Motherwell 1 – 3 Celtic

An emotional Jota marked his Celtic return with a goal as they eased to a 3-1 victory against managerless Motherwell at Fir Park.

The winger started on the bench rejoining the Scottish champions from Rennes and watched on as Daizen Maeda headed in the opener after just 49 seconds.

Luke Armstrong levelled on his first Motherwell start before Adam Idah fired in from Maeda’s cross to retake the lead before the break.

VAR saved Tom Sparrow’s blushes as his own-goal was ruled out for offside with Nicolas Kuhn’s spectacular overhead effort also disallowed.

Jota showed flashes of his best when he arrived late on before getting on the end of Maeda’s ball in stoppage time to make it 3-1 before bursting into tears as the Hoops fans sang his name.

Celtic remain 10 points clear at the top of the Premiership with Motherwell sixth.

Jota’s perfect return for dominant Hoops

Celtic, led by Callum McGregor on his 500th appearance, never looked back after Idah netted from close range in the 29th minute having ended a 14-game goal drought with a midweek double against Aston Villa.

Maeda got in behind Marvin Kaleta and cut the ball across the face of goal before repositioning himself to head home Anthony Ralston’s cross after rising above the wing-back.

The Steelmen were back level midway through the half when two players making their first starts combined.

Dom Thompson’s cross bounced off Auston Trusty and Armstrong finished first time. Cameron Carter-Vickers claimed the on-loan Carlisle player had pushed him in the back as the cross came in but there was no VAR review.

However, Celtic were back ahead six minutes later. Luke McCowan’s first-time pass got Maeda in behind Kaleta and Idah knocked home the Japan winger’s low cross. Kaleta would soon go off with an injury.

The visitors had two goals disallowed for offside, one coming when Idah was penalised after firing the ball in off Sparrow before Kuhn was flagged after scoring an overhead kick.

Motherwell caretaker Stephen Frail brought on new signings Luke Plange and Will Dickson to supplement their strike force while Celtic’s limited options up front were highlighted when winger Yang Hyun-jun replaced Idah and Maeda moved into the centre.

Yang had a scuffed shot saved before Jota dribbled past several players and saw his run halted on the edge of the box.

But the Portuguese winger got his moment four minutes into stoppage time and delivered a trademark raised-fist celebration in front of the visiting fans.

Rodgers delight for Jota as he looks to transfer deadline

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers speaking to Sky Sports:

“He’s [Jota] obviously a long way away from the fitness level that he would need to be at, to be in the team, but he’s certainly going to build himself there.

“But what you can see in that cameo was his quality. He has tricks, he has the ability, he looks after the ball, he can run it behind, and he has an eye for a goal.

“I’m so pleased for him. It’s been a really challenging period for him and his time away, but he knows that everyone appreciates him here, everyone loves him here.

When asked about more signings before Monday’s transfer deadline, Rodgers added: “That is our plan. There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes in order to do that, so we’re hopeful that we can.

“We want to have the strongest squad we possibly can. We’ve lost a couple of players that were important players for our squad, but also players have gone out on loan so we know we want to get into the market to have the strongest squad we can to finish off the season.

“There’s always a mentality around you can’t get good players [in January] but if there is availability and we can afford it, then I would like to think that we could do that.”

What the pundits said of Jota’s return

Former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady:

“I don’t really understand the crying. Each to their own, he obviously feels emotional coming back here.

“It’s important for him to feel wanted at a club because he’s had a difficult last year and a half.

“When he came on, he’s the type of player I love watching. Very, very lively and gets the crowd off their seat.”

Former Motherwell striker James McFadden:

“I think Kyogo leaving is a blow and the fans are well aware of the loss he is, but there’s no doubt that Jota in his spell here the first time was outstanding and fully deserving of the pricetag.

“A lot of the fans were obviously devastated to see him leave so to get him back with what looks like the best years ahead of him, then of course they’re absolutely delighted.

“I agree it’ll take him time to get up to speed but he looked sharp and his deliveries were decent and gets himself on the scoresheet.

“A terrific signing and just the beginning for him today.”