Celtic have learned their lesson from Motherwell as they once again missed the chance to finish 2025 level at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
It was Wilfried Nancy’s second chance to catch Hearts in the lead, but Hearts were second best at the first whistle at Fir Park.
Ibrahim Said took the lead after converting a fine cross from Stephen O’Donnell, before Elliott Watt again took advantage of Celtic’s poor defending to double the lead.
The Hoops were limited to just three shots on target against Jens Berthel Askou’s side, who always seemed to be in control.
They are currently just three points behind Rangers and their next game against the Old Firm on Saturday will be shown live on Sky Sports. Motherwell maintained their fourth place with their first win against Celtic since 2013.
Classy vs. Disastrous
Stephen O’Donnell set up Ibrahim Said (right) for Motherwell’s first goal.
Nancy was outwitted by Jens Berthel Askou. He has lost fewer games than his opponents as Motherwell manager since joining Celtic midway through the season.
By the time O’Donnell looped a long cross behind the Celtic defense in the 14th minute and Said headed home from seven yards, Motherwell were already in the lead.
While the traveling fans vented their frustrations at the board meeting, the home team maintained their lead for the remainder of the first half.
The hosts had chances to extend their lead before the break, recording six shots in total. Lukas Fedinger hit back unnecessarily after going clean through, but with just two shots on goal, Johnny Kutrumbis’ low drive was saved by Schmeichel.
Motherwell were underwhelming in their possession stats in the first half, but looked much more purposeful on the ball, even if there were moments in their own half that made the fans nervous.
Halftime felt like a big test of Nancy’s ability to influence the game, as she made three substitutions. Makoto Yamada, Arne Engels and Luke McCowan were appointed in place of Maeda, Bernardo and Kieran Tierney.
“Motherwell were sensational. It was the greatest performance I’ve ever seen against an Old Firm team.”
Sky Sports reporter Gordon Duncan
Celtic had a big chance when the previously ineffective Benjamin Nygren played in Yamada, although he soon had an effort saved on the break. The Japanese striker was still searching for his first goal in Scottish football after Callum Ward halted an unconvincing effort.
Celtic’s frustration was on display when Auston Trusty, standard bearer Anthony Ralston, was booked for a cynical foul, but the hosts extended their lead to two points in the 58th minute.
Elliott Watt scores Motherwell’s second goal against Celtic
Schmeichel played a loose pass to Engels, and with just an interception the ball broke and Watt brought it home.
Nancy made all the changes by midway through the first half as Colby Donovan and James Forrest were introduced.
But Motherwell continued to threaten at the break, with Schmeichel saving from Just and Slattery.
Celtic’s frustration grew. Trusty pushed his opponent twice but avoided a second yellow card, while Scales was booked for his sixth foul.
The visiting team finally felt the pressure and looked to have given Celtic a lifeline when Nygren curled a shot into the top corner, but Ward pounced and touched the ball, completing his seventh clean sheet in eight games.
Motherwell Boss’s “Statement” No Victory
MOTHERWELL, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 30: Motherwell manager Jens Bartel Askou celebrates Elliot Watt’s goal to make it 2-0 during the William Hill Premiership match between Motherwell and Celtic on December 30, 2025 at Fir Park in Motherwell, Scotland. (P
Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou told Sky Sports News:
“This is probably our best overall performance so far in this league. We knew we probably needed that to win one of the games against the big teams who have done well in the past, but we only won one game here, against Hibs.
“Overall there was a very, very good performance today and a great performance from the players.
“I’m very happy, but it’s not a statement result for us. We’re not in the business of announcing results match by match. It’s for the fans, and the fans will give the players individual attention and so on.”
“The important thing for us is to get results throughout the season. Everything in between is a result and they count the same, but it means a lot to everyone who supports us.”
Nancy ‘confident’ Celtic will improve
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Wilfried Nancy has insisted he is confident he can turn his time at Celtic around despite a disappointing loss to Motherwell in the Premiership.
Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy told Sky Sports News:
“I can’t use the word setback because we knew where we were, we knew where we wanted to go and we knew this game could be difficult.
“Tonight we play a good team all together. We have to analyze and see what we need to improve on.
“Every game tells me where I want to be. Last week’s game gave me a lot of information and tonight’s game also gave me a lot of information.
“Again, the objective is to observe and think about what we need to do to improve.
“We will continue to try, this is the only thing I can do: analyze the situation, analyze the match.
“I’m confident we’ll get better.”
