Atajic is the star as Stokes and Gershon turn out for u-20’s

Celtic bounced back from losing an early penalty to defeat Motherwell 3-1 and leapfrog Dundee United to the top of the table.

A wonder goal from Paul George levelled the scores before the hoops went in front thanks to a Patrik Twardzik penalty before Bahrudin Atajic secured the points four minutes from the end.

Anthony Stokes and Rami Gershon were given 45 and 61 minutes respectively in a match almost ruined by some pathetic refereeing from Nick Walsh who seems destined to fast tracked through the ranks.

These type of games rarely see any cards but Walsh was finding problems all over the place with Atajic’s booking for simulation a particularly poor decision.

Motherwell took the lead in the 16th minute with a cheeky Pirlo style penalty from Kalum Higginbotham after Stuart Findlay had sent a visiting forward crashing to the deck just inside the penalty box.

For 15 minutes Motherell controlled the game with Celtic looking well out of sorts.

Omar Daley was causing most of the trouble down the Motherwell left flank with Darnell Fisher having his hands full trying to contain the international winger.

Without any real warning Celtic drew level in the 33rd minute through George. Picking the ball up out wide on the left he cut inside then sent a great 30 yard diagonal shot high across goalkeeper Ross Stewart into the postage stamp corner of the net.

Shortly afterwards Stokes chipped a 20 yard free kick onto the roof of the net with George then created a chance for Atajic that was blocked with Lewis Kidd sending the rebound wide of goal.

Rami Gershon was replaced by Callum Waters at half-time with the Israeli internationalist barely involved at left-back.

Celtic started the second half on the attack with Atajic shooting into the side net in the 52nd minute following good link up play with Fisher down the right.

Stokes saw a free kick deflected over the bar on the hour mark before being replaced by Twardzik a minute later.

Atajic picked up a ridiculous yellow carded for simulation in the 65 minute but was brought down in the box with 12 minutes left to play with Twardzik sending Stewart the wrong way as the ball hit the back of the net.

Four minutes from time Atajic got his reward for a great 90 minutes when he slipped past two Motherwell defenders in one move then curled a right foot shot around Stewart into the corner of the net.

Next week Celtic are in action away to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

CELTIC: Thomson; Fisher, Fraser, Findlay, Gershon (Waters 46); Slane, Miller, Kidd, George; Atajic, Stokes (P Twardzik 61)

SUBS:  Fasan,  O’Connell, Henderson, Johnstone,

MOTHERWELL: Stewart, Kerr, Francis-Angol, Cummins, Saunders, Watt, Daley, Carswell, Hetherington, Higginbotham and Moore

SUBS: Currie, Asghar, Murray, Leitch, McCafferty, Shirkie, Johnstone