Jota makes goalscoring return as Celtic beat managerless Motherwell

Jota capped his return to the Celtic team with a goal in the closing seconds as Brendan Rodgers’ side won 3-1 at Motherwell.

Rodgers had cautioned that the Portuguese winger would need time to build up his strength and fitness after returning to the club from Rennes on Monday.

But Jota looked bright after coming on as a 65th-minute substitute and turned home Daizen Maeda’s unselfish low cross from six yards.

Celtic never looked back after Adam Idah netted from close range in the 29th minute after ending a 14-game goal drought with a midweek double against Aston Villa.

Luke Armstrong, one of four players making their home debuts, had earlier cancelled out Maeda’s first-minute opener.

But Celtic, led by captain Callum McGregor on his 500th appearance for the club, were utterly dominant in the second half.

Motherwell had experienced a bruising week with the players having to cope with the shock resignation of manager Stuart Kettlewell and a number of fans unhappy with the way the club cited “personal abuse” from supporters as the reason.

Caretaker manager Stephen Frail was the man tasked with what he termed trying to get the “connectivity” back at the club but there was another blow 49 seconds into the game.

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.

Motherwell forward Tawanda Maswanhise shot just wide from a tight angle moments after Celtic’s second goal but the subsequent action was all at the other end.

Maeda twice came close before the league leaders picked up the tempo after the interval.

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

Goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe made saves from Luke McCowan and Idah, who also fired a shot off the foot of the post from 23 yards.

Reo Hatate volleyed over, Carter-Vickers headed over and Jota hooked a shot just wide.

Frail brought on new signings Luke Plange and Will Dickson to supplement their strikeforce 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.