Celtic next manager candidate impresses in 'interview' and delivers something refreshing

That’s not to downplay the jubilation, which was intense following Tomas Cvancara’s second successful penalty in six days. The kick might not have been decisive on this occasion but it put Celtic in a position where they could only throw away the three points.

Full back Emmanuel Longelo was sent off for impeding Daizen Maeda as the Celtic forward tried to reach Luke McCowan’s corner, although referee John Beaton had to be invited to the monitor. He had originally awarded a goal kick, to the home fans' evident displeasure. When he returned after taking a more considered look, the additional punch in Motherwell’s guts in the form of a red card for Longelo on top of a penalty all but eliminated the prospect of a fairytale of Fir Park this season.

Celtic, meanwhile, did what they had to do to ensure pressure remained on Hearts at the top. A double from Yang Hyun-jun bookended Cvancara’s spot-kick after the superb Elijah Just gave Motherwell the lead 32 minutes in. It seemed important for keeping Parkhead onside that Yang’s first, driven home from Benjamin Nygren’s cutback, arrived a mere five minutes after Just’s opener.

The title race is set to go to the wire, albeit Motherwell, following this latest defeat, look to have bowed out of the running. Not that any apology is required. For the second successive weekend their fans serenaded the players and manager Jens Berthel Askou following a loss. Fans are being reacquainted with the feeling of losing football matches, although this was still only their side’s fifth league defeat, two fewer than their hosts.

Celtic knew they were in a match here all right against high-risk, high-tempo opponents. At this stage of the season, when nerves often inhibit teams, Motherwell are alone among the top four in playing with a sense of abandon. No one expected them to be in this position after all. They went out all guns blazing here and deservedly took the lead through Just, although Celtic were the architects of their own downfall. Reo Hatate dwelled on the ball after a short pass from goalkeeper Viljami Sinsisalo and paid the price. He was robbed by Elliot Watt, who poked the ball to Callum Slattery. He in turn found Just, who drilled past Sinisalo at his near post. Motherwell were living up to expectations.

Was this Askou’s Celtic job interview?

It had been strongly suggested by some that Askou ought to be wearing a suit and tie on the sidelines since this was the equivalent of an interview for the soon-to-fall-vacant Celtic manager’s job. If so, and despite the fact he opted for a quarter zip knitted merino jumper rather than a suit, he left a good impression.

Celtic fans could marvel at what the Dane gets out of his team while also appreciating their own 74-year-old managerial icon, who is doing his best to keep up with the new breed of coach exemplified by the impressive Askou. Martin O'Neill smiled afterwards, having praised his side for breaking Motherwell's high-press approach. “Imagine me talking about breaking the press at 74,” O’Neill said.

He had nothing to reproach himself about when it came to his game management. O’Neill replaced Sebastian Tounekti with Cvancara at half-time and he watched with considerable admiration as the Czech striker grabbed the ball from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain before converting such a high-pressure penalty after 72 minutes. Cvancara whipped the ball down the middle of Calum Ward’s goal to continue doing what he needs to do to win over fans.

Equally pivotal to the game’s outcome was Motherwell losing a player. Even at 2-1 down, it was possible to imagine the visitors' scurrying intensity yielding something if they had a full complement of players. Although they still had their moments with ten, Yang made the points safe when he drove home a third with 11 minutes left having burst through the defence.

Afterwards, Askou was very clear about one thing. The match had proved a refreshing dose of mouthwash following the bad publicity attracted by the previous weekend’s Old Firm clash. “It was a very good statement from both teams in terms of how you want football to be played and to entertain,” he said. “And when you compare that to what happened last week, both during the game and especially after, both teams did their very best to create an exciting game for people to watch. That's important.”

Such a thoughtful review can only have further impressed watching Parkhead bosses.