Tempers fray at Fir Park farewell Motherwell's final home game of the season is unsightly and unruly

CELTIC'S followers have been enchanted by fairytales of South American superstars lining up to replace Henrik Larsson as the new king of kings.

Rivaldo, who Martin O'Neill must now regret ever mentioning, and his fellow Brazilian, Marcio Amoroso, have featured prominently in the hot topic of how to replace the irreplaceable. Rivaldo, a World Cup winner and one regarded as the greatest talent on Earth, and Amoroso, who has fetched a combined (pounds) 36m in transfer fees, may or may not lead Celtic into a new era but neither would have revelled in this slog of a match.

Craig Beattie assumed the position in the meantime and spared Celtic from a third domestic defeat which would have spoiled their unbeaten away record. His late equaliser, cancelling out a poacher's goal from the perennial pest, David Clarkson, ensured an even end to an unsightly and, at times, unruly spectacle at Fir Park, but Celtic cannot now finish the season with 100 points.

The pitch invasion at full time, a Fir Park tradition on the final home game of the season, provided more controversy to a hostile encounter when Celtic's Ross Wallace was allegedly kicked by a home supporter, though the managers were understandably keen to play down the incident.

Having been irked by his team's apparent downing of tools since securing their top-six status, Butcher's dark mood was exacerbated by the imminent departure of the stand-in captain, Derek Adams, and another talisman of a momentous season, Steven Craig. The unexpected announcement of the pair's summer move to Aberdeen ensured their exclusion from last night's squad.

Only two Celtic players

survived from last weekend's Old Firm derby win against Rangers. Stephen Pearson made the first visit to his old stomping ground to an unfairly cacophonous chorus of disapproval. Neil Lennon's services were also retained, although utilised in central defence alongside Johan Mjallby.

Watching the hulking Swede, with his blond mane, and the flame-haired Irish scrapper operating in occasional harmony was a joy to behold. Clarkson must have fancied

his chances against the old warhorses. The lack of familiarity was accentuated by Celtic's airing of their new lime-coloured away strip.

The Fir Park pitch, which these days looks as though it has been savaged by a combine harvester, did nothing to enhance a sterile encounter. The diminutive Wallace was in danger of disappearing down a pothole on what remained of the left flank while Liam Miller and Keith Lasley found it nigh impossible to provide their usual array of polished passes.

The direct approach would doubtless be the most profitable. Barry John Corr was alert enough to swipe the ball away from Craig Beattie's toe as the striker raced on to a long ball. At the other end, Scott McDonald's celebrations were curtailed when the Australian was ruled offside after he converted a swift attack involving Jason Dair and Clarkson.

Neither goalkeeper was troubled thereafter and Lennon grew to revel in his new-found responsibility as the match evolved. Sweeping around the creaky Swede, Lennon was in his element riding to the rescue.

Aiden McGeady's emergence has been greeted with unprecedented coverage given the heady mix of prodigious talent and astonishing single-mindedness. The teenager will move a significant step closer to achieving his long-held ambition of representing the Republic of Ireland later this month when he plays his first match for Don Givens' under-21s. Ironically, he will make his debut against the country of his birth, whose efforts to persuade him to play for Scotland have finally been exhausted.

We have not yet seen the full repertoire of the new kid on the block and last night, faced with a bumpy pitch and a contemptuous crew in claret and amber, his flair was witnessed only in fleeting glimpses.

The game eventually came to life in the second half but in unsavoury fashion as tempers flared. The assembled audience witnessed a rare moment of rage from Celtic's placid elder statesman, Paul Lambert. The former Fir Park favourite became acutely irritated by an over-eager Clarkson, and when the striker became embroiled in an unsightly tangle with Miller, Lambert was first to the scene pointing an accusing finger.

Miller, in one of his last games before joining Manchester United, was not content to slip away quietly and was fortunate to escape with only a booking for a rash and potentially challenge on Martyn Corrigan. Again the testosterone took over until referee John Rowbotham restored calm with a caution for the Irishman.

It enlivened proceedings and Motherwell, indignant at perceived injustices, set about slaying the Premierleague champions. They did so in cold, calculating fashion. A sweeping move down the right involving Dair and Alex Burns breached Celtic's back line. The former Partick Thistle striker's forward pass fed Clarkson and the poacher gorged himself.

He completed his night of feather ruffling by booting the ball away and earning a, well, playful leg tap from Lennon, who was booked for his trouble. Square-ups, pitch invasions, and a crude challenge by Lasley on Lennon completed a surreal evening.

Motherwell (4-4-2) Corr; Quinn, Corrigan, Craigan, Hammell; Dair, Lasley, Fagan (Fitzpatrick 69), Burns; Clarkson (MacDonald 86), McDonald (Wright 82).

Subs: Neville, Higgins

Celtic (4-4-2) Marshall; Smith, Mjallby, Lennon, McManus; Miller, Lambert, Pearson, Wallace; McGeady, Beattie.

Subs: McNamara, Balde, Douglas, Varga, McBride

Booked Miller 55, Lennon 75, McManus 88

Referee J Rowbotham