Late Sinclair penalty keeps Celtic unbeaten record intact

MOTHERWELL 1 CELTIC 1

CELTIC can take their unbeaten run in domestic games to 67 – that iconic number for the club – when they take on Motherwell again on Saturday after coming within a few minutes of defeat against the Steelmen at Fir Park.

Trailing through Mikael Lustig’s own goal, Brendan Rodgers’ Bhoys were staring defeat in the face.

However, for the second time in three days against Celtic, Motherwell were undone by a penalty kick – again involving Scott Sinclair – although this time converted by the winger after Andy Rose was adjudged to have fouled Callum McGregor.

Prior to last Sunday’s Scottish League Cup final at Hampden, there had been no meetings of Motherwell and Celtic this season.

LEGEND

Now, like the intermittent buses of legend, along come three in a row, with the final instalment at Parkhead.

It took a near-impossible save from Trevor Carson in first-half injury-time to keep the game scoreless at the break when Kieran Tierney seemed certain to find the net from eight yards.

Somehow, though, Carson dived to meet the ball on the ground with a firm glove that forced Tierney’s attempt over the crossbar, to disbelief.

Celtic raised their tempo in the second period and frantic Motherwell defending kept Leigh Griffiths and James Forrest at bay.

In the 79th minute, Motherwell substitute Craig Tanner struck a dangerous free-kick into the Celtic box, where Lustig’s unfortunate contact threatened to end Celtic’s phenomenal record, only for Sinclair to extract redemption from the spot.