Motherwell vs Celtic. Scottish Premiership.
Fir ParkAttendance9,164.
Thursday 30 November 2017 13:02, UK
Substitute Scott Sinclair's 88th-minute penalty gave Celtic a dramatic 1-1 Scottish Premiership draw at Motherwell on Wednesday and extended their unbeaten domestic run to 66 games.
The league leaders, who had beaten their hosts 2-0 in Sunday's League Cup final, fell behind with 12 minutes remaining at Fir Park when right-back Mikael Lustig knocked the ball into his own net as he tried to clear a Craig Tanner free-kick.
Callum McGregor went down in the penalty area under a challenge from substitute Andy Rose with two minutes left, however, and Sinclair converted the spot-kick.
It was hard to take for the home side as Sinclair, who won a controversial penalty at the weekend following a challenge from Cedric Kipre, netted the equaliser - but it showed the determination of Brendan Rodgers' side.
The teams meet again at Celtic Park on Saturday, with more fireworks likely.
Celtic lost Patrick Roberts to an early injury - possibly a recurrence of a hamstring complaint - and was replaced by midfielder Tom Rogic.
Nevertheless, the visitors had the best early chances as Trevor Carson pulled off a fine save from McGregor's drive before blocking Kieran Tierney.
Celtic stepped it up at the start of the second half and Carson pulled off another good stop, this time from McGregor's low drive from outside the box.
On the hour, as the game stretched, Motherwell striker Louis Moult's overhead kick from 12 yards just cleared the bar.
Tanner replaced Elliott Frear and moments later missed a great chance when he failed to connect properly with a Richard Tait cross, the ball flying off his head and wide before a left-footed drive was held by Craig Gordon.
Sinclair was given stick by the home fans when he replaced Stuart Armstrong in the 72nd minute ahead of a frantic finale which saw Lustig, trying to defend a Tanner free-kick, knock the ball past the helpless Gordon.
The champions rallied though and Rogic smashed a drive which rebounded off the post and back into the arms of Carson.
Undeterred, McGregor - after having a shot saved by Carson - went to ground following a challenge from Rose and referee Willie Collum pointed to the spot, allowing Sinclair to guide in the leveller.