CELTIC returned from Thursday’s historic win on Italian soil, with a comfortable 2-0 win over Motherwell at Paradise. A well-struck right-foot from Odsonne Edouard and an own goal from Richard Tait dispelled any concerns of a European hangover, as the Scottish champions retained their place at the top of the Premiership.

Here, we look at five quick-fire talking points from Celtic’s fine display against the Steelmen.

FEELING FRESH
Neil Lennon’s Celtic showed little sign of a European hangover three days after their incredible 2-1 Europa League win over Lazio in Rome. From Fraser Forster in goal, through to Odsonne Edouard up top, the Scottish champions pressed the game from start to finish, held their shape, defended well and created plenty of scoring opportunities at the opposite end. It finished 2-0 on the day, but it really could have been more.

FRIMPONG ON FIRE
In for the injured Hatem Elhamed at right-back, Jeremie Frimpong continued his fine vein of form against the Steelmen. Equally adept in defence and attack, the young Dutchman paired particularly well with James Forrest in front of him, and the two regularly looked a threat on the overlap down the right flank for their 67 minutes on the pitch. With 10 minutes to go, Frimpong was unfortunate not to score.

BROWN AT 550
Having joined Celtic’s elusive 500-club at the tail-end of 2018, Celtic’s captain marvel Scott Brown marked his 550th outing for the Scottish champions with a commanding performance in central midfield. So much is said about Broony’s aggression and determination in the middle of the pitch, and rightly so, but his vision and pinpoint passing ability cannot be praised enough.

FRENCH FANCIES
Following their combined form in Rome, both Odsonne Edouard and Olivier Ntcham returned to domestic action in style – the former with a goal, and the latter with a typically cultured shift in the centre of the pitch. Midweek goal hero Ntcham worked tirelessly from back to front against the Fir Park side, while French Eddy returned to the scoresheet by bagging his 12th of the season so far.

AIR JULLIEN
Christopher Jullien has become the linchpin of Celtic’s defence since joining Paradise in the summer transfer window, and is a colossus in the air. While sitting deep for the majority of the match, Motherwell’s only real threat at the home side’s goal came via wide areas, but the towering Frenchman was more than a match for everything that came his way.

5 quick-fire talking points from confident Motherwell victory