As exorcisms go, this one seemed a fairly convincing retort as Celtic confidently banished the demons that have spooked them in previous encounters against Livingston with a dominant win.
Goals from Daizen Maeda, an own-goal from Nicky Devlin and a first league goal of the season for the impressive James Forrest rendered Andrew Shinnie’s reply as nothing more than a statistical note.
In fairness, the 15-year ‘hoodoo’ was more than a little overcooked given that Livingston spent 12 of those years out of the top flight. It did, though, stretch to a five-game period of frustration in which they had failed to leave with all three points.
Overcooked or not, though, there was a feeling that the manner of Celtic’s emergence from this game with all three points will have felt like a test of their Championship mettle given the obstinate nature of their opponents who have been one of the form teams in the country these past few weeks.
This was a performance from Ange Postecouglou’s side that seemed to harness the attacking verve and tempo that characterised the displays immediately after the winter break but which have been absent in recent games.
And for all that there remain defensive frailties from set-pieces within this Celtic side it was impossible to overlook the impressive nature of a performance that was composed and controlled as they held their nerve and their head.
With Rangers putting on the pressure with a win over Aberdeen on Saturday and the games beginning to count down – 8 now to go – this one felt like more than just a routine victory as Celtic preserved their three point advantage at the top of the table.
Not even an inauspicious start to this encounter as 13th minute Callum McGregor penalty bounced off a post could derail a Celtic side who seemed possessed in their drive and hunt for goals.
Livingston’s threat was largely rendered to set-pieces – it was a deep throw-in that brought their goal while a first-half corner and free-kick had caused some consternation with a Joe Hart save and a crossbar bounce preventing any damage – but Celtic seemed to carry menace with every forward movement.
McGregor had his head in his hands after the penalty miss but Celtic did not miss a beat as they looked to compose themselves quickly.
Keen to atone immediately McGregor header over from Jota’s cross moments after before Maeda gave Celtic the opening goal.
It was not without controversy with Livingston irked at the corner which led to the opener. If immediate impressions were ambiguous, television replays seemed to suggest that the ball came off of the arm of Anthony Ralston as he and Jason Holt tangled on the touchline.
From the set-piece Jota’s corner was met by Starfelt whose header was well repelled by Stryjek at full stretch before Maeda’s instinctive glancing header bundled it over the line; for a player who has drawn criticism his return now of 5 goals in 12 games is not a bad defence.
Rogic turned in a left-foot effort from the edge of the box that Stryjek was equal to before Jota cut in before unleashing a wild effort. Stryjek, rarely out of action for more than a few minutes at a time in a game where Celtic were relentless at coming at him, caused consternation when he fumbled a Ralston cross but there was no-one there to penalise him for the error.
Having weathered the storm Livingston almost sneaked a leveller on the cusp of the half-time whistle. Alan Forrest whipped in a pacey free-kick that Obileye whacked off the crossbar, a reminder that for all that Celtic had dominated proceedings there remain vulnerabilities defensively.
If attack, then, is the best form of defence Postecoglou’s side doubled their advantage immediately after the restart. Livingston defender Nicky Devlin turned a wicked Ralston delivery into his own net while under pressure from Maeda to give Celtic a more comfortable cushion.
Keen to go for the jugular, Celtic continued to press with Rogic denied by the advancing Stryjek who was quick off his line to smother the danger from the Australian midfielder. Interestingly, yesterday’s game as a 29th start this season for the internationalist, the highest number of games he has kicked off in the entirety of the ten years he has spent at the club.
It was Jota who was central to Celtic’s third with his long pass picking out Forrest who calmly dispatched his first league goal of the season as he netted at the near post.
If Celtic thought they were home and dry, Livingston, to their credit, forced an immediate rethink with a swift reply. A long throw-in caught Celtic sleeping with Andrew Shinnie forcing the ball into the net.
Forrest almost restored Celtic’s cushion with a jinking run into the box that brought forth a save from the ever-busy Stryjek. It was an impressive display all-round from Forrest, the most experienced and most decorated player within Celtic’s ranks with his overall attacking display suggesting that some of the criticism he has attracted in recent weeks is premature.
In one sweeping second-half move that started with Greg Taylor and went through Rogic and Jota before Stryjek denied Maeda with an out-stretched boot, Celtic seemed to have firmly announced a return to their attacking groove.
As they close in on the final strait it would chime with Postecoglou’s plan that his side hits peak form for the run-in.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel