Hoops are maul ready for Europe
Celtic
CHAMPIONS Celtic celebrated trophy day with a merciless mauling of Motherwell.
The Hoops clinched their 10th Premiership title in 11 years at Dundee United last time out to ensure a party in the final game of the season at Parkhead yesterday.
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou, a Premiership and League Cup winner in his first season in charge, has transformed a club who slipped 25 points behind Rangers last season – finishing four ahead of their great rivals this time out.
The Aussie is eyeing a Champions League run next season and he said: “We all know there’s many ways to win a football match but for this club, reading through the history, they want to see a team winning every week and fans getting off their seats.
“It’s a about winning - but winning in a certain way. We had a real clarity of purpose and tunnel vision all year.
“This club deserves to be in the Champions League – but we’ve got to make an impact in Europe.”
Motherwell already had their place in the qualifiers for the Europa Conference League, but they will want to forget this game in a hurry.
Celtic broke through in the 22nd minute when Victor Nirennold miskicked a deep corner from Jota and Kyogo Furuhashi wasted no time rifling a low drive past keeper Liam Kelly.
Furuhashi struck again before half-time after David Turnbull had added a second and Motherwell had to regroup at the interval.
But it was still one-way traffic after Jota latched onto a loose ball to sweep home. Then, amid a slew of substitutions, Tom Rogic was given a standing ovation from the fans and embraced by team-mates as he went off for the last time. Celtic kept going and in the 68th minute the Steelmen’s defence allowed Giorgos Giakoumakis to bury a close-range overhead kick.
There were more cheers in the 85th minute when the outgoing Nir Bitton took over from captain Callum Mcgregor and he enjoyed his final moments in green and white as Giakoumakis bundled in No.6 in added time.
Ex-england keeper Joe Hart said: “We worked hard from the off. The manager had strong principles and it doesn’t matter who you are – you work. I live in the moment and this is my moment. I couldn’t be happier to be here.
“I didn’t think I’d be in the Champions League again but I’ll put myself at the front of the queue and hopefully I’ll be in goal for it.”