Getting past Motherwell will be springboard, vows Nygren

CELTIC have made a spluttering start to the season but Benjamin Nygren is convinced they will hit top gear after the international break - and reclaim top spot.

- BY MICHAEL GANNON

The Swedish midfielder came off the bench to blast his fourth goal of the season in Sunday's dramatic 3-2 victory against Motherwell.

It may only be the start of October but Daizen Maeda’s stoppage-time winner felt like a major moment.

Trailing Premiership pacesetters Hearts with a fuming support verging on all-out mutiny, the last-gasp climax prompted a Parkhead celebration and saved another almighty protest.

Celtic have lost just one match in regulation time all season — the 2-0 Europa League loss to Braga — but it's not exactly been champagne flowing so far.

The champions have already drawn a blank in five matches - as many as they did in all of last season - and had been held five times in 12 games going into Sunday's Well clash.

Maeda’ intervention saved another stalemate but with late goals against St Mirren and Kilmarnock, the Hoops have been force to scratch their way to results at a time of year they are used to cruising.

There are plenty of reasons why. The summer recruitment was a shambles, leaving the squad with few options up front and on the right wing, and the new faces are still settling in.