MARK McGHEE was more than happy to be forward thinking when praising the goals his team created against Celtic.

But the Motherwell manager knows the focus must be on the costly defensive deficiencies as he tries to claw his team above the tight pack trying to squeeze into the top six.

The Steelmen bagged three goals in the Ladbrokes Premiership defeat to Celtic on Saturday, no mean feat. Yet he was rightly frustrated at the four shipped at the other end that cost them a landmark victory or even a merited draw.

One free header at the back post and three shots from central positions won the Hoops the game, and McGhee knows the priority must lie with tightening up at back.

"It will have taken a couple of days for the boys to get the game out of their system," he said.

"They trained on Monday and were back on their feet for Tuesday to start again.

"We'll have a good look at the goals we conceded and other goals we conceded and see if we can improve defensively.

"They made changes that made it difficult for us but our first half performance was something we can all be proud of."

As down in the dumps as Motherwell were not to claim something from the weekend's early kick off to keep them in the top six, it was hard not to admire the skill and craft that initially gave them the lead.

Only three minutes were on the clock when Louis Moult latched on to a 70-yard high ball from Stephen McManus to audaciously chip Craig Gordon with a stunning volley.

It was a piece of brilliance from the former Stoke City man that was fit to grace any stage and his gaffer was rightly delighted.

"In training in the last month he's kicked on," said McGhee. "The week I was away with Scotland he did extra training with Faddy [James McFadden].

"He's getting fitter, stronger and he's continued that every day. On the run up to the Celtic game I said to him 'if you play like that against Celtic then you will be good enough for us' and he did. He was fantastic.

"The first goal was a contender for goal of the season, it was an absolutely sublime finish. If it's Dembele they are talking about millions and millions with him doubling his value. But Moulty was sublime.

"His movement even for the second goal was terrific."

The first half performance was clearly the highlight for the Well boss given how his team went into the break with a 2-0 lead.

In truth they could have been even further ahead.

Still, small consolation should be taken from the fact they gave unbeaten Celtic their biggest scare so far on the domestic stage.

"We're not satisfied with that," he argued.

"Equally, we take a lot of positives out of it. We played a really good Celtic team but we need to defend better.

"If we do that and play as well as we did with Scott McDonald, Louis Moult and the wide players going forward then we will do well.

"I thought the first half was terrific, I don't think any other team has done that to Celtic in Scotland, even though they clawed their way back into it."