The visitors immediately went looking for a second after the restart. McGregor made a clever run into the penalty area before delivering a right-footed cross towards Kasper Høgh, but the Dane was unable to direct his effort towards goal.

There was another sustained spell of Celtic pressure in the 52nd minute. Colby Donovan tried his luck from distance and forced Paulsen to parry the ball wide, before Tierney's low left-footed effort was also kept out by the Motherwell goalkeeper.

Moments later McGregor's curling strike was blocked inside the area by Fadinger. There was a brief VAR check for a possible handball, but play continued.

Celtic kept pushing, with Tierney and Sebastian Tounekti combining well down the left before the full-back's delivery found Baur. His header was saved by Paulsen.

Baur then came even closer when Tounekti drove another low ball into the six-yard box. The midfielder appeared to back-heel the delivery towards goal, but the ball came back off the top of the post.

The pressure finally told in the 58th minute.

Baur won possession as Motherwell looked to attack, allowing Celtic to break five against three. His pass towards Høgh appeared to have been cut out by Stephen O'Donnell, but the striker won the ball back before driving into the box and squaring for Nygren. The Swedish midfielder showed excellent composure to take the ball around Paulsen before curling it into the top corner for his seventh goal of the season and Celtic's deserved second.

Durán almost added another immediately afterwards when he capitalised on a mix-up in the Motherwell penalty area. He attempted to round Paulsen, but his subsequent cross could not find a team-mate.

McGregor was then denied a spectacular third in the 69th minute. The captain collected possession outside the box, shifted the ball on to his left foot and drove towards the top corner, only for Paulsen to produce an excellent diving save.

There was a special moment for Jota with 17 minutes remaining when the winger replaced Tounekti to make his first Celtic appearance in 533 days following his long-term knee injury.

The Portuguese was given a thunderous reception by the travelling support as he also registered his 100th appearance for the club. Haissem Hassan and Shin Mheuka were introduced at the same time, replacing Durán and Høgh.

Hassan almost created Celtic's third four minutes later with some brilliant footwork inside the box before flashing the ball across goal, where Mheuka was inches away from turning it home.

Oliver Sørensen replaced Nygren in the 78th minute, before Mheuka had an opportunity of his own after pouncing on a loose ball from Fadinger. The young forward drove towards goal but was eventually crowded out as Paulsen blocked the effort.

Jordan Lotomba replaced Tierney in the closing stages, while Jota almost marked his return with an assist in the final minute when he cut on to his right foot and crossed for Sørensen, whose header was tipped over by Paulsen.

It completed a commanding afternoon for Celtic, who secured a deserved 2-0 victory and returned to the top of the Premiership table.

Martin O’Neill’s side now turn their attention to European action and a trip to Lisbon to face Benfica in the UEFA Europa League.

Champions two goals and three points to the good at Fir Park