Motherwell -2 Celtic - 1 Motherwell offered Berti Vogts and Rangers hope for the future last night as their exciting young Scots ended Celtic's 100 per cent winning start to the domestic campaign in sensational fashion.
The whole country was still in mourning after Scotland's humiliating 2-2 draw with the Faroe Islands while the men from Ibrox are already trying to play catch-up in the title.
But goals from homegrown stars Shaun Fagan and James McFadden stunned the Scottish champions and left the watching Vogts with renewed optimism that things are not as bad as they seem.
John Hartson gave Celtic a late consolation, but they paid the price for missing too many chances throughout the game.
After their weekend failure, Paul Lambert was heavily involved in the action in front of Vogts and under-21 coach Rainer Bonhof, but a rush of blood from his international team-mate Robert Douglas almost cost the champions in the fifth minute.
The former Dundee goalkeeper seemed to get caught in two minds and failed to cut out a good left-wing cross from Stephen Pearson, but rising star McFadden was unable to capitalise.
Celtic looked dangerous on the break and from dead-ball situations and they almost surprised the home side in the 12th minute. Stilian Petrov's corner was allowed to get through a ruck of players, but Steven Hammell was on the line to clear.
But three minutes later Celtic had a glorious chance to take the lead through Henrik Larsson. The Swede timed his run to perfection to get on the end of Lambert's pass, but he was unable to clip his attempted lob over the onrushing Motherwell goalkeeper Stephen Woods. AndLarsson should have sent the visitors into the break 1-0 up but was guilty of two clear misses.
Celtic continued where they left off at the start of the second-half by carving open the home defence on numerous occasions.
Their young hope Shaun Maloney joined Hartson in the 70th minute when he replaced Agathe and the Parkhead pair combined well, but the Scotland under-21 striker dragged his right-foot shot wide.
Motherwell continued to frustrate, but Fagan allowed his frustration to get the better of him in the 75th minute when he was shown the yellow card after clashing with Lambert.
But the youngster turned hero a minute later when he turned up in the centre of the box to head Hammell's cross past Douglas after a good work from McFadden down the left.
Celtic almost replied with immediate effect when Larsson got on the end of Guppy's corner, but his header shaved the post.
Motherwell rode their luck and when Laursen bundled McFadden to the ground, the youngster kept his composure to send Douglas the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Hartson gave Celtic some hope with three minutes remaining when he finished well from Larsson's flick-on, but Motherwell deserved to hold on for a famous victory.
MOTHERWELL: Woods, Corrigan, Partridge, Sengewald, Pearson (Ramsey 52), Lasley, Leitch (Fagan 71), Adams, Hammell, McFadden (Ferguson 90), Lehmann. Subs not used: Dubourdeau, Russell. Booked: Leitch, McFadden, Fagan, Lasley, Adams. Goals: Fagan 77, McFadden 80 pen.
CELTIC: Douglas, Valgaeren, Balde, Laursen, Agathe (Maloney 70), Lambert, Petrov, Thompson (Hartson 64), Guppy, Larsson, Sutton. Subs not used: McNamara, Hedman, Crainey. Booked: Laursen. Goals: Hartson 88.
Referee: W Young (Scotland).
