Motherwell 2-3 Celtic: Match Stats & Timeline

Celtic kept their Scottish Premiership title hopes alive with a dramatic 3-2 win over Motherwell.

It's been a remarkable season at the top end of Scotland's top-flight and it was only a matter of days ago that an absorbing three-way battle became a two horse race.

It was Martin O'Neill's Hoops who ended Glasgow rivals Rangers' title ambitions at Celtic Park, defeating Danny Rohl's side 3-1 and simultaneously bridging the gap on Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.

Heading to Fir Park to face Motherwell, Celtic needed a result to take the title race to the final day, and they were given a major scare in the early stages of the game.

Elliott Watt gave Motherwell the lead in the 17th minute, volleying home via a Viljami Sinisalo mistake. As Celtic fell behind, Hearts went two goals in front. Goals from Frankie Kent and Cameron Devlin momentarily extended the Jambos' lead to four points.

That four-point advantage swiftly became three when Old Firm hero Daizen Maeda found the bottom-right corner with his weaker left foot.

There was a buzz at Tynecastle Park when Hearts fans learnt that Celtic were behind, but there was a sudden expectancy that the 55-time Scottish champions would go on to win the game once they found the equaliser through Maeda.

It took less than 14 minutes for Benjamin Nygren to put the Bhoys in front in the second half, expertly finding the top-right corner from outside the box.

O'Neill's side looked to be taking three points back to Celtic Park, but Liam Gordon was on the end of an 18-yard box scramble to convert for Motherwell and level the scorings in the 85th minute of the game.

You didn't think that the drama ended there, did you? Celtic were awarded a penalty in the 97th minute of the game after the referee was sent to the VAR monitor to observe a handball from Sam Nicholson.

As composed a penalty as you will see all season, Kelechi Iheanacho converted from the spot to send the Celtic away end into raptures.

It's a victory that takes Celtic into the final day against Hearts knowing that a victory will crown them Scottish Premiership champions for a record-breaking 56th time.

Motherwell v Celtic Timeline

17' - GOAL for Motherwell. Scored by Elliot Watt.
41' - GOAL for Celtic. Scored by Daizen Maeda.
58' - GOAL for Celtic. Scored by Benjamin Nygren, assisted by Yang Hyun-jun.
61' - Yellow card for Daizen Maeda (CEL).
69' - Regan Charles-Cook replaced Callum Slattery (MOT).
70' - Anthony Ralston replaced Alistair Johnston. Reo Hatate replaced Benjamin Nygren. Kelechi Iheanacho replaced Sebastien Tounekti (CEL).
78' - James Forrest replaced Yang Hyun-jun. Marcelo Saracchi replaced Kieran Tierney (CEL).
81' - Sam Nicholson replaced Ibrahim Said. Liam Gordon replaced John Koutroumbis (MOT).
85' - GOAL for Motherwell. Scored by Liam Gordon.
88' - Oscar Priestman replaced Tawanda Maswanhise. Callum Hendry replaced Elijah Just.
90+1' - Yellow card for Sam Nicholson (MOT).
90+1' - Yellow card for Liam Scales (CEL).
90+9' Yellow card for Emmanuel Longelo (MOT).
90+9' - GOAL for Celtic. Penalty scored by Kelechi Iheanacho.
90+10' - Yellow card for Kelechi Iheanacho.

Motherwell v Celtic Match Stats

Motherwell	2-3	Celtic
48%	Possession	52%
1.21	Expected Goals	1.37
15	Shots	10
5	Shots on Target	3
0	Goalkeeper Saves	3
9	Fouls Committed	15
4	Corners	3
493	Passes Completed	543
14	Tackles	19
14	Clearances	39
2	Yellow Cards	3
0	Red Cards	0