With one match left to play Celtic beat Motherwell 3-1 at Stirling Albion’s Forthbank Stadium to move level on points with Hibs who completed their Reserve League campaign with a 3-1 win away to Dunfermline. The Edinburgh side are on 35 points with a goal difference of plus 27, four more than Celtic.
Attention will switch to Murray Park tomorrow where a one goal win for Graeme Murty’s starlets will see them draw level on points and edge one ahead of Celtic on goal difference.
Motherwell had moved onto 33 points last week but lacked a cutting edge as Tommy McIntyre’s side made up for last week’s defeat in the Glasgow derby to move on to 35 points, today’s match was Motherwell’s final fixture.
Celtic have one match remaining, against St Johnstone while Murty’s side face Falkirk with those fixtures still to be scheduled.
Celtic wasted no time as they chased the points and goals with a fourth minute strike from Armstrong Oko Flex. Sent in behind the ‘Well defence he never hesitated with his shot to find the net from 12 yards out.
Celtic had a few more chances as the match developed but the fiery pitch was partly responsible for some rushed finishing with Motherwell rarely a threat.
A minute before the break Celtic doubled their lead, PJ Crossan broke from midway inside the Motherwell half then slammed in a low 25 yard drive across the keeper and inside his right hand post.
The only downside was an early leg injury to Kerr McInroy which saw him replaced by Barry Coffey after 19 minutes.
Early in the second half Oko Flex sent a shot wide of the post but in the 65th minute Mikey Johnston completed a great solo run with a low drive into the net from 15 yards out.
Motherwell were probably worthy of a goal with Conor Sammon netting in the 88th minute with what could prove a significant strike in the tightest of league races.
CELTIC: Mullen; Ralston, Welsh, Duffy, Church; McInroy (Coffey 19) (Deas 90), McLaughlin (Robertson 89); Johnston, Henderson, Oko Flex; Crossan
SUBS Willison, Diver
Here’s the Motherwell reserve team to face Celtic in their final match of the SPFL Reserve League season.
Kick off at Stirling is at 2pm. Goal updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/376sE9mHg9
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) April 22, 2019