THE DAY THE CELTIC FOUND OUT THEY WERE INVINCIBLE

The date was Saturday, the date was December 3, 2016 – exactly seven years ago – and it was the afternoon Celtic realised they were unbeatable.

Brendan Rodgers, of course, led the team to a domestic clean sweep in his first season at the club, and the team went undefeated throughout a memorable season.

At Fir Park, in the midst of a chilly setting, it appeared as if the Irishman was about to suffer his first domestic defeat since taking over from Ronny Deila in May of that year.

The Hoops were trailing 2-0 at halftime after an unimpressive, error-filled 45 minutes, thanks to a double strike from Motherwell’s Louis Moult.

Craig Gordon went into the game knowing he hadn’t conceded a league goal in 10 hours, but that record was blown in the first three minutes when Kolo Toure misjudged a long ball down the middle from ex-Celt Stephen McManus, and the pacy Moult raced in behind the Ivorian icon, a summer signing after being released by Liverpool, and lobbed the ball nonchalantly over the stranded keeper.

He got his second just after the half-hour mark, turning in a left-wing cross from Ross MacLean at the far post with the visitors’ defence shredded once more.

Rodgers changed the formation during the break to three at the back in order to push more players into midfield, and he was rewarded immediately when Callum McGregor, who had replaced a struggling Emilio Izaguirre in the first half, equalised three minutes after the restart.

On-loan In the 69th minute, Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts headed in a dramatic equaliser after good work from Stuart Armstrong.

Well were back in front within 60 seconds, thanks to an effort from Lionel Ainsworth that left Gordon helpless.

Celtic were playing their 13th Premier League game of the season on shaky ground.

It was fast and furious, and the Hoops showed the same spirit and never-say-die attitude when Armstrong’s neat shot on the turn eluded Craig Samson for the equaliser.

With the clock ticking down, Tom Rogic waltzed in from the left wing, sized up the situation, and then whipped in a low drive that sailed low into the far corner of the net.

Mark McGhee’s fighters had no chance, and referee Kevin Clancy called full-time after four minutes of stoppage time.

With three games remaining, the champions finished the day eight points clear at the top of the division.

After the dust settled, a breathless Rodgers stated, “We were poor in the first half.” We got off to an awful start.

“We changed the system at half-time to 3-4-3. We were absolutely brilliant second-half. To score the four goals, to win the game, it really shows the mentality of the team.

“Across the team, I have to give them huge credit because we had to put risk in the game. They took on the risk and they got the reward. I’m delighted for them.

“That was a great, great victory for us and give credit to Motherwell, as well, because I thought that they were set up very, very well.”

Gordon; Lustig, Simunovic, Toure, Izaguirre (sub: McGregor 30); Bown, Armstrong, Rogic; Roberts (sub: Bitton 92), Dembele, and Forrest (sub: Gamboa 94). Substitutes not used: De Vries, Boyata, Christie, and Mackay-Steven.

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