Digressive Celts

Matches › 2025/26

Celtic 3–2 Motherwell

Sunday 5 October 2025, 15:00 · Celtic Park · Round 7 · Half-time 1–1 · Referee Calum Scott · Attendance 58,563

Celtic Iheanacho 28' (pen), Nygren 69', Maeda 90+2'

Motherwell Stamatelopoulos 40', 56' (pen)

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

CelticMotherwell
Goals32
xG2.621.39
Non-penalty xG1.830.60
Expected Points2.260.52

Celtic 68%Draw 22%Motherwell 10%

Most likely score 2–1, 15%. Final score 3–2, 10%.

Motherwell goalsCeltic goals0123456+0123456+1%1%7%5%3%2%3%10%2%2%7%5%1%2%2%15%12%14%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

01230153045607590HTNygren on for Hatate, 59'Engels on for McCowan and Forrest on for Tounekti, 60'Tierney on for Saracchi, 64'Balikwisha on for Iheanacho, 78'O'Donnell on for Koutroumbis, 68'Osong on for Stamatelopoulos, 76'Priestman on for Said, 80'Iheanacho 28' (pen)Nygren 69'Maeda 90+2'Stamatelopoulos 40'Stamatelopoulos 56' (pen)Celtic 2.62Motherwell 1.3901230153045607590HTNygren on for Hatate, 59'Engels on for McCowan and Forrest on for Tounekti, 60'Tierney on for Saracchi, 64'Balikwisha on for Iheanacho, 78'O'Donnell on for Koutroumbis, 68'Osong on for Stamatelopoulos, 76'Priestman on for Said, 80'Iheanacho 28' (pen)Nygren 69'Maeda 90+2'Stamatelopoulos 40'Stamatelopoulos 56' (pen)2.621.39CelticMotherwell

Each side's xG added up shot by shot through the match. Stoppage time is shaded as far as the last shot or event recorded in it. Triangles along the foot mark each side's substitutions.

Match stats

CelticMotherwell

2.62 +0.72xG1.39 −0.32
1.83Non-penalty xG0.60
3.52 +1.46xG on target1.68 +0.28
16 0Shots5 −8
9 +3.5Shots on target3 −0.8
5 +1.2Big chances3 +0.8
42 +6Touches in the opposition box16 −11
62% −11Possession38% −22
587 −116Passes370 −183
87% −2Pass accuracy80% −6
81% 0Field tilt19% −43
82 +11Final-third entries20 −30
24 +2Box entries6 −10
9.0 +0.5Passes per defensive action26.2 +14.0
10 +2.8Corners0 −4.3
25 +12Tackles18 +4
8 +0.5Interceptions12 +5.0
15 −14Clearances27 +7
1 −0.3Saves6 +2.0
17 +4Fouls12 0
2 +0.2Offsides2 −0.8

The small figure beside each value is its difference from the side's average per league match this season before this one. Field tilt is each side's share of the open-play passes completed in the final third; entries are completed open-play passes and carries into the final third and the box; passes per defensive action (PPDA) counts the opponent's passes in its own 60% of the pitch for each tackle, interception, challenge, or foul there.

Chance locations

Celtic

McGregor 4', 0.15 xGNygren 63', 0.15 xGNygren 66', 0.14 xGMaeda 39', 0.13 xGMaeda 7', 0.07 xGMcGregor 64', 0.07 xGSaracchi 19', 0.06 xGForrest 70', 0.05 xGNygren 84', 0.05 xGMcGregor 26', 0.04 xGIheanacho 70', 0.04 xGMaeda 32', 0.03 xGTierney 90+4', 0.00 xGMaeda 90+2', 0.65 xG, goalNygren 69', 0.19 xG, goal36%0.65 xGSix-yard box: 1 shot, 0.65 xG, 1 goal39%0.72 xGCentral box: 6 shots, 0.72 xG, 1 goal16%0.30 xGWide in the box: 4 shots, 0.30 xG, 0 goals9%0.16 xGEdge of the box: 3 shots, 0.16 xG, 0 goals0%0.00 xGFurther out: 1 shot, 0.00 xG, 0 goals

Motherwell

Maswanhise 37', 0.11 xGMcGinn 82', 0.09 xGLongelo 43', 0.01 xGStamatelopoulos 40', 0.39 xG, goal65%0.39 xGSix-yard box: 1 shot, 0.39 xG, 1 goal15%0.09 xGCentral box: 1 shot, 0.09 xG, 0 goals18%0.11 xGWide in the box: 1 shot, 0.11 xG, 0 goals2%0.01 xGEdge of the box: 1 shot, 0.01 xG, 0 goals0%0.00 xGFurther out: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals

Each area's share of the side's xG from open play and set pieces, with the xG in it. The two wide areas of the box count together, as on the club pages. Shots shows each of those shots instead, sized by its xG, with goals filled in.

Chance types

CelticMotherwell

1.74 13 shots, 2 goalsOpen play0.51 3 shots, 1 goal
0.06 1 shot, 0 goalsCounter-attacks0.00 0 shots, 0 goals
0.04 1 shot, 0 goalsSet pieces0.09 1 shot, 0 goals
0.79 1 shot, 1 goalPenalties0.79 1 shot, 1 goal

xG by type of chance, with each side's shots and goals beside it.

Game state

Level
67 min (68%) · Celtic 1.89, Motherwell 0.89 xG
Celtic ahead
18 min (18%) · Celtic 0.17, Motherwell 0.50 xG
Motherwell ahead
13 min (13%) · Celtic 0.56, Motherwell 0.00 xG

Line-ups

15620536144241381723SchmeichelRalstonCarter-VickersScalesSaracchiMcCowanMcGregorHatateMaedaIheanachoTounektiGoalYellow cardGoal64'60'59'78'60'Celtic 4-3-3Brendan Rodgers13224164512201890779WardKoutroumbisGordonMcGinnLongeloFadingerWattMaswanhiseSaidCharles-CookStamatelopoulosGoalGoal68'80'76'Motherwell 4-2-3-1Jens Berthel Askou

Celtic substitutes

  • 59' Nygren for Hatate · goal 69'
  • 60' Engels for McCowan · yellow card 72'
  • 60' Forrest for Tounekti
  • 64' Tierney for Saracchi
  • 78' Balikwisha for Iheanacho · 1 assist

Motherwell substitutes

  • 68' O'Donnell for Koutroumbis
  • 76' Osong for Stamatelopoulos
  • 80' Priestman for Said

Players

Celtic

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
SchmeichelGK900.000.0000.0110
RalstonRB900.000.2410.20114
Carter-VickersCB900.000.0400.15116
ScalesCB900.000.0600.17114
SaracchiLB640.060.0500.0864
McCowanCM600.000.030−0.0412
McGregorCM900.270.1100.0537
HatateCM590.000.0810.0796
Maeda RW9010.880.0410.0344
IheanachoST7810.820.0230.1121
TounektiLW600.000.0500.0792
NygrenFW3110.540.0710.0531
Engels MF300.000.0600.0531
ForrestFW300.050.1000.1342
TierneyDF260.000.1110.1865
BalikwishaFW1210.000.6610.2020

Motherwell

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
WardGK900.000.0000.0321
KoutroumbisRB680.000.0010.0117
GordonCB900.000.0000.0249
McGinnCB900.090.0000.0203
LongeloLB900.010.1100.1256
FadingerDM900.000.0100.0225
WattDM900.000.1410.02410
MaswanhiseRW9010.110.4110.2256
SaidAM800.000.0100.0342
Charles-CookLW900.000.0100.0341
StamatelopoulosST7621.180.000−0.0202
O'DonnellDF220.000.0800.1034
OsongFW140.000.0000.0002
PriestmanMF100.000.0000.0000

Starters, then substitutes in the order they came on. KP is chances created and Def defensive actions (tackles, blocks, clearances, and interceptions). xT is the expected threat added by the player's completed open-play passes and carries, and Prog counts progressive passes and carries.

Pass networks

Celtic

Schmeichel and Ralston: 4 passesMcCowan and Maeda: 4 passesScales and McCowan: 5 passesCarter-Vickers and Saracchi: 5 passesTounekti and McCowan: 5 passesCarter-Vickers and Hatate: 6 passesRalston and McGregor: 7 passesCarter-Vickers and McCowan: 7 passesSaracchi and Tounekti: 7 passesMcGregor and Hatate: 7 passesSchmeichel and Carter-Vickers: 8 passesRalston and McCowan: 8 passesSaracchi and McGregor: 9 passesCarter-Vickers and Maeda: 10 passesTounekti and Hatate: 10 passesScales and Tounekti: 11 passesCarter-Vickers and McGregor: 11 passesMcCowan and McGregor: 11 passesRalston and Maeda: 14 passesRalston and Carter-Vickers: 15 passesScales and McGregor: 15 passesScales and Hatate: 17 passesSaracchi and Hatate: 17 passesSchmeichel and Scales: 20 passesScales and Saracchi: 24 passesScales and Carter-Vickers: 27 passesSchmeichel: 22 completed passesRalston: 26 completed passesScales: 64 completed passesCarter-Vickers: 51 completed passesSaracchi: 35 completed passesTounekti: 15 completed passesMcCowan: 26 completed passesMcGregor: 33 completed passesMaeda: 13 completed passesIheanacho: 6 completed passesHatate: 30 completed passes15652036231442381741SchmeichelRalstonScalesCarter-VickersSaracchiTounektiMcCowanMcGregorMaedaIheanachoHatateStarters until 59' · lines join pairs with 4+ passes

Motherwell

Ward and Stamatelopoulos: 3 passesKoutroumbis and Fadinger: 3 passesMcGinn and Charles-Cook: 3 passesSaid and Charles-Cook: 3 passesWard and Koutroumbis: 4 passesWard and Longelo: 4 passesKoutroumbis and Maswanhise: 4 passesGordon and Said: 4 passesLongelo and Stamatelopoulos: 4 passesFadinger and Charles-Cook: 5 passesWatt and Said: 5 passesMaswanhise and Said: 6 passesGordon and Watt: 7 passesWatt and Charles-Cook: 7 passesKoutroumbis and Gordon: 8 passesGordon and Fadinger: 8 passesLongelo and Fadinger: 8 passesMcGinn and Fadinger: 9 passesWard and Fadinger: 10 passesWard and Watt: 10 passesLongelo and Watt: 10 passesLongelo and Charles-Cook: 10 passesMcGinn and Watt: 14 passesMcGinn and Longelo: 18 passesWard and McGinn: 22 passesWard and Gordon: 32 passesWard: 44 completed passesKoutroumbis: 16 completed passesGordon: 30 completed passesMcGinn: 38 completed passesLongelo: 26 completed passesFadinger: 25 completed passesWatt: 31 completed passesMaswanhise: 5 completed passesSaid: 12 completed passesCharles-Cook: 11 completed passesStamatelopoulos: 7 completed passes13224164512201890779WardKoutroumbisGordonMcGinnLongeloFadingerWattMaswanhiseSaidCharles-CookStamatelopoulosStarters until 68' · lines join pairs with 3+ passes

Each starter at the average position of their passes and receptions until the side's first substitution or red card, sized by completed passes. Lines join pairs who passed to each other often, thicker for more passes.

Passing combinations

Celtic

FromToPasses
ScalesCarter-Vickers21
Carter-VickersScales18
Carter-VickersMcGregor16
McGregorScales16
Carter-VickersRalston16

Motherwell

FromToPasses
McGinnWard22
GordonWard19
WardGordon16
McGinnLongelo10
WardWatt9

The five pairs with the most completed passes from one to the other over the whole match.

Defensive actions

Celtic

4+0.85+0.73−1.37+3.74−3.260.06+0.25−2.27−0.73−2.33−1.35+3.05−0.510+3.24−1.73−1.34−0.25+1.89+2.54+2.53+0.73+1.04+1.57+4.84+2.72+1.52+1.51+0.71+0.27−7.3FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 6 matches

Motherwell

11+7.814+8.820+11.29+2.07+4.210+4.56+0.75−0.35−2.24−1.37+0.20−3.52−1.02−2.22−3.71−3.55+0.21−1.30−3.73−1.51−2.01−0.72+1.01−0.53+0.31+0.21+0.31+0.51+0.31+0.3FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 6 matches

Where each side made its tackles, interceptions, clearances, blocks, recoveries, challenges, and fouls, attacking up the page. Areas are shaded by the difference from the side's average per match this season before this one: amber for more, blue for fewer.

Threat

Celtic

0.010.010.010.030.010.020.010.020.040.020.110.020.050.110.100.120.130.10−0.09−0.010.100.12−0.050.040.220.29LessMore

Motherwell

0.010.010.010.010.020.010.020.020.020.010.020.020.03−0.020.030.04−0.010.010.020.070.25LessMore

Expected threat added by completed open-play passes and carries, by where the move started, attacking up the page. Expected threat is the chance that possession in an area leads to a goal; a move adds the difference between where it ends and where it starts.

Ratings

0.51.01.52.02.5League average 1.36AttackCeltic2.35 → 2.35Motherwell1.31 → 1.30Defence (lower is better)Celtic0.75 → 0.77Motherwell1.34 → 1.37

The goals each side would score (attack) and concede (defence) per game against an average team, from the forecast ratings before this matchday (ring) and after it (dot); a lower defence number is better. Grey dots are the other clubs after the matchday, spread up and down only so they don't overlap. The change takes in the whole matchday.

League probabilities

ChanceBeforeWith this resultChange
Celtic
Title96%96%0
Motherwell
Top six64%62%−2
11th1%2%+1
St. Mirren
Top six43%44%+1
11th3%3%0
Bottom1%1%0
Kilmarnock
Top six56%57%+1
11th2%2%0

From the forecast before the match (5 October 2025): each chance then, and across the simulations in which the match ended this way. The change is in percentage points.

Pre-match

As things stood before kick-off.

Forecast

CelticMotherwell
Expected goals2.730.66
Win80%6%
Expected Points2.550.32
Clean sheet52%7%

Celtic 80%Draw 13%Motherwell 6%

Most likely score 2–0, 13%. Both sides score 45%.

Motherwell goalsCeltic goals0123456+0123456+4%2%9%6%2%8%3%8%2%8%5%2%4%3%3%2%13%11%

From the forecast as it stood on 5 October 2025: each side's attack and defence ratings in a Dixon–Coles score model, as on the Forecasts page.

League probabilities by result

ChanceNowCeltic winDrawMotherwell win
Celtic
Title96%96%94%91%
Motherwell
Top six64%62%70%79%
11th1%2%1%1%
St. Mirren
Top six43%44%43%37%
11th3%3%3%4%
Bottom1%1%1%2%
Kilmarnock
Top six56%57%52%54%
11th2%2%3%2%

Each chance before the match and across the simulations ending in each result. Other teams are listed where a chance moves by at least 3 percentage points.

Form

Celtic

  1. D0–027 SepHibernian (H)xG 2.80–0.70
  2. W2–114 SepKilmarnock (A)xG 2.83–1.66
  3. D0–031 AugRangers (A)xG 0.19–0.15
  4. W3–023 AugLivingston (H)xG 3.02–0.24
  5. W2–010 AugAberdeen (A)xG 1.17–0.55
  6. W1–03 AugSt. Mirren (H)xG 1.41–0.23

Motherwell

  1. W2–027 SepAberdeen (H)xG 2.03–1.00
  2. D1–113 SepDundee FC (A)xG 2.28–0.82
  3. D2–230 AugKilmarnock (H)xG 1.76–1.20
  4. D3–323 AugHearts (A)xG 1.52–2.21
  5. D0–09 AugSt. Mirren (A)xG 0.53–1.31
  6. D1–12 AugRangers (H)xG 2.15–0.83

The last six league matches, newest first, with xG for and against.

Season to date

CelticMotherwell
Position2nd6th
Played66
Won, drawn, lost4–⁠2–⁠01–⁠5–⁠0
Points14 (2.33 per game)8 (1.33 per game)
Expected Points per game2.161.69
Goals8–⁠19–⁠7
xG per game1.90–⁠0.591.71–⁠1.23
Home: points, xG per game2.33, 2.41–⁠0.391.67, 1.98–⁠1.01
Away: points, xG per game2.33, 1.40–⁠0.791.00, 1.44–⁠1.45
ManagerBrendan Rodgers (82)Jens Berthel Askou (6)

League matches this season before kick-off. The manager's number is league matches in charge since 2020/21.

Ratings

0.51.01.52.02.5League average 1.36AttackCeltic2.35, 1stMotherwell1.31, 5thDefence (lower is better)Celtic0.75, 1stMotherwell1.34, 5th

This season

Attack0.51.01.52.02.5SepOctCeltic attack: 2.35Motherwell attack: 1.312.351.31MotherwellCelticDefence (lower is better)0.51.01.52.02.5SepOctCeltic defence: 0.75Motherwell defence: 1.341.340.75

The goals each side would score (attack) and concede (defence) per game against an average team, from the forecast ratings before this matchday, with their rank among the league's clubs; a lower defence number is better. Grey dots are the other clubs, spread up and down only so they don't overlap.

Strengths and weaknesses

CelticMotherwell
CreatedConcededCreatedConceded
Open play+100%−75%+66%−10%
Counter-attacks+18%−89%+57%+22%
Set pieces−33%+7%−37%+19%
Penalties+3%−100%+3%−100%
Headers+36%−24%−10%+12%
Left side+57%−84%+39%−30%
Centre+43%−31%−5%+22%
Right side+52%−69%+121%−13%

xG created and conceded per game against the league average this season: +24% is 24% more than an average side. Left and right are each side's own, so chances conceded on its left come from opponents attacking down their right. Green favours the side and amber doesn't.

Matchups

Celtic attacking

Celtic createdMotherwell concededLeft side+57%−13%Centre+43%+22%Right side+52%−30%Open play+100%−10%Counter-attacks+18%+22%Set pieces−33%+19%Headers+36%+12%

Motherwell attacking

Motherwell createdCeltic concededLeft side+39%−69%Centre−5%−31%Right side+121%−84%Open play+66%−75%Counter-attacks+57%−89%Set pieces−37%+7%Headers−10%−24%

Each side's xG created per game down each side of the pitch, through the centre, and from each type of chance, against what its opponent concedes there, both relative to the league average.

Season averages

CelticMotherwell

1.90xG1.71
0.59xG against1.23
73%Possession60%
16.3Shots13.0
6.0Shots against11.2
5.5Shots on target3.8
3.8Big chances2.2
36.3Touches in the opposition box26.7
703Passes553
89%Pass accuracy86%
7.2Corners4.3
81%Field tilt62%
71.4Final-third entries50.0
22.0Box entries15.5
8.5Passes per defensive action12.2

Per league match this season before kick-off.

Game state this season

Celtic

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level671.840.48
Ahead232.110.90
Behind0––

Motherwell

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level581.191.20
Ahead162.362.20
Behind162.900.40

xG by period

Celtic

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.130.010–0
16–300.210.001–0
31–450.420.140–0
46–600.370.072–0
61–750.200.052–0
76–900.570.323–1

Motherwell

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.010.170–1
16–300.210.071–1
31–450.290.112–0
46–600.350.161–1
61–750.410.182–2
76–900.450.543–2

Per game this season, with stoppage time counted in its half; goals are totals for and against.

Most used players by position

Celtic

GKRBCBCBLBCMCMCMRWSTLWSchmeichel 6Ralston 3Johnston 2Donovan 1Carter-Vickers 5Murray 1Scales 6Tierney 3Saracchi 2Inamura 1Engels 3Nygren 3McGregor 5Bernardo 1Hatate 4McCowan 2Nygren 2Tounekti 1Maeda 1Maeda 2Idah 2Iheanacho 1Maeda 2Balikwisha 2Tounekti 14-3-3 in every start

Motherwell

GKRBCBCBLBDMDMRWAMLWSTWard 6O'Donnell 3Koutroumbis 3Gordon 4O'Donnell 1Balmer 1McGinn 4Welsh 2Longelo 6Fadinger 6Just 2Watt 4Maswanhise 5Said 1Watt 2Said 2Slattery 2Charles-Cook 2Just 2Said 1Stamatelopoulos 5Maswanhise 14-2-3-1 in 4 of 6 starts

Formations: 4-2-3-1 (4), 4-3-3 (2)

This season's most used formation, with up to three players who started most often in each position and their league starts there. Underneath, when a side has used more than one, every formation with its starts.

Head to head

DateHomeAwayxG
2 February 2025Motherwell1–3CelticxG 0.52–3.26
26 December 2024Celtic4–0MotherwellxG 3.55–0.23
27 October 2024Motherwell0–3CelticxG 0.71–1.45
25 February 2024Motherwell1–3CelticxG 0.69–2.87
25 November 2023Celtic1–1MotherwellxG 3.25–0.48
30 September 2023Motherwell1–2CelticxG 0.82–1.68

16 league meetings since 2020/21: Celtic won 14, Motherwell won 0, and 2 were drawn. Goals 43–9 and xG 2.39–0.61 per game.

Key players

Celtic

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Nygren5462310.450.44
McGregor5482000.040.25
Scales6540000.040.16
Carter-Vickers5450000.040.02

Motherwell

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Maswanhise6510300.350.06
Longelo6540310.240.12
Watt6523010.000.14
Fadinger6540000.030.03

Up to four players a side with the most xG plus xA per 90 minutes, from those with at least 450 league minutes.