hamilton Academical v Cowdenbeath

Clyde v Gretna

Livingston v Montrose or Threave Rovers

Aberdeen v Dundee

Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Brechin City

Ayr United v Falkirk

St Mirren v Airdrie United

Hibernian v Rangers

Arbroath v Alloa or Spartans