If there’s been one crumb of comfort for Celtic supporters across the international break it’s been that Martin O’Neill has been here before.Throughout his two spells in charge last season, the noise around the club was often acrimonious and the plumes of smoke from the internecine conflict rarely lifted.That the veteran somehow ended the campaign admiring two winners’ medals was testament to his extraordinary ability to galvanise a team in times of strife.After a three-week impasse in which the animosity of many towards the club’s hierarchy – particularly principal shareholder Dermot Desmond – seemed to reach new levels, Celtic badly needed their veteran manager to pour more oil on troubled waters. He did just that here.While there were predictably plenty more anti-Desmond and anti-board banners and chants around Fir Park, O’Neill’s players rose above the rabble and delivered the most assured team display in recent memory.In complete control of the game from the moment Camilo Duran claimed his seventh goal of the campaign, they toyed with the Steelmen. That they only had a Benjamin Nygren goal to show for the rest of their efforts felt like an injustice. Celtic, truthfully, could have scored any number.On Friday, O’Neill said that he couldn’t recall ever having an easy match in this corner of the world. This certainly wasn’t easy, but, at times, Celtic made it appear so. Nygren celebrates with Hogh after the midfielder scored Celtic’s second goalHaving looked completely lost in the week that saw a defeat to Ferencvaros come in between two reverses to Rangers, Celtic rediscovered themselves.There was a clear plan and an identity to the team. O’Neill’s men played through the lines and hunted in packs on the rare occasions when they turned the ball over.They badly needed this. Not just the win that takes them back to the top of the Premiership table, but a convincing performance which suggested that they might stay there.In goal, Viljami Sinisalo celebrated his 25th birthday with the quietest afternoon he could have wished for.The sight of Jota returning to action late on was the cherry on the cake for all concerned.As impressive as Celtic were, Motherwell scarcely laid a glove on them. A fourth successive loss for Motherwell was arrived at without Alfred Johansson’s men getting out of second gear. The trip to Rugby Park next weekend looks hugely important for the Swede.Johansson opted to keep Tawanda Maswanhise and Ibrahim Said in reserve with Willy Vogt and Joe Hodge tasked with supplying Alex Lowry and Seb Palmer-Houlden. Celtic supporters protest against major shareholder Dermot DesmondSome 533 days after sustaining a serious knee injury at Tannadice, Jota returned to Celtic’s match day squad.With Auston Trusty involved for the USA in midweek, O’Neill paired Liam Scales with Dane Murray in central defence.Seeking to end a run of seven games without a goal, Kasper Hogh retained his place up front with Duran and Seb Tounekti trusted on the flanks.Although they also came into this on the back of a poor run, Motherwell evidently believed Celtic were vulnerable.They went long from the outset, trying to test the mettle of the visitors’ back-four. One pass from keeper Alex Paulsen was that that was require to grant Palmer-Houlden an early look at goal. Liam Scales did just enough to take the sting out of the shot.Celtic probably didn’t require a wake-up call. It seemed to serve the purpose anyway.They edged ahead inside nine minutes with a fine move which allowed just a little bit to good fortune.With Colby Donovan advanced on the left, Callum McGregor twice linked the play. Running back towards his own goal, Dylan Levitt’s attempt to intervene only succeeded in pushing the ball forward to Duran.The Colombian only had one thing on his mind when he took possession of the ball on then edge of the box. Although his left-foot strike hit the back of the net via the inside of the post, Paulsen looked a shade sluggish going down.Celtic could quickly have wrapped up the three points. Duran was perfectly positioned to steer Kieran Tierney’s cut-back onto the target. Only Emanuel Longelo’s stretch on the line denied the visitors their second.Paulsen was next to step up, dangling out his left leg to prevent Mika Baur’s deflected shot from beating him.The German was then the beneficiary of Levitt’s wayward header as the Motherwell midfielder tried to deal with McGregor’s chip over the top. Paulsen kept his eye on Baur’s volley. Camilo Duran fires home the opening goal at Fir Park on Sunday Jota returned to action for Celtic… 533 days after his previous appearanceMotherwell were making far too many errors to enjoy a concerted spell of pressure.Tounekti cut inside away from Tom Sparrow. Again, Paulsen reacted smartly to beat the shot away.A rare foray upfield by the home side saw Alex Lowry side-step Scales and find Lukas Fadinger. Sinisalo was always well behind the midfielder’s strike.But Celtic were well on top, the lack of a second goal the only possible complaint O’Neill could have had as the interval approached.McGregor’s ball cut through the home defence all too easily. Tierney’s cut-back was met by Baur only for an outstretched leg to keep the contest alive.A stinging Tounekti strike, beaten away by Paulsen, suggested Celtic would pick up where they left off in the second period.Donovan’s ferocious shot came soon after and looked to be creeping inside the far post until the keeper extended his right arm.With Motherwell unable to get up for air, McGregor saw his effort deflected just wide. With Baur heading Tierney’s cross into Paulsen’s arms then striking the woodwork, it was a tough watch for the home supporters.The second goal felt like a matter of time. It arrived just before the hour mark after Motherwell lost possession on the edge of Celtic’s box and found themselves hopelessly outnumbered as the visitors sprung a counter-attack.Baur carried the ball and fed Hogh. The Dane thought about shooting, but identified that Nygren was better positioned. The Swede considered chipping Paulsen, then opted to dance around him. He finished high into the net from a tight angle to claim his sixth goal of the season.It was only then a question of how many Celtic would score. Hogh’s effort was charged down by Stephen O’Donnell. Paulsen did well to prevent McGregor’s pile-driver from beating him.Although Motherwell just about stayed afloat, the Celtic supporters did still have something to cheer when Jota replaced Tounekti with 16 minutes remaining. Naturally enough, the reception he got was warm. Without over-extending himself, he produced a couple of nice moments.Shim Mheuka, another replacement, ought to have made it three when he dropped a shoulder to take the keeper out of the game only for his shot to be blocked on the line. It would not have flattered O’Neill’s men.