THIS was a hard shift for Celtic.

THIS was a hard shift for Celtic. It was an afternoon for working jackets, graft and the expenditure of sweat.

It was about pragmatism. It was about three points for a win rather than marks for artistic impression. It was about substance rather than idealism.

It was ironic, then, that it was decided by the merest glimmer of class. A shimmying, ambling positive run by Paddy McCourt lea to a pass to Anthony Stokes who found Gary Hooper who scored from close range to give Celtic a 2-1 victory over Motherwell.

This, after 80 minutes, was enough to lift the cloud over Neil Lennon, the Celtic manager, at least for the next fortnight, and take his side to within 12 points of rivals Rangers at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, overtaking the Fir Park side on goal difference in the process.

There will be those who will point out that this was a victory achieved by the most slender of margins and with the outlay of only moments of inspiration. However, Lennon’s side have been heavily criticised for their lack of will and commitment, yet they came back yesterday from behind to win for the third time in four matches.

He will be overjoyed by the winning of three points, encouraged by the spirit of his team and comforted by the roars of the large travelling support.

He was vindicated in the most important decisions. Georgios Samaras, who returned to mere mortal status after his heroics against Rennes, nevertheless justified his selection by winning many of the diagonal balls that were punted long and high towards him. Biram Kayal and Victor Wanyama epitomised the commitment of the side in central midfield.

Lennon’s substitutes -- McCourt and Hooper -- made and scored the winner.

And the defence? It was strong, forceful and occasionally organised. Daniel Majstorovic and Thomas Rogne were resilient in the centre and Cha Du-Ri and Adam Matthews survived the problems posed by the pacy Chris Humphrey and Jamie Murphy. They all, of course, lost an early goal.

A short corner after just 10 minutes was followed by quick interplay between Tom Hately and Stevie Hammell before the former found Michael Higdon free in the area to head comfortably past Fraser Forster.

On an afternoon that was supposedly crucial to the continual employment of the Celtic manager, it was an awful yet predictable start by his team. However, Lennon’s side have recently come back against both Hibernian and Rennes and four minutes later Stokes continued this welcome habit for the Parkhead side by sidefooting home after Samaras had headed a Kris Commons corner across the face of the goal.

With the score at 1-1, Celtic were expected to push on but the match became mired in frantic passages of play that produced bookings but few chances. Keith Lasley and Steve Jennings both received yellow cards, with the former subsequently testing the patience of referee Charlie Richmond.

The heavy tension could not be leavened with a goal. Stokes, booked for dissent, should have given Celtic the lead in the second half when a Majstorovic lump forward caught the Motherwell defence square. The Irish striker, though, thrashed the ball off the chest of the outrushing Darren Randolph.

Nicky Law then had an opportunity to put the home side ahead when a neat chip by Lasley found him clear with only Forster in his path. The ball, however, seemed to linger in the air, allowing the English goalkeeper to improvise a save.

Motherwell’s threat was restricted to the moments when the languid Murphy found room wide but Celtic, with resolution and desperation, denied the Fir Park side any further chances.

The stalemate was broken with 10 minutes to play but the origins of the winning goals can be timed to 60 minutes when Hooper replaced Commons. The former Scunthorpe United striker has a pedigree of scoring important, late goals for the Parkhead club and this promise came alive thanks to the introduction of McCourt for Samaras.

The Northern Irishman carries the responsibility of being a hero. As he pointed out after the match, he is not being introduced to shore up the defence. But he can just produce that moment that creates just a yard of space, the hint of an opening. He did so to tremendous effect yesterday.

His run seemed initially innocuous but suddenly the alarm bells rang as McCourt approached the edge of the area and then fed Stokes. The striker’s ball across the face of the goal was turned in by Hooper who has now scored three in four matches, despite being increasingly used as a substitute.

The Englishman had a further role to play in the match when he was the victim of a petulant kick by Tim Clancy. The Irishman was shown a red card.

The subsequent Celtic celebrations were loud and energetic and born both of relief and joy. Lennon, who later excused himself from press duties, citing a sore throat, came on to the pitch to congratulate his players and applaud the Celtic fans.

He lives to fight another day. His team must simply continue to live to fight if the pursuit of Rangers is to gain any momentum.

Scorers: Motherwell -- Higdon (11); Celtic -- Stokes (14), Hooper (80).