Motherwell 0-0 Celtic: Cedric Kipre sent off but hosts hold on for point

Celtic could not find a way past 10-man Motherwell as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Fir Park in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

The hosts created the better chances in the first half but saw Cedric Kipre dismissed in the 41st minute for kicking out at Scott Brown while both players were on the floor.

The dismissal paved the way for Celtic to dominate after half-time, but they could not find the breakthrough, with substitute Patrick Roberts going closest on his return from injury when he hit the bar.

Despite the setback, Celtic still move 10 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership as they close on a seventh straight league title.

Motherwell had enjoyed the better of the first half until the red card, with Scott Bain the busier of the two goalkeepers.

Bain dived to push away Curtis Main's header in the 14th minute and kept out a well-struck free-kick from the striker, as well as saving from Ryan Bowman.

Tom Rogic looked threatening for Celtic as he curled a shot wide and then missed the target with a first-time shot from the edge of the box.

But the game swung in Celtic's favour late in the first half after Kipre was shown a straight red for kicking out at Brown after the pair tussled on the ground.

The decision, as well as Brown's reaction to the challenge, appeared to rile Motherwell players and manager Stephen Robinson, and the hosts were forced to defend deep after the break.

Trevor Carson twice saved from Rogic before Moussa Dembele headed over.

Roberts came off the bench for his first appearance since November and hit the bar with a shot from outside the box as Celtic dominated possession.

But the champions could not find the breakthrough as Stuart Armstrong curled wide, Scott Sinclair was denied by a last-ditch block from Richard Tait and Carson tipped away a header from Dembele in injury-time.

Man of the match - Richard Tait

Tait made sure a fantastic defensive effort from Motherwell did not go to waste when he blocked Sinclair's shot late in the game. He was also solid throughout and made another block to deny James Forrest in the second half.

"He thoroughly deserved the man-of-the-match award, he was a notch ahead of everyone else," said Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes on Sky Sports.

What's next?

Motherwell face another tricky clash next up as they host Rangers on Saturday, March 31. Celtic are at home against Ross County on the same day.