GLASGOW: Celtic needed a second half penalty from substitute Kris Commons to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw with Motherwell as their stuttering start to the season continued.
The Hoops dominated early possession but it was Motherwell who took a 19th minute lead when John Sutton volleyed home Josh Law’s cross from close range.
The English striker should have had another minutes later but somehow sliced his effort wide from four yards out.
Ronny Deila had handed a host of first team stars a rest following their Europa League exertions away to Salzburg on Thursday but brought captain Scott Brown and Commons off the bench at the break. The pair combined to haul Celtic back on level terms as Brown won a 68th minute penalty that Commons converted.
Celtic continued to push for a winner but a series of saves by Motherwell keeper Dan Twardzik earned his side a point that leaves Celtic in fourth place, five points behind leaders Dundee United who thrashed rivals Dundee 4-1 yesterday. It was not the 39th birthday present manager Deila would have wanted and leaves him with just five wins from his first 13 matches in charge of the Scottish champions.
“I’m not happy with the result. We wanted to win the match and I think we deserved it in the end but we made it so difficult for ourselves as the first half was so poor,” the Celtic manager said.
“I think in the second half we had two good subs coming on who brought energy into the game and I think we played quite well.”
Motherwell manager Stuart McCall was delighted to end a nine match losing streak at Celtic Park. AFP
