Celtic defeat a learning curve for ‘overachieving’ Motherwell says Robinson

Stephen Robinson said the levels in quality between Motherwell and Celtic showed as the Well went down 4-0 to the champions- but there are positives to be found.

The scoring started eight minutes in. Odsonne Edouard got his first of the night after breaking behind the Well defence and putting the ball beyond Mark Gillespie.

Motherwell battled valiantly in the first half but that work was undone. Leigh Griffiths netted a second Hoops goal five minutes into the second half as the Steelmen began to lose their grip on the game.

Callum McGregor added a third before Edouard got a second with a brilliant free kick. Results elsewhere though means Robinson’s side remain third, despite the heavy defeat.

The Northern Irishman says whilst this defeat is tough, Motherwell should be proud of where they are. “We made it very difficult after a very good first half performance. We never took our chances. If you create five chances like we did against Celtic, you have to take them.

“You’ve got to admire some of their play in the second half. Edouard’s arguably the best player in the league at the minute, he’s unplayable at times.

“What I’ll take from it is a very good first half performance. Am I happy with that? No. They were ruthless with their chances and we weren’t. That’s the difference in levels.

“We’re a small club massively overachieving. We’ll get criticism as we’ve lost twice but I know what levels we’re trying to get to. I have young boys developing all the time.

“We’re third in February with four games including one which could get us into the quarter finals of the cup and stay where we are in the league. We’re having a good season. There were very good points in that game.

“I set out to win – I go and press. I don’t try to contain because ultimately they break it down anyway. They’re young boys and they’ll make mistakes.”