Match Pictures | Matches: 2022 – 2023
Trivia
- KO: 19:45; Wednesday, Celtic TV & PPV (£12.99)
- Celtic remain 9pt ahead in the league title and +19GD over Sevco; Sevco defeated Aberdeen with two injury time goals!
- Another var shambles, with many arguing that Abada’s VAR over ruled goal should have stood.
- Due to storm damage the big screen on the Jock Stein stand not working. Some flooding in the stadium lately.
- World Cup in Qatar now over, final was Sunday past with Argentina defeating France in a classic.
- Ange Postecoglou calls on referees to clamp down on time-wasting, urging officials to “hurry the game up”.
- Report: Ferencvaros “open” to selling Aissa Laidouni, who was previously linked with Celtic, cost est £3.5m
- Reports: Porto linked to move for Stephen Welsh. Bosun Lawal in demand by Brentford and some Italian sides. Johnny Kenny is set to join Shamrock Rovers on loan. Aston Villa, Fulham and Burnley are keeping tabs on Celtic B team captain Ewan Otoo ahead of a possible January move for the 20-year-old central defender. Premier League clubs are following Liel Abada for the future.
- Ange Postecoglou states “getting pretty close” to making a third winter signing.
- Barcelona & Chelsea reportedly in hunt to sign Josip Juranović as are a group of clubs.
- Livingston holding a food bank collection. Respect to them for that.
- Sevco: “I didn’t get to where I am by being disrespectful…. it was a very innocent comment that was taken too far.” New Sevco manager Michael Beale says his reference to Celtic as “the other team” last week was taken out of context and he meant no disrespect by it.
- Music: Terry Hall: lead singer of the Specials dies aged 63. Famous classic tunes included Ghost Town. RIP
- Politics: Govt to sue Michelle Mone, a Tory peer in the House of Lords and lingerie company owner, over an alleged scam over covid related PPE that has cost public est 125m.
Summary
“There’s not a player in that building that I think Ange has not improved”
David Martindale (Livingston manager)
“Right now, there’s nothing. Zero. Zip. Nada. Nothing going on,”
Ange Postecoglou on transfer activity
Ange Postecoglou on if Ralston’s injury means reshuffling the squad for Saturday: “We’ll see. In terms of Anthony we’ll see how he pulls up, hopefully it’s nothing serious. But, on performance alone, I think there’ll be some changes for sure.”
El Celtico of KDS: We were good in the first half without being scintillating, and a 2-0 lead was the least we deserved … but we somehow allowed it to be 2-1. The second half is as bad as we have played all season.
We might have over-performed earlier in the season (9-0, 6-1, 4-0s etc), and now we are probably under-performing (last 4 games have been 1-goal margin wins, some fairly nervy). No reason to believe we can’t pick it up and again and get our mojo back.
Nevybhoy: Well, I thought we were decent in the first half and huffed and puffed in the 2nd half with no real penetration. We moved the ball back and forth across the Livingston defenders with no real movement, one-two’s or combinations. I thought O’Riley and Hatate were both wasteful in possession which is unusual for them. The back four were reliable and played some good forward passes. Bernabei was awful and showed why he isnt first pick. The problems tonight mirrored the Aberdeen game. Lots of possession and no real creativity. Jota, O’Riley and Hatate have to come to life.
Twitter:
@bp: 6pts from first two games back is great. We’ve totally controlled both games but a lot of huffing and puffing to get the job done. Hopefully can get a comfortable win on Saturday ahead of two massive games.
@agentscotland: Since the introduction of VAR Celtic have won every game (7) but they’ve only managed to win two of them by more than one goal and one of those was thanks to two injury time goals. Despite the wins it feels like there’s a lot of trepidation in their game, particularly 2nd half.
Tont67: The question on the Celtic disallowed goal at Celtic park last night has still to be answered,did the officials on the park not know the rules, or the officials in the VAR studio not know the rules, could someone from the SFA or Referees Committee please clarify this to us al
Teams
Celtic
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Hart
- 56Ralston
- Substituted forBernabeiat 56′minutesBooked at 86mins
- 20Carter-Vickers
- 4Starfelt
- 3Taylor
- 33O’Riley
- Substituted forMooyat 82′minutes
- 42McGregor
- 41Hatate
- Substituted forTurnbullat 64′minutes
- 11Abada
- 8FuruhashiBooked at 62mins
- Substituted forGiakoumakisat 82′minutes
- 17Neves Filipe
- Substituted forHaksabanovicat 64′minutes
Substitutes
- 6Jenz
- 7Giakoumakis
- 9Haksabanovic
- 13Mooy
- 14Turnbull
- 25Bernabei
- 31Siegrist
- 38Maeda
- 49Forrest
Goals:
- Obileye (23′ minutes og),
- Furuhashi (45′ minutes)
Assists:
- Abada (45′ minutes)
Livingston
Formation 5-4-1
- 31Konovalov
- 2Devlin
- 5Fitzwater
- 6Obileye
- Substituted forBoyesat 45′minutesBooked at 77mins
- 3Longridge
- 11MontañoBooked at 57mins
- Substituted forShinnieat 69′minutes
- 17Kelly
- 33OméongaBooked at 47mins
- Substituted forPittmanat 70′minutes
- 24Kelly
- Substituted forHoltat 69′minutes
- 29Penrice
- 9Anderson
- Substituted forEsmael Gonçalvesat 76′minutes
Substitutes
- 7Bahamboula
- 8Pittman
- 10Esmael Gonçalves
- 15Boyes
- 18Holt
- 19Nouble
- 22Shinnie
- 25Cancar
- 32Hamilton
Goals:
- Devlin (45’+2 minutes)
Assists:
Ref:Euan Anderson
Att:
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
- Possession
- Home77%
- Away23%
- Shots
- Home23
- Away3
- Shots on Target
- Home10
- Away2
- Corners
- Home10
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away8
Articles
SKY
https://www.skysports.com/football/celtic-vs-livingston/report/465056
Ange Postecoglou was unhappy with his aspects of his side’s “unacceptable” attack despite restoring a nine-point Scottish Premiership lead by beating Livingston 2-1.
Postecoglou’s side dominated proceedings at Parkhead as an own goal from Ayo Obileye and an excellent team goal finished by Kyogo put them in control before Nicky Devlin’s consolation, but the Bhoys boss still felt they were not in top gear.
“The performance wasn’t our best to be fair,” he said. “I thought first half we controlled the game and did the things we wanted to do but I was disappointed, we created some good opportunities, and didn’t have people in the box doing their jobs.
“The amount of time the ball got flashed across the six-yard box and we weren’t there is unacceptable. We work on it constantly, so players know they should be in that area.”
Kyogo finished off a brilliant team move for the hosts
Image: Kyogo finished off a brilliant team move for the hosts
Liel Abada had a third controversially ruled out for offside in the second half, but it did not matter as Celtic regained their healthy advantage at the top of the table with an 11th league victory in a row.
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The result means Postecoglou’s side are now mathematically assured to go into the Old Firm derby at Rangers on January 2, live on Sky Sports, at the top of the table.
How Celtic made it 11 wins in a row
Celtic started the game strongly with many of their attacks emanating from their right side occupied by Abada – the only change made by Postecoglou from the weekend win over Aberdeen.
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First, Anthony Ralston’s low cross caused havoc in the Livingston penalty area and the loose ball fell to Kyogo, who fired wide while on the turn.
As Celtic continued to show their dominance, Obileye was warned about the potential of an own goal as he headed on a Celtic free-kick towards the roof of the visitors’ net but goalkeeper Ivan Konovalov managed to tip it over.
Ayo Obileye scored an own goal early on for Livingston
Image: Ayo Obileye scored an own goal early on for Livingston
Ralston’s rasping effort flew over the far corner and Reo Hatate put another good effort wide of Konovalov’s near post – but it was not long until the champions took the lead.
Abada’s cross from the right was unfortunately put high into his net by Obileye, who was under no pressure, and it was the least Postecoglou’s side deserved.
Celtic went in search for more as Abada slipped in Kyogo but Konovalov rushed off his line to deny him from close range. The Livingston goalkeeper was forced into a similar circumstances to deny Hatate moments later, this time down the Celtic left.
Livingston were looking to hang on, Celtic cut them open for a second as the clock ticked into first-half stoppage time. Ralston cut open the visiting defence with a through ball to Abada, who crossed for Kyogo to tap home from close range.
Nicky Devlin pulled a goal back for Livingston after Kyogo's strike
Image: Nicky Devlin pulled a goal back for Livingston after Kyogo’s strike
There was still time, however, for Livingston to pull one back as Devlin was slipped through on goal and he just touched the ball beyond the previously untroubled Joe Hart in the visitors’ first attack of the game.
Livingston re-emerged in the second period with attacking intentions as Cristian Montano put a good chance wide of Hart’s near post when found in space on the left.
The visitors went close again just after the hour mark, with Stephen Kelly testing Hart’s palms with a stinging effort from distance – the Celtic goalkeeper awkwardly palmed the shot away.
Abada, who ended the game with two assists, had a goal for himself ruled out by VAR
Image: Abada had a goal for himself ruled out by VAR
There was time for VAR controversy as Callum McGregor’s pass forwards was headed back towards his goal by substitute Martin Boyes, with Abada – standing in an offside position – running on and scoring from the chance.
Referee Euan Anderson was sent to the monitor and ruled the goal out, to the dismay of many inside Parkhead.
Aaron Mooy, Abada and Sead Haksabanovic all went close to a Celtic third late on, but barring a few nervy moments in seven minutes of stoppage time, the champions held on for a 11th league win in a row.
Postecoglou: It wasn’t our best performance
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou speaking to Sky Sports News:
“It wasn’t our best performance. The first half, we controlled it well, I’m just disappointed we didn’t have enough numbers in the box and capitalise on those areas. At 2-0 up, to concede a goal like we did, that was a soft one today after so long not conceding soft goals. So that was disappointing.
“We need to be better in the box, they were quality opportunities. It’s not easy when the opposition are camped in there to find the space, but we do and we don’t have enough people at the end of it. Players have got away from it a little bit and we have to emphasise that.
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Ange Postecoglou reflects on Celtic’s 2-1 win over Livingston that moves his side nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership
“Abada is good. He’s such a positive player and consistently causing problems for the opposition. There were a couple of times he could have got on the end of things.
“I’m not going to be asking for [an explanation about the third goal]. I’m not going to keep banging on about VAR and the intrusions in the game. That’s one where he doesn’t need to go to the monitor.
“Hopefully Ralston is not too bad, he was in the wars to be fair. He got a knock on the ankle, bang on the nose and then his back seized up.
“I felt we needed a bit of rhythm and cohesion [with just the one change for the line-up] but with the short turnaround and another game in three, four days, we’ll look to make changes. But there are other players who deserve their opportunity.”
Martindale: I can’t grumble about result but I’m proud
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David Martindale admits Celtic deserved to come out on top against his Livingston side in the Scottish Premiership
Livingston manager David Martindale speaking to Sky Sports News:
“I was disappointed with the two goals we gave away. I knew that was of their strongest points and we worked on it in the middle of the week. We have up the wide areas too much. The first goal is a slight deflection on the cross and the second, we have to deal with the front area better.
“We scored a decent goal ourselves and got more information into the boys at half-time and we were more on the front foot in the second half. We had a wee opportunity in the game and they were making bad mistakes so we could get higher up the park. We had a 10-15 minute period after the second period, then Ange and I make a few changes and we can’t get back in the game.
Abada is challenged by Cristian Montano
Image: Abada is challenged by Cristian Montano
“I was really proud of the boys, they stuck to the game plan. Other teams play a low block and get beat four or five. Ivan wasn’t really busy. In the low block, you have to have discipline and the boys had that. Barring the two goals, I’m really proud.
“It’s credit to the players – I’m not saying we should have had three points or one point. Celtic dominate the game. We were always in the game.
“I’m really pleased for the boys. People talk about parking the bus but we were always in it. We could have done a bit better with the counter a couple of times. But Celtic have picked the three points up and I can’t grumble about it.”
Celtic and the curious disconnect – how Livingston win continued recent trend
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-and-the-curious-disconnect-how-livingston-win-continued-recent-trend-3962764
There is a curious disconnect at work with Celtic.
Andrew Smith
By Andrew Smith
9 hours ago
Updated 9 hours ago
1 Comment
Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates after scoring what proved to be Celtic’s winner against Livingston. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates after scoring what proved to be Celtic’s winner against Livingston. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Even as Ange Postecolgou’s men find themselves in a position that could hardly be peachier – the 2-1 win at home to Livingston earning them a 10th straight league win restoring their nine point lead at the top the table – Celtic’s latest success followed a recent trend evidenced either side of the World Cup break. They were utterly dominant for long periods but failed to convert this into a doing. As with the previous 1-0 victory at Aberdeen, their chance-count and possession-count – 23 and 78% – were of the sort that tend to precipitate drubbings. Instead, for the fifth straight league outing, the three points for Celtic were not absolutely assured until referee Euan Anderson sounded the full-time whistle.
The home crowd placed the blame for that squarely at the official, who they called for everything in the closing stages. A result – inevitably – of VAR involvement after Liel Abada had the ball in the net on the 72nd minute for a goal that would have made it 3-1, and settled the contest. Anderson instantly gave it, even though the Israeli looked well offside when the ball was initially played forward. The complication was that before it reached the winger, it was touched by centre-back Morgan Boyes under-pressure from the back-peddling Abada. The referee was instructed to consult his monitor as the decision on the legitimacy of the strike became subjective. A consequence of the laws decreeing a deliberate attempt by the defender to play the ball would have negated Abada’s initial offside status.
Anderson seemed correct with his final judgement, and that ensured a curiously nervy end to the encounter for Postecoglou’s men that should have been avoided after they fashioned countless opportunities in the opening spell. Only for the deadlock breaker midway through the half to come from Ayo Obileye shinning into his own net a whipped in right-sided cross by the standout Abada.
Celtic seemed home and hosed on the stroke of the interval courtesy of a sparkling strike. A sumptuous diagonal pass from Anthony Ralston – later forced off with injury – allowed Abada to drill in for Kyogo Furuhashi. In the blink of an eye, the striker met the ball at the front post and flashed it high into the net. Immediately from the restart, and in the second minute of added time, Nicky Devlin was somehow able to bundle his way through, despite the close attentions of a posse of Celtic players in the box, and poke wide of Joe Hart diving at his feet. That madcap back-and-forth summed up a strange old night.
Celtic will point to a couple of smart saves from keeper Ivan Konovalov – making only his second league appearance for David Martindale’s men – for making the confrontation more awkward for them than it ought to have been. Their own untidiness, especially in the final third, was more pertinent to the West Lothian men proving once more a difficult nut to crack for the Scottish champions. However, Postecoglou could point to the fact that simply seeing out the win represented progress. Livingston’s last visit to Glasgow’s east end concluded with a scoreless draw. However, that was way back in October last year. And since then no Scottish team since has been able to keep a clean sheet at Celtic Park. Meaning Celtic’s continued prolifigacy can be considered small potatoes.
‘Unacceptable’ – Ange Postecoglou slams Celtic players who ‘weren’t doing their jobs’ in win over Livingston
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/unacceptable-ange-postecoglou-slams-celtic-players-who-werent-doing-their-jobs-in-win-over-livingston-3962773
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou was moved to describe has team’s decision-making in the penalty box “unacceptable” as he was left unenthused by aspects of their 2-1 win over Livingston.
Andrew Smith
By Andrew Smith
9 hours ago
Updated 9 hours ago
1 Comment
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou looks frustrated during the 2-1 win over Livingston. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou looks frustrated during the 2-1 win over Livingston. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
A plethora of balls drilled into the area found no takers to ensure an uncomfortable spell in the second period for his team – a goal conceded straight after going 2-0 up on the stroke of half time – and the upshot was the Australian subsequently questioning the approach of his attackers.
“It’s not [about being] clinical; it’s just being disciplined and being in those areas,” the Celtic manager said. “We still created chances but those numbers should be greater if we got on the end of things. It’s unacceptable – we work on it constantly so players know they should be in that area. People in the box weren’t doing their jobs. Balls flashed across goal but people weren’t there. It’s disappointing because we work on that constantly.
“We’ve had a lot of success playing that way so when it doesn’t happen I get frustrated because there’s no reason we shouldn’t do it. At 2-0 the game should have been over. We conceded a soft goal which we’ve not done a lot of either. We lost concentration for a moment. The second half was OK. We controlled the game but there wasn’t a great deal of rhythm.
“It’s not anticipation because we know what’s going to happen. We work on it constantly. People said last week we’ve scored 200 goals and a lot have been like that. Maybe it’s human nature and people maybe think there are other ways to score. I was disappointed we didn’t take advantage of the chances we created.”
‘Phenomenal’ – David Martindale heaps praise on how Celtic are run after Livingston’s 2-1 defeat at Parkhead
Livingston manager David Martindale refused to bemoan financial differentials evident in how Celtic could counter his team gaining a second half foothold as they went down 2-1 at the home of the Scottish champions.
Andrew Smith
By Andrew Smith
9 hours ago
Updated 9 hours ago
1 Comment
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/phenomenal-david-martindale-heaps-praise-on-how-celtic-are-run-after-livingstons-2-1-defeat-at-parkhead-3962772
Instead he heaped praise on how Celtic are run for the fact Ange Postecoglou was able to turn to his bench and bring on internationals such as Sead Haksabanovic, David Turnbull, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Aaron Mooy as they started to lose impetus against their visitors. The changes ensuring they could see out their 16th win in 17 league encounters.
“That’s Celtic’s business model. Celtic have every right to do that,” said Martindale. “I talk about budgets and I don’t mean it in a disrespectful way. The way Celtic has been run over the years is phenomenal. They have a fantastic business model, a huge turnover, but that is down to their business model. Which then allows them to go and attract a certain type of player [they can bring on in games].”
Marindale also placed a positive spin on the workings of the much-derided VAR system, which came under scrutiny once more with referee Euan Anderson ruling out a Liel Abada strike late on for offisde, after being instructed to go to his monitor. A subjective element introduced because, though the Israeli was initially in an offside position, contact was made with the ball by Morgan Boyes before it made its way to the winger to finish.
“I thought VAR was magnificent,” he said with a grin. “I thought it was offside. He [Abada] made a movement and big Morgan stumbled slightly. I thought it was right. The referee reffed the game there and had the option to look at the monitor to let him make that decision. VAR assisted the referee to referee the game and for me he came out the right side.”
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62776399
By Martin DowdenBBC Scotland at Celtic Park
Last updated on
21 December 202221 December 2022.From the section Scottish Premiership
Celtic 2-1 LIvingston: Ange Postecoglou’s side go nine points clear by beating Livingston
Celtic restored their nine-point lead at the summit of the Scottish Premiership after overcoming stubborn Livingston.
Ayo Obileye’s own goal and a close-range Kyogo Furuhashi finish put the dominant hosts in control in Glasgow.
But an instant reply through Nicky Devlin seconds before the break threatened an unlikely comeback.
Liel Abada had a third controversially ruled out after a VAR check, but Celtic still closed out the game comfortably.
Ange Postecoglou’s side, who enjoyed the vast majority of chances but failed to put the result beyond doubt, have won both matches since returning from the World Cup break, while Livingston remain sixth after their first game in over a month.
Reaction & how it happened
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‘Abada on song as Celtic waltz to familiar tune’ – Tom English
What was never in doubt was the direction of travel for the majority of this contest.
Celtic attacked with utter relentlessness from the off with Livingston forced into reverse gear. What was unexpected was how cagey this would become.
Reo Hatate was first to threaten with a dangerous low cross, then thundered a shot just past.
Anthony Ralston was next with a shot just over before releasing Abada scampering down the right. His cross was accurate but Obileye got in a fankle and diverted home to unlock the door. The last thing Livingston needed as they tried to hang in, but a deserved outcome if not a touch fortunate.
Celtic combined, probed and urgently harried on the rare occasions they lost possession. Livingston were still alive in the game, but couldn’t get out.
But when it eventually arrived, the second, and ultimately decisive goal, was exquisite.
Ralston picked out Abada with a tremendous ball inside the wing back. His cross was first time, as was Kyogo’s finish, as he slammed home from close range just before half-time.
That was that, or so everyone thought. How many more was the question?
Devlin, on his 100th Livingston appearance, had other ideas. He muscled into Celtic’s box, withheld a challenge and poked home exposing a moment of slackness 90 seconds after Celtic’s second.
The hosts’ rhythm was disrupted. Things didn’t flow as easily. Passes were off target, shots became more scarce. The outcome became less straightforward.
That idea intensified when Stephen Kelly battered a first-time shot on the volley but Joe Hart responded well.
Abada had a strike ruled out for offside as Livingston refused to relent, with referee Euan Anderson going to the screen following a lengthy pause.
Celtic got over the line. They deserved the victory, but it was far less straightforward than it might have been.
Player of the match – Liel Abada
Liel Abada
Liel Abada was always a threat on the wing and provided two assists which proved vital. He might have had one or two goals to add to his impressive numbers on a different night
Postecoglou will have private frustrations – analysis
This was a curious encounter.
Celtic were coasting, cruising towards Ivan Konovalov’s goal with wave after wave and could have been ought of sight with better finishing.
That was until Devlin’s goal just before half-time.
Livingston’s performance vastly improved with some tactical and personnel changes and it was a far more even contest in the second half. They will take real positives from that.
Yes, Celtic had more of the ball but struggled to create clear opportunities. There was always a nagging thought that Livingston might just somehow nick a second.
It’s a 10th straight Premiership win for Postecoglou’s side. That regained their nine-point cushion over Rangers, but the manager will have private frustrations about how this game developed.
What they said
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: ‘It wasn’t one of our best’
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: “I thought the performance wasn’t one of our best. The first half was OK – but I’m disappointed that we had balls across the box and we didn’t have bodies in those areas.
“At 2-0 the game should have been over for us. When you’re faced with teams sitting back you’ve got to find ways of getting in behind.”
Livingston’s Martindale disappointed at manner of Celtic goals
Livingston manager David Martindale: “I think it was a fair outcome. We were always in the game. I was disappointed in the manner of the two goals.
“We managed to get ourselves back in the game and there was a spell in the second half, maybe 15-20 minutes, when the game was more competitive and we got more pressure on the ball in the final third.”
What next?
Celtic host St Johnstone on Saturday (12:30 GMT) looking to stretch their winning run and, at least, maintain the cushion over Rangers.
Livingston travel to a Hibernian side struggling for points and will go there with encouragement (14:00).
Celtic: Liel Abada stars as Postecoglou faces Groundhog Day
By Tom EnglishBBC Scotland at Celtic Park
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64059972
Last updated on
21 December 202221 December 2022.From the section Celtic
Celtic 2-1 LIvingston: Ange Postecoglou’s side go nine points clear by beating Livingston
It would be wrong to say Liel Abada is unsung at Celtic Park, but when the hymns of praise start up it’s normally his attacking mates Kyogo Furuhashi and Jota who get serenaded.
Abada is 21 years old and how his team needed his input on Wednesday against Livingston. A night which looked like a cakewalk in the making became a bit of a struggle, a game which saw Celtic accelerate into a 2-0 lead with the promise of more turned into a frustrating affair.
Celtic rarely looked in danger of dropping any points but, equally, they never got anywhere close to their best level.
Credit Livingston for that. Their organisation, their commitment, their belief kept them in the hunt. They just refused to be swatted. David Martindale is a sharp cookie. His teams don’t tend to swoon in bigger stadiums and against more glamorous opponents.
Celtic see off stubborn Livi to go nine clear
Reaction & how it happened
This wasn’t a repeat of Aberdeen on Saturday. Livingston had way more about them as a team. They scored, asked a few questions, denied Celtic a comfort in their play. It was all pretty fractious, a little ugly.
The creative force behind both of Celtic’s goals was Abada, one cross being turned into his own net by Ayo Obileye and another being swept in by Kyogo. Those were the decisive moments. That’s five assists this season along with seven goals in the league, this on top of 15 goals and 11 assists last season.
It’s quite a haul for a young player at a demanding club in an unfamiliar country.
He had a goal ruled out by VAR, which was just and unjust at the same time. He was offside but his contribution deserved a goal. Later on, he had a shot across the face of the Livingston net. He was Celtic’s most important player on the night their nine-point lead at the top was restored.
On a number of occasions this season and last it has been Abada who has unlocked doors for Celtic, scoring a 90th-minute goal against Dundee United that made it 3-2 which quickly became 4-2, scoring the first two in a win over Motherwell, scoring the deadlock-breaker in the 4-0 win over Rangers.
‘Postecoglou living a Groundhog Day existence’
This is the strength of Ange Postecoglou’s team. There’s nearly always somebody there to get the job done on difficult days.
At 2-0, this didn’t give the appearance of one of those sticky matches, but it was. Celtic, of course, had masses of possession and mountains of attempts on goal.
They also had a doughty opponent that grew in confidence. We think of Celtic as a smooth-running side but, really, they dig out more wins through character than they obliterate opponents through quality.
You wonder what Postecoglou makes of all of this. Most weeks his team is asked to break down cautious teams. It comes with the territory of having most of the best players in the country and vast wealth in comparison to nearly all others. But he must feel sometimes like he’s living a Groundhog Day existence.
At the weekend they had 33 shots on Aberdeen’s goal and 81% possession. They won it late in the day. In their previous game they had 22 shots on Ross County’s goal and 75% and again won by a single goal. Again last night they enjoyed huge numbers in possession and shots and there was only one in it at the end.
The winter months can have a grinding feel to them. Never mind the class, just count the points. Celtic are on a long winning run and they look like a team that’s almost forgotten how to lose league games.
Only St Mirren have managed to crack the code, with 20% and four shots to Celtic’s 19. That had a freakish nature to it.
Things like that don’t happen very often. Celtic, even playing beneath themselves, get the job done. Rangers continue to pray for signs of weakness and dropped points, but there’s no sign.
This wasn’t pretty and the memory of it will have failed by the time anybody got to the car park, but none of that matters.
Three points, three points, three points. That’s the happy rhythm of Postecoglou’s team as they go for two-in-a-row.
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Match ends, Celtic 2, Livingston 1.
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Celtic 2, Livingston 1.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Morgan Boyes.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Alexandro Bernabei.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
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Post update
Foul by Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic).
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Post update
Jason Holt (Livingston) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Liel Abada (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Aaron Mooy (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Giorgos Giakoumakis.
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Booking
Alexandro Bernabei (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
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Post update
Foul by Alexandro Bernabei (Celtic).
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Post update
Jason Holt (Livingston) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Aaron Mooy replaces Matt O’Riley.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Giorgos Giakoumakis replaces Kyogo Furuhashi.
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Post update
Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Post update
Foul by Jason Holt (Livingston).
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Post update
Attempt missed. Liel Abada (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by David Turnbull.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Liel Abada (Celtic) header from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Sead Haksabanovic with a cross.
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Booking
Morgan Boyes (Livingston) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Post update
Foul by Morgan Boyes (Livingston).
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Substitution
Substitution, Livingston. Esmaël Gonçalves replaces Bruce Anderson.
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Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Post update
VAR Decision: No Goal Celtic 2-1 Livingston.
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Post update
GOAL OVERTURNED BY VAR: Liel Abada (Celtic) scores but the goal is ruled out after a VAR review.
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Post update
Offside, Celtic. David Turnbull tries a through ball, but Liel Abada is caught offside.
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Substitution
Substitution, Livingston. Scott Pittman replaces Stéphane Oméonga.
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Substitution
Substitution, Livingston. Andrew Shinnie replaces Cristian Montaño.
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Substitution
Substitution, Livingston. Jason Holt replaces Sean Kelly.
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Post update
Attempt missed. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Sead Haksabanovic.
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Post update
Foul by David Turnbull (Celtic).
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Post update
Stephen Kelly (Livingston) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Offside, Livingston. Stephen Kelly tries a through ball, but Morgan Boyes is caught offside.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Stephen Kelly (Livingston) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Jack Fitzwater.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. David Turnbull replaces Reo Hatate.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Sead Haksabanovic replaces Jota.
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Booking
Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Foul by Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic).
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Post update
Jack Fitzwater (Livingston) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
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Post update
Cristian Montaño (Livingston) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Booking
Cristian Montaño (Livingston) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Liel Abada (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Cristian Montaño (Livingston).
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Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Alexandro Bernabei replaces Anthony Ralston because of an injury.
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Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Anthony Ralston (Celtic).
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Post update
Foul by Carl Starfelt (Celtic).
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Post update
Bruce Anderson (Livingston) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Cristian Montaño (Livingston) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Stéphane Oméonga.
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Booking
Stéphane Oméonga (Livingston) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Jota (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Stéphane Oméonga (Livingston).
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Post update
Foul by Liel Abada (Celtic).
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Post update
Stéphane Oméonga (Livingston) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Second Half
Second Half begins Celtic 2, Livingston 1.
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Substitution
Substitution, Livingston. Morgan Boyes replaces Ayo Obileye.
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Half Time
First Half ends, Celtic 2, Livingston 1.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) with an attempt from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Jota with a cross.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Nicky Devlin.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
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Goal!
Goal! Celtic 2, Livingston 1. Nicky Devlin (Livingston) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner.
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Goal!
Goal! Celtic 2, Livingston 0. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) left footed shot from very close range to the top right corner. Assisted by Liel Abada.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
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Post update
Liel Abada (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Post update
Foul by Cristian Montaño (Livingston).
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Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Anthony Ralston (Celtic).
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Post update
Corner, Livingston. Conceded by Cameron Carter-Vickers.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Nicky Devlin.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Carl Starfelt (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Reo Hatate (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Nicky Devlin.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
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Post update
Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Stéphane Oméonga (Livingston).
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jackson Longridge.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ivan Konovalov.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Reo Hatate (Celtic) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jota.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ivan Konovalov.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Liel Abada.
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Post update
Foul by Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic).
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Post update
Bruce Anderson (Livingston) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Reo Hatate (Celtic).
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Post update
James Penrice (Livingston) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ivan Konovalov.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Anthony Ralston (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Anthony Ralston (Celtic).
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Goal!
Own Goal by Ayo Obileye, Livingston. Celtic 1, Livingston 0.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Anthony Ralston (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top left corner.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ivan Konovalov.
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Post update
Liel Abada (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Post update
Foul by Cristian Montaño (Livingston).
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Post update
Attempt missed. Reo Hatate (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Matt O’Riley.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Anthony Ralston.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Reo Hatate (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left following a corner.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jack Fitzwater.
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Post update
Foul by Matt O’Riley (Celtic).
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Post update
James Penrice (Livingston) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Offside, Celtic. Jota tries a through ball, but Greg Taylor is caught offside.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left.
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Post update
Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Stéphane Oméonga (Livingston).
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Post update
Offside, Celtic. Cameron Carter-Vickers tries a through ball, but Jota is caught offside.
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Kick Off
First Half begins.
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Post update
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.