McCourt puts Hoops top

Paddy McCourt
12 April 2012

Celtic went top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier league with a 1-0 win over Motherwell at Parkhead but saw skipper Scott Brown sent off which will see him miss Sunday's Old Firm game at Ibrox.

Paddy McCourt's first-half strike separated the sides but the Hoops should have had at least another three in a one-sided first half. The home side looked less impressive after the break but while they never looked like losing they received a late blow in the 89th minute when Brown, just back in the team after a lengthy injury and booked earlier for a foul on Chris Humphrey, received a second yellow for a foul on Stevie Hammell.

Celtic, who also saw substitute Daryl Murphy limp off injured, are now one point clear of Rangers, albeit having played two games more than the champions, but manager Neil Lennon will have to look for a replacement for the hot-headed Brown.

For their part, Motherwell, expected to confirm Stuart McCall as their new manager on Thursday morning, were poor again and will need some reorganising by the former Scotland international.

Lennon had Olivier Kapo in attack alongside Anthony Stokes, with what was yet another strike-pairing, but it was defender Emilio Izaguirre who had a great chance in the second minute when Well keeper Darren Randolph spilled a low Joe Ledley drive. However, despite facing an open goal less than six yards out, the Honduran left-back somehow blasted over the bar.

The Lanarkshire men were simply looking to regroup after their painful home defeat by Rangers but they were under siege as Celtic swarmed around their box. Kapo had the ball in the net in the 12th minute only to be ruled offside, seconds before McCourt headed wide of the target.

Motherwell looked bereft of hope, belief and confidence and it was not surprise when, in the 27th minute, Celtic took the lead with the inspirational McCourt breaking the deadlock.

After yet another Hoops corner had the Fir Park men pinned back in to their own penalty area, the Northern Ireland international took a pass from Mark Wilson, drifted in to the box and almost casually curled a right-footed shot from 16 yards in to the far corner past Randolph.

In the 58th minute, as the home defence came under some pressure, Marc Fitzpatrick got on the end of a Humphrey cross but failed to connect properly from six yards and the ball bounced in to the arms of Celtic keeper Fraser Forster.

There were some nerves in the final stages and in the 89th minute Brown, booked earlier, was sent packing by referee Stephen Finnie after a challenge on Hammell to take the shine of Celtic going top of the table.

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