Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou saw plenty of positives from his side’s 3-1 defeat against champions Celtic.

Elijah Just gave the Fir Park side a priceless lead, but replies from Tomas Cvancara and Yang meant the Steelmen would lose further ground on the top three.

Speaking after the match, Askou expressed pride in his team’s performance, as they continue to navigate a stellar season.

“Of course it hurts. We hate losing, love winning, and now we have got nothing out of the last two games, even though we have put a lot in.

“The tempo was really high at times, some of the quality in the build-up was really good, and our pressing was at times extremely good, and it made them change their strategies.

“We got a goal from it, and our bravery gave them some opportunities to punish us, which they were able to do. “It could go both ways, and I would have hoped it would not be that kind of moment or incident that tipped the game to one of the sides. I think it was a shame that [the penalty and red card] decided the game.

“It’s a penalty, which is a big chance, and a red card, which makes it difficult to get back into the game and get a result.”

Hopes of splitting the Old Firm may slip away after back-to-back defeats leave the Steelmen seven points adrift of third place.

They return to Fir Park on Saturday afternoon, facing European-chasing Hibernian.