Celtic achieved a convincing 3-0 victory over Motherwell on Sunday, reclaiming the top spot in the Scottish Premiership. Following a positive performance against Atalanta in the Champions League, Brendan Rodgers’ team continued their momentum, with Luke McCowan scoring early and setting the tone for a strong performance.
The match highlighted the depth of Celtic’s midfield. With Callum McGregor absent due to a minor abductor issue, it gave McCowan, Reo Hatate, and Paulo Bernardo the chance to step up. McCowan’s performance was particularly impressive, especially given the additional pressure of filling McGregor’s shoes. He played a solid 75 minutes before being substituted, while Bernardo, who played the full game, showed promise as he adjusted to McGregor’s usual number six role.
After the game, former Celtic player and pundit Chris Sutton praised McCowan’s “terrific” finish and noted that Bernardo “grew into his role.” Sutton pointed out the importance of McGregor to the team, mentioning how the Scottish international has made the defensive midfield role look “easy,” and emphasizing that filling his position is no simple task. Sutton’s comments reflect McGregor’s pivotal role at Celtic, where he has been one of the team’s most consistent players and a crucial component of their domestic success over recent years.
Brendan Rodgers also spoke about McGregor’s absence prior to the match, explaining that the captain was held out mainly as a precaution. “He just felt a little bit in his abductor yesterday,” Rodgers explained, noting the high volume of games McGregor has played recently. Given his extensive minutes, the decision was made to rest McGregor rather than risk aggravating the issue.
McGregor’s absence allowed Rodgers to assess other midfield options. Bernardo, although still adjusting to the team, showed resilience and growth as the game progressed. Meanwhile, McCowan capitalized on his opportunity, impressing fans and pundits alike. With performances like this, Rodgers can be more confident about squad depth, knowing that others are ready to step up when needed.
For Celtic, the win over Motherwell was more than just a return to the top of the table; it was a demonstration of the team’s adaptability and potential without their captain.