Premier Sports Cup
Quarter-final
Fir Park, Motherwell
Wednesday, October 19, 2022

MOTHERWELL… 0

CELTIC… 4
(Abada 44 & 55, Hatate 60, Kyogo 75)

Celtic progressed to the semi-final of the Premier Sports Cup with an impressive performance to beat Motherwell 4-0 at Fir Park tonight (Wednesday).

Liel Abada hit a double, while there were also goals from Reo Hatate and Kyogo in what was a dominant display from Ange Postecoglou's side.

It was the cup holders who quickly began to control the game in the first-half, and they looked dangerous every time they went forward.

Kyogo could have given the Hoops the lead in the 12th minute when he connected with a Reo Hatate pass across the six-yard box, but his effort went narrowly wide.

And just seven minutes later, the Celtic striker went even closer when a powerful left-foot shot from the edge of the box crashed off the bar, with Liel Abada unable to convert the rebound with a header which Motherwell goalkeeper, Liam Kelly, was grateful to gather.

Two minutes after that, Celtic carved the home side open with some crisp and quick passing, and Josip Juranovic set up Aaron Mooy, but his effort was well saved by Kelly.

With nearly 25 minutes gone, Motherwell had a great chance to take the lead when Connor Shields floated a cross from the goal-line to Stuart McKinstry, who was unmarked at the back post. But he blazed a first-time shot over the bar.

Just before the half-hour mark, Celtic surged forward, with Hatate and Kyogo combining well on the edge of the box. The ball was slipped through to Kyogo, but his effort from eight yards out was saved by Kelly.

Just before the break, Sean Goss had an effort from outside the area which didn’t trouble Ben Siegrist in the Celtic goal.

And just 60 seconds later, Celtic took the lead through Liel Abada.

Sead Haksabanovic and Greg Taylor played a great-one two inside the box, with Taylor showing great awareness to cut the ball across the six-yard box for the incoming Abada to slot the ball home.

Impressive Celts book League Cup semi-final slot