Hesselink double inspires Celtic

A Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink double in a 4-1 win over Motherwell at Fir Park breathed fresh life into Celtic's Clydesdale Bank Premier League title hopes ahead of the Old Firm clash on Wednesday.

Stephen McManus and Scott McDonald also notched for the visitors with Well's consolation strike coming when McManus helped a Ross McCormack shot into his own net.

Celtic closed the gap on SPL leaders Rangers to four points and although the Ibrox side have two games in hand, Gordon Strachan's side have the chance to put the pressure on with a win at Celtic Park in midweek.

The visitors looked more dangerous early on and in the 16th minute they took the lead through skipper McManus.

Celtic defender Gary Caldwell challenged Motherwell goalkeeper Graeme Smith for the ball after Nakamura had played in a free-kick, the ball spun high in the air and McManus climbed among a clutch of bodies to bundle it over the line from about a yard out.

But in the 23rd minute the home side levelled when McCormack broke on the counter-attack.

With the Celtic defence stretched, the former Rangers player played a one-two with Well midfielder Stephen Hughes, moved into the Hoops penalty area and beat Parkhead goalkeeper Artur Boruc with his angled shot and McManus could only help the ball into the net.

In the 29th minute, Nakamura's cross was headed up in the air by Fir Park stopper Stephen Craigan and McDonald's volley from 12 yards took a deflection off Mark Reynolds to beat Smith at his near post.

Three minutes before the interval Celtic extended their lead with the minimum of fuss when Vennegoor of Hesselink bulleted Barry Robson's corner past Smith from eight yards out.

Celtic continued in the same form after the break and they stretched their lead further in the 56th minute when Vennegoor of Hesselink pounced on a loose ball 12 yards from goal and volleyed high into the net past Smith.