Cameron Carter-Vickers Returns as Celtic Claim Top Spot with 3-0 Win

Celtic moved back to the top of the Scottish Premiership with a hard-fought 3-0 win against Motherwell at Fir Park.

Celtic opened the scoring thanks to a beautiful goal from McCowan, who marked his first league start for the Hoops with a goal.

It was a goal involving two summer signings, with Alex Valle moving to find McCowan.

However, the former Dundee captain had plenty to do, weaving past a number of Motherwell players and then calmly slotting the ball past Aston Oxborough in the Well goal.

🤥 “Well that was clear…”

Bit of confusion as Celtic thought they’d doubled their lead but the goal was disallowed for handball – although should they have had a penalty? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/zqdKWgkAqG

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 27, 2024

Motherwell did have chances before the goal, with midfielder Lennon Miller striking the post and the bar, but Stuart Kettlewell’s side were unable to get past the in-form Kasper Schmeichel.

Controversy would strike just before halftime when the Hoops weren’t awarded a penalty after Daizen Maeda was through on goal, one-on-one with Aston Oxborough.

Motherwell defender Stephen O’Donnell fouled the Japanese winger by pushing him to the ground, denying him a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

With the ball hitting Maeda’s hand and going into the goal, it was originally awarded as a penalty by David Dickinson; however, VAR official Alan Muir overruled Dickinson but failed to send him to the monitor to review the foul.

🤥 “Well that was clear…”

Bit of confusion as Celtic thought they’d doubled their lead but the goal was disallowed for handball – although should they have had a penalty? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/zqdKWgkAqG

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 27, 2024

Celtic did, however, take control in the second half despite VAR issues, with Alistair Johnston heading home a wonderful cross from Alex Valle in a great combination from fullback to fullback.

🤩 “A fabulous second goal!”

Alistair Johnston makes it 2-0 with a powerful header ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/35Jyy1mkyP

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 27, 2024

In a welcome sign for all Celtic supporters, Cameron Carter-Vickers made his long-awaited return from injury, replacing Alex Valle in the second half.

Substitute Adam Idah would end any chance of a Well comeback with a goal in the 88th minute after a wonderful drive from Nicolas Kuhn, who played the ball along the Motherwell box, with the Irishman firing past Oxborough at the near post with a superb finish.

The Game would end with further drama after Liam Gordon was sent off for a horror challenge on Adam Idah, with VAR reviewing Dickinson’s original booking and upgrading it to a red card.

😬 “That’s a shocker!”

Liam Gordon’s yellow card is upgraded to a red and Motherwell will end the Game with 10 🟥 pic.twitter.com/DsXrnX5VzT

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 27, 2024

Idah struggled to finish the game after such a brutal and unnecessary tackle.

Hopefully the Irish striker will be ok for Dundee on Wednesday night at Celtic Park.