An emotional Jota scored on his Celtic return as they defeated managerless Motherwell in a 3-1 win, maintaining their ten point lead at the top.

Celtic took the lead after less than a minute when Anthony Ralston, enjoying a rare start launched a cross when by Daizen Maeda who fired a header past Ellery Balcombe.

Responding emphatically, Motherwell made the most of a rapid counter attack, Luke Armstrong fired home a crossed ball that had bounced off Auston Trusty and into the path of the player making his first start for the club since moving from Carlisle.

They failed to maintain their level footing, Maeda involved once again, fired a low ball across to Adam Idah who added another goal to a week that saw him score two against Aston Villa in the Champions League defeat midweek.

In a fairytale ending to the game, Maeda capped off an excellent afternoon with inswinging low ball met by an oncoming Jota who slotted Celtic’s third in added time.

Maeda, who made a brilliant run to the back post, could have added a second from a corner but could not direct his header goalwards.

Both Luke McCowan and Nicolas Kuhn came close themselves, denied by some strong saves from Balcombe but made an even more impressive dive to deny Idah.

There can be few complaints from Motherwell, who managed just two shots all game as they suffered their third consecutive league defeat.

Line-ups:

Motherwell: Balcombe, Blaney, Gordon, O’Donnell (c), Thompson (Zdravkovski 76), Kaleta (Paton 38), Nicholson (Wilson 63), Halliday (Dickson 76), Sparrow, Maswanhise (Plange 63), Armstrong Unused subs: Andrews, Balmer, Connelly

Goals: Armstrong (23)

Celtic: Schmeichel, Taylor (Scales 84), Trusty, Carter-Vickers, Ralston, Hatate (Paulo Bernardo 84), McGregor (Engels 65), Maeda, Idah (Yang Hyun-Jun 79), Kuhn (Jota 65) Unused subs: Johnston, Kenny, Sinisalo

Goals: Maeda (1), Idah (29), Jota (90+4)

Referee: Nick Walsh

Attendance: 8,293