Football: Lethal Larsson

Celtic 1

Larsson pen 63

Motherwell 0

Half-time: 0-0 Attendance: 59,588

THE FIRST of Henrik Larsson's weekly pounds 25,000 pay packets was money well spent, as far as Celtic are concerned. The Swede celebrated his new contract by netting his 38th goal of the season and banking a priceless victory which pulls the Scottish champions to within three points of Rangers.

Until Larsson's 63rd-minute penalty beat Andy Goram, the goalkeeper looked like haunting Celtic once more on a fraught day in which 10 extra minutes had to be added by the referee, Jim McCluskey, who booked six Motherwell players.

Motherwell came to Celtic Park desperate to atone for a 7-1 humiliation the last time the clubs met. That burning desire ensured every challenge was hotly contested in the first half.

Yet the first caution went to Celtic's central defender Johan Mjallby, after just seven minutes. The Swede, just back after a suspension, was rightly given his eighth yellow card of the season for thumping John Spencer. However, the former Chelsea forward was no angel and his dreadful challenge on Paul Lambert eight minutes later, baring his studs, forced Lambert to limp off to be replaced by Morten Wieghorst.

Goram produced a wonderful double-save in the 21st minute. When Regi Blinker's corner fell to Tosh McKinlay on the edge of the area, the Celtic wing-back returned a stinging volley which Goram remarkably parried, and he then denied the lurking Larsson's second effort.

The former Rangers goalkeeper was then forced to make another incredible save just before half-time. Tom Boyd's cross sought out Larsson and a powerful header seemed destined for goal, but Goram managed to push the ball over the bar.

Celtic re-emerged from the interval with a greater belief and increased the tempo. For Goram, though, the pace remained constant - it was all one-way traffic towards him.

The former Scotland keeper could do nothing about Vidar Riseth's ferocious left-foot shot, but the post came to his rescue. Goram's next involvement saw him turn Craig Burley's drive wide.

Motherwell's Don Goodman was fortunate to escape with just a yellow card after an altercation with Riseth. However, justice caught up with him three minutes later when he floored the substitute Harald Brattbakk just inside the box when no danger threatened. Larsson delivered the punishment by coolly sending Goram the wrong way and a roar of relief from almost 60,000 Celtic fans punctured the blue Glasgow skies.