Livingston v Celtic: Match Report and Player Ratings

Celtic travelled to the Tony Macaroni Arena on Sunday at noon attempting to win there for the first time since 2007. Darren O’Dea, Derek Riordan and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink scored in a 4-1 Scottish Cup win that day and it was not too much of dissimilar result this afternoon. 

Four changes were made from Wednesday’s 2-0 win over St. Mirren with all of Anthony Ralston, Nir Bitton, Tom Rogic and James Forrest coming in for Josip Juranovic, Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley and Liel Abada. Said changes were met with slight criticism from some of the Celtic support but in the end up, proved to be vastly successful. 

Here is how the match played out. 

It was a lively start in West Lothian that was caked with chances for both teams. 

The first significant opportunity of the match fell to Livingston centre back Ayo Obileye. However, the former Queen of the South man seen his left-footed effort saved fantastically by Joe Hart. 

Jota then flashed a teasing ball across goal that just needed a slight touch to divert it goal wards but no one was willing to make the vital intervention. Minutes later, Celtic had a penalty. Daizen Maeda’s effort met the hand of Jack Fitzwater and Nick Walsh pointed to the spot. 

Usual penalty taker Josip Juranovic was benched for Anthony Ralston this afternoon so it was captain Callum McGregor who was on spot kick duty. The twenty eight year old stepped up but seen his effort rattle the post. Moments later, McGregor had a golden opportunity to make amends when Jota’s cross met his head although the midfielder nodded over. 

Just two minutes later though, McGregor’s blushes were spared as Anthony Ralston won a dubious corner on the right hand side. Jota’s delivery was flicked on at the front post by Carl Starfelt whose header was saved by Max Stryjek but Daizen Maeda was free at the back post to nod into an empty net. Celtic had a deserved lead on seventeen minutes. 

The visitors then looked to double their advantage seconds later although Tom Rogic’s curling effort from outside the box was held by Stryjek in the Livingston goal. 

Celtic then continued to pursue a second with Jota looking lively as ever on the left hand side. He was a thorn in the side of Nicky Devlin throughout the first half and it was his delivery which caused problems in the Livingston box with eight minutes to half time. Seconds later, Celtic had another penalty claim as once more, the ball appeared to hit the hand of Jack Fitzwater however the Hoops were denied a second chance to score from twelve yards. 

Despite Celtic’s dominance in the first half, it ended the way it finished, with an Ayo Obileye chance. Alan Forrest’s delivery from the left hand side met the head of the imposing centre half; Joe Hart stood and watched as the ball connected with his bar. 

The half time whistle sounded moments later and Celtic would go in a goal in front at the break. 

The Hoops would then make a startling start to the second period. Tom Rogic expertly held off Jason Holt in midfield to drive forward into the Livingston half. He found James Forrest who played in the overlapping Anthony Ralston. The right back fired across goal and Nicky Devlin could do no more than divert into his own net to put Celtic in the comfort zone on the forty sixth minute. 

The Bhoys’ high-octane opening to the second half continued as Daizen Maeda pressed well and won the ball off Ayo Obileye. The Japanese’s pass though, was slightly too heavy for the onrushing Tom Rogic. 

Just under ten minutes later, the eye-catching Jota played a superb line breaking pass to find James Forrest in behind the Livingston defence. His pace and movement got him to the ball ahead of Jack Fitzwater and the veteran winger expertly finished past Max Stryjek from an angle. This put Celtic three in front with over half an hour to go however Andrew Shinnie soon cancelled out Forrest’s strike. 

Nicky Devlin’s long throw created uncertainty in the Celtic penalty area and the aforementioned Shinnie poked home. This goal however, was only a slight bump in Celtic’s quest for victory as the Hoops would go on to dominate the remainder of the match despite Livingston’s attempts to pose more of a threat going forward through the arrival of Bruce Anderson. 

This was proved with Daizen Maeda receiving a huge chance to restore Celtic’s three goal lead when Jota found him in the box. Maeda’s first time effort though, was saved by the feet of Max Stryjek who had a busy day in the Livi goal. 

With fifteen minutes to go, Ange Postecoglou disposed the great strength and depth within his Celtic side. Giorgos Giakoumakis, Matt O’Riley and Liel Abada replaced all of Daizen Maeda, Tom Rogic and James Forrest respectively. With just over fifteen minutes to strut their stuff, it was extremely hard for any of the introduced players to impose themselves on the game although Liel Abada did have a powerful close range strike beaten away by Max Stryjek. 

In the last ten, Celtic endured to see out the match professionally. They limited Livingston to any significant chances towards the end and finally ended the curse of the Tony Macaroni Arena. 

Ultimately, it was a dominantly assertive performance from the Hoops who restored their three point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. They played some attractive, free-flowing attacking football to extend their unbeaten league run to 24 matches. In addition, they also put themselves eleven goals up on rivals Rangers which provides yet another safety net in the title race. 

As well as the match report, I have also delivered my customary player ratings. 

Here they are. 

Joe Hart - 7/10

Joe Hart had to stay switched on in the Celtic goal throughout the match and was tested early on as he denied Ayo Obileye from close range. The Englishman also had to be alert to prevent Craig Sibbald from making it a nervy last few minutes for Celtic as his palms were stung by the former Falkirk man’s long range effort. Although he wasn’t able to keep his third clean sheet in a row, I’m sure he was relatively pleased with his partaking in Celtic’s victory. 

Anthony Ralston - 7/10

The twenty three year old came in for Josip Juranovic at right back and contributed significantly to Celtic’s second goal with his cross being diverted into the back of the net via Nicky Devlin’s midriff. Ralston got up and down the right hand side well as he proved once more that he is a more than adequate option for Ange Postecoglou in the Celtic side. 

Cameron Carter-Vickers - 7/10

Both Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt were threatened by the ever-present Joel Nouble although the pair managed to deal with the Englishman’s threat amply. Carter-Vickers was unable to follow up his midweek goal against St. Mirren with another attacking contribution this afternoon although the American carried out his defensive duties proficiently. 

Carl Starfelt - 8/10

The Swedish centre back was calm and composed at the heart of the Celtic defence. Carl Starfelt was controlled on the ball and it was his front post header that led to Celtic’s opener. The twenty six year old continues to be extremely dependable for Celtic, starting and putting in a sufficient performance for the thirteenth game running. 

Greg Taylor - 8/10

Greg Taylor combined extremely well with Jota throughout the match, causing constant headaches for Nicky Devlin. The Scotland International appears to be Ange Postecoglou’s preferred option at left back and it cannot be denied having a left footed player there is advantageous. 

Nir Bitton - 7/10

Coming into the Celtic midfield for Reo Hatate this afternoon was Nir Bitton. The Israeli put in an unflustered display in the holding role, combining defensive solidity with nimble passes. 

Callum McGregor - 6/10

Callum McGregor was unable to convert from the spot fourteen minutes in and also headed over from a few yards out to cap off a miserable spell for the Celtic captain in the first half. Apart from that, McGregor had a relatively sound match and will look to bounce back in the Scottish Cup as Celtic travel to Tannadice next Monday. 

Tom Rogic - 7/10

The Australian midfielder made numerous driving runs from deep, one of which led to Celtic’s second goal as he played in Anthony Ralston on the right hand side. Tom Rogic was replaced by Matt O’Riley with fifteen minutes to play as the pair continue to fight it out for the advanced playmaker role in the Celtic team. 

James Forrest - 8/10

James Forrest looked sharp off the bench against St. Mirren midweek thus was awarded with a start this afternoon. This decision proved to be the correct one as we seen a vintage display from the thirty year old. Forrest was dynamic on the right hand side and showed great pace to latch on to Jota’s through pass and finish past Max Stryjek to double Celtic’s lead moments into the second half. This was only Forrest’s fourth goal of the season but here’s hoping the winger can keep up his recent form to provide Celtic yet another sufficient option in attack. 

Daizen Maeda - 8/10

The Japanese striker started for the sixth game running and repaid his manager’s faith in him by opening the scoring seventeen minutes in. Carl Starfelt’s header was saved by Max Stryjek and Maeda was unmarked at the back post to nod home on the rebound. The twenty four year old should’ve had another in the second half after Jota played him in however Stryjek denied Maeda. Striker is yet another position in the Celtic team where there is great competition and when Maeda’s fellow countryman Kyogo Furuhashi returns, it will add further firepower to the Celtic frontline. 

Jota - 8/10

The on loan winger was a thorn in the side of the Livingston rearguard as he was constantly crafting and cunning. Jota was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself after taking several shots on goal but he did manage to set up James Forrest as he threaded a lovely ball in behind the Lions’ defence. After a few stagnant performances lately, Jota got back on form this afternoon to help Celtic to a crucial victory. 

Substitutes 

I already mentioned the four Celtic substitutes in my match report and it goes to show the significant improvements Celtic have made in terms of squad depth in the last six months. The last time they visited Livingston players such as Mikey Johnston and Ismaila Soro were coming off the bench but in present day, the likes of Liel Abada and Giorgos Giakoumakis were being introduced. 

Celtic’s Livingston hoodoo has finally been broken as a result of today’s victory. The Bhoys were able to go to a not so happy hunting ground for themselves in recent times and restore their three point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. 

There is now only eight league games to go however it is Scottish Cup duty next for Celtic. They travel to Tannadice on Monday the 14th of March as they attempt to make it into the last four of the competition. 

Thank you for reading this article. If you have any thoughts or opinions, leave a comment below. Also, don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @Josh_Footblog for more Celtic and Scottish football content.