Celtic ease to three Premiership points with comfortable win over Motherwell

Celtic have defeated Motherwell to tighten their grip at the top of the Premiership.

The champions eased to victory in Parkhead on Boxing Day with a comfortable 4-0 win as they remain undefeated in domestic action this season.

Arne Engels scored the opening goal from the penalty-spot at the end of a dominant first-half from the home team.

Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn were both on target as Celtic got back to winning ways following their draw with Dundee United at the weekend.

They were out of sight on the 80th minute when Reo Hatate produced a fine finish when he guided the ball into the bottom corner

Brendan Rodgers side are now 12 points ahead of second-placed Rangers for at least a couple of hours with the Ibrox side not in action until their trip to Paisley later on Thursday.

The Hoops had the lions’ share possession in the first-half but were left frustrated at being unable to find the target.

They had to wait until the very end of the 45 before taking the lead in injury-time

The referee pointed to the spot after Yang was fouled by Motherwell keeper Aston Oxborough and Engels converted to make it 1-0.

Maeda doubled the lead in the second-half when he headed home from close range to make it 2-0 with just over half an hour remaining.

Liam Scales connected with a corner from Engels and flicked across the face of goals before Maeda dived in and put it in the net.

And the champions had the three-points all but secured when Kuhn curled in a shot from outside the box to make it 3-0 with 15 minutes remaining.

Hatate got himself in on the action shortly after when he scored the goal of the game to make it 4-0 and ensure the three-points would be staying in Glasgow.