Sub Samaras sends Celtic eight clear

GLASGOW, Scotland -- Greek international Georgios Samaras came on as a substitute to head a 79th minute winner which gave Celtic a 2-1 victory at Motherwell and sent them eight points clear of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

The UEFA Cup finalists have four games in hand, starting with a trip to Hibernian on Sunday.

It was a hardfought victory for Celtic, who fell behind after an hour.

Motherwell made a good start and Keith Lasley went close with a left-foot shot from the edge of the penalty area . The ball was deflected narrowly wide, with goalkeeper Artur Boruc rooted to the spot.

Celtic did not make a serious threat until the 19th minute when full-back Andreas Hinkel's fierce right-foot drive from 25 yards flew past a post.

Motherwell were doing most of the pressing without being able to create many clear cut chances.

In the 37th minute Boruc flung himself to his left to save Marc Fitzpatrick's low 18-yarder and he was in action again five minutes after the break to keep out David Clarkson's shot from a tight angle.

After an hour Motherwell took the lead when Chris Porter raced on to Brian McLean's cross from the right and nodded in from close range.

The home supporters were given little time to celebrate. Within two minutes Shunsuke Nakamura collected the ball on the corner of the penalty area and crossed for Scott McDonald to head home against his former side.

In the 65th minute, with Nakamura and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink made way for Samaras and Scott Brown.

In the 74th minute Brown blasted over the bar when well placed but five minutes later the other Celtic substitute headed the winner from Barry Robson's corner.

Motherwell twice almost equalized in the closing stages. Steven Hammell fired a shot across the goalmouth in the 88th minute, then Stephen Craigan's header was pushed past the post by Boruc. E-mail to a friend