A more than decent second half performance from Celtic at Livingston this afternoon delivered the 3-0 victory we predicted on The Celtic Star in our match preview yesterday. A bizarre own goal early in the second half was followed by strikes from substitute Paulo Bernardo and Matt O’Riley in a match where Reo Hatate looked like he’s hit the ground running after his long injury lay-off. That hour sets him up nicely for Ibrox.
In a typically frustrating first half at the Tony Macaroni the two main points of note were VAR’s lack of interest in the foul on Kyogo inside the Livingston area and the Japanese striker almost opening the scoring with our first shot on target just before the whistle. That penalty incident shows that Celtic are being refereed differently to theRangers.
🗣️ “I’m really surprised Don Robertson wasn’t sent over to the monitor to have a look… Kyogo gets to the ball first.”
🗣️ “He’s already down before the contact’s made.”The studio disagree over Celtic’s claim for a penalty vs Livingston ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Ox0usTvefJ
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 31, 2024
The win takes Celtic back to the top of the table and also ahead of theRangers on goal difference ahead of our trip to Ibrox next weekend.
Nicolas Kuhn was a well deserved Man-of-the-Match in a game where Brendan Rodgers was sitting in the stand serving his one-match touchline ban for calling out John Beaton’s disgraceful afternoon on VAR duties at Tynecastle earlier this month.
🗣️ “We’re in a good place… it’s about maintaining that.”
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Nicolas Kühn react to Celtic’s victory at Livingston ahead of next week’s derby with Rangers. Watch more analysis and reaction live on @SkyFootball 📺 pic.twitter.com/W83o6lmGsm
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 31, 2024
For Livingston today is another step closer to the Premiership exit door and it is going to take a remarkable turnaround for them to save their top flight status now. We won’t miss that pitch but the away allocation will certainly be missed. It would be a great wee stadium to visit if they followed Kilmarnock’s lead and opted to return to grass.
Here are the three Celtic goals from today’s 3-0 win over Livingston that takes Celtic back to the top of the league.
Celtic have the breakthrough against Livingston after this unfortunate own goal by Jamie Brandon…
🗣️ “They’ve had to be patient but the goal has come!”
Celtic have the breakthrough against Livingston after this unfortunate own goal by Jamie Brandon. Watch the second-half live on @SkyFootball 📺 pic.twitter.com/nP6DV5PXE2
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 31, 2024
Paulo Bernardo doubles Celtic’s lead against Livingston with this strike from outside the box.
🔥 “He really can hit them!”
Paulo Bernardo doubles Celtic’s lead against Livingston with this strike from outside the box. Watch it live on @SkyFootball 📺 pic.twitter.com/6lDcfuUsoH
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 31, 2024
Matt O’Riley makes it three for Celtic vs Livingston.
⚽️ “Well you might as well give your goal difference a boost when you’re embroiled in a title race!”
Matt O’Riley makes it three for Celtic vs Livingston. Watch the game live on @SkyFootball 📺 pic.twitter.com/4cAEjzNTiq
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 31, 2024
