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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Andy McGilvray

Celtic 1, Motherwell 1: Van Veen is the hero again as Well take battling point

Motherwell battled for a very good point against Celtic at Celtic Park, ahead of the Premiership split.

Kevin van Veen levelled Callum McGregor's deflected first-half strike to take a well deserved draw back to Lanarkshire.

It resembled the Alamo at times as relentless Celtic pressure was piled on the Motherwell defence throughout, but they stood up well to that onslaught, and Liam Kelly made crucial saves when needed.

It wasn't so much of a smash-and-grab by Motherwell though, who created decent chances othger than their goal, and could have scored again.

Captain McGregor's deflected effort got Celtic on their way in 24 minutes, and it was no more than the hosts deserved at that point.

But Motherwell were much more adventurous in the second half and drew level inside 10 minutes through van Veen's 24th goal of a highly impressive season.

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou made one change to the side that beat Kilmarnock 4-1 on Sunday, as Cameron Carter-Vickers replaced Yuki Kobayashi.

Celtic's Daizen Maeda went close early in the first half (SNS Group)

Motherwell gaffer Stuart Kettlewell made two changes from the side that lost 2-1 at home to Dundee United last weekend. Callum Slattery and Harry Paton came in for Dean Cornelius and Mikael Mandron.

Motherwell started well and Kevin van Veen had a shot blocked inside the opening five minutes, with Blair Spittal firing the rebound over.

Celtic had chances as you might expect, but Motherwell defended well in the opening stages.

The hosts created their best chance in 17 minutes when captain Callum McGregor's cross was headed by Daizen Maeda, but clawed round the left post by Liam Kelly.

Alistair Johnston's driven cross from the right was touched away from Maeda in 19 minutes, withy the Celtic man sliding into the left post seconds later - thankfully he was able to continue.

Callum McGregor gave Celtic the lead with a deflected shot midway through the first half (SNS Group)

But the hosts took the lead in 24 minutes when McGregor's rifled shot took a wicked deflection to spin past Kelly and into the bottom right corner.

Sead Haksabanovic's cross was then prodded past the left post by Maeda in 31 minutes.

Greg Taylor had a go from just outside the box in 42 minutes, but it was well held by Kelly.

Kyogo let fly with a shot that flew inches wide of the right post, with Kelly at full stretch, as Celtic tried to turn the screw in 48 minutes.

But Motherwell drew level in 55 minutes when van Veen was sent clear on the right, took the ball in his stride and clipped a superb shot past Joe Hart and into the left corner.

Kevin van Veen levelled for Motherwell 10 minutes into the second half (SNS Group)

Celtic nearly regained their lead in 61 minutes when Kyogo was sent through on goal, but Kelly came off his line superbly to block.

Van Veen went on a mazy run moments later, but this time Hart saved his low effort.

Kelly came to the rescue to somehow block a Carter-Vickers header from an O'Riley corner in 76 minutes.

Kelly saved from a Carl Starfelt header in 80 minutes as Celtic searched for a winner.

Substitute Oh should have won the game for Celtic with just two minutes left, but headed a cross from the right past the far post with the goal gaping.

Seven minutes of stoppage time was added at the end, giving Celtic hope of finding a winner, but Motherwell held on.

CELTIC: Hart, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor (Turnbull, 87), McGregor, Iwata (Mooy, 64), O'Riley (Vata, 79), Haksabanovic (Oh, 64), Maeda, Kyogo.

Subs (not used): Bain (GK), Kobayashi, Bernabei, Summers, Ralston.

MOTHERWELL: Kelly, Johnston, McGinn, Butcher, Casey (Blaney, 50), Furlong (O'Donnell, 79), Goss, Slattery (Aitchison, 90+2), Paton (Miller, 79), Spittal, van Veen.

Subs (not used): Oxborough (GK), Lamie, Mugabi, McKinstry, Mandron, Miller.

Booked: Paton (74), Slattery (81), van Veen (90+4).

Referee: John Beaton.

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