BREN: THERE ISNOEXCUSE
GOALS HAS HOOPS BOILING WITH RAGE
the substitution could be made, Liam Grimshaw launched a quick throw-in up the line to Scott who raced in on goal as Celts expected to be given back possession.
The young striker took on a shot, well saved by Scott Bain, but the keeper could do nothing to prevent Ariyibi knocking in the rebound.
But the goal stood and the Celtic defence had been breached for the first time in a domestic match since the Old Firm clash on December 29. Ajer was still seething as he flew into Ariyibi and all of a sudden the match exploded into life.
Scott was replaced by Conor Sammon in the 65th minute and went off to a cacophony of boos and whistles. Unsurprisingly, Tierney had tired and came off for Johnny Hayes.
But the fluency had evaporated from Celtic’s play and the feeling of resentment still rolled round the stadium as tried for an equaliser.
The challenges continued to fly in and McHugh’s afternoon ended on a stretcher after Edouard clattered into him. As the Irishman was being treated, Bitton and Robinson were exchanging verbals before Liam Donnelly entered the fray for the stricken substitute.
Robinson’s men pushed forward but that left them open to the counter-attack and Campbell was booked for a blatant trip on Edouard as he burst through. The Frenchman swerved a superb 25-yard free-kick in off the underside of the bar.
Finally it was all over bar the shouting. Burke’s fine sweeping finish from Forrest’s pass just as the fourth official’s board showed nine minutes of injury time to pile on the agony for Well. FROM BACK PAGE win 4-1 with an Odsonne Edouard double between Scott Sinclair and Oliver Burke strikes.
But the 52nd-minute incident soured the contest and afterwards Rodgers was in an unforgiving mood accusing Motherwell of lacking sportsmanship and hinting Robinson should have ordered his team to concede a goal right after they scored.
The Celtic boss said: “I didn’t ask him (Robinson). That’s Stephen’s job as a leader to initiate that.
“It looked like their goalkeeper ran over to ask what was going to happen but they were happy enough to push on and give themselves a chance in the game.
“Referees get criticised a lot up here but you have to shine a light onto the players at Motherwell. It was a real disappointing act.
“We don’t see something like that hardly at all now in the game but we focused and ended up scoring two top-class goals after that. It’s a huge credit to the players for the victory.
“It’s a difficult one for the referee because it’s not the referee’s job. The rightback, in fairness to him, has tried to throw it back into the space for Kieran to run into but the young striker has taken it and attacked the goal.
“That’s where the credit comes in for my players. It was a real injustice.
“We’re disappointed with the action. But I’m so proud of the players with the way they did react and got the win.”
Scott, 18, was making his first start but Rodgers wasn’t prepared to excuse his lack of experience.
He added: “If he’s old enough to play and start.
“You know, Ewan Henderson is a kid as well. Nah, he knows exactly what he is doing, he’s played in football games before. He’ll learn from it.
“I’m disappointed for him. He’s making his first start for Motherwell. But there’s no excuse.
“I’m disappointed for my players. We’ve kept clean sheets domestically, focused on defending and that’s a goal that goes against our work.
“But more importantly it’s a goal that goes against the ethics of the game.
“Motherwell had a chance to do something about it and chose not to.”
Rodgers, linked heavily with the Leicester City job within minutes of Claude Puel’s sacking yesterday, played down the reports and insisted his focus is purely on his job in Glasgow.
The Celtic manager is the bookies favourite and it was reported in England last night the club have a £9million compensation clause in Rodgers’ contract should he leave.
But Rodgers said: “My position hasn’t changed. I’ve spoken to you a number of times on these things.
“My focus today was for Celtic and the players. It was very important for us to get three points and keep the momentum going. The players showed guts, determination and spirit, as well as quality. “
The one concern for Rodgers was another injury with midfielder Ryan Christie suffering a hamstring problem.
But he heaped praised on Henderson, who was outstanding in his first start.
Rodgers added: “He’s got physical development to come but he was a joy to watch, his touch and control of the game. His ball for the goal was sensational and he played with real maturity.”