Lennon threatens to wield the axe

A "raging" Neil Lennon warned some of his players they were in danger of being shipped out of Celtic Park following their attitude in the 2-1 defeat at Motherwell.

The Celtic manager described his side's attacking display as "insipid", although he absolved James Forrest of blame, after leaving Gary Hooper on the bench.

Lennon, whose side are now 19 points ahead of second-placed Motherwell in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, said: "I'm raging. I made changes with games in mind but still put a strong team out. People keep coming to me looking to play - they got the opportunity and didn't play."

He added: "It seems to me if I leave Hooper out the team then we suffer. We were very, very poor going forward in the first half."

Georgios Samaras, who started up front alongside Anthony Stokes, headed Celtic level in the 63rd minute following Chris Humphrey's opener but Michael Higdon soon volleyed the winner.

When asked whether there was a lack of hunger among his players because they feel the SPL title is already won, Lennon said: "If that's the case they won't play here again. They can find another club and I'll play the kids. If they waste any game at this club and I detect that in their play, which was apparent in some cases, then it gives me a lot to think about.

"I'm pretty angry with some of the performances."

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall was rewarded for an attacking 4-4-2 formation which saw James McFadden line up in left midfield on his first start since re-signing for the club.

And Nicky Law proved the key man as his breaks from central midfield and composure set up both goals.

McCall said: "We play him and Las (Keith Lasley) in there and they both want to get forward and sometimes it leaves us a little bit open. It was a really attacking side with two up front and Faddy and Humph wide. But I thought at the back Shaun Hutchinson and young Adam Cummins were outstanding and Lawsy did what I know he is capable of - he has got that little bit of magic."