Celtic travel through to West Lothian today to face David Martindale’s Livingston as the Hoops look to increase their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to 4 points. The Almondvale Stadium, or the Tony Macaroni Arena as it’s also known, has been far from a happy hunting ground for Celtic in recent years.
Ange Postecoglou came a cropper on his first visit last September but the Celtic manager took that on board and it was a very different Celtic performance in March with Celtic winning 3-1 on the way to the title.
Here’s a wee look at Celtic’s overall record at Livingston and a warning that before that decent victory in March, we’d gone 5 games there without a win…
Celtic all-time League vs Livingston.
The record looks good but Celtic just broke a 5 match winless streak at the Tony last March.
3 points are vital. I don’t care how pretty or ugly. Then, on to Madrid. pic.twitter.com/4BHGeQwRHM
— GrandOLTeam (@JBLuvsCeltic) October 30, 2022
If you are heading through to Livingston this reminder from Celtic SLO John Paul Taylor might be helpful…
Reminder.. https://t.co/I35ZAtNoUD
— Celtic FC SLO (@CelticFCSLO) October 30, 2022
Team News
In his update on Friday afternoon Ange Postecoglou confirmed that other than the skipper Callum McGregor, he now has a full squad to choose from. However it’s unlikely that the players returning after injury, Jota, Carl Starfelt and David Turnbull, are likely to be risked on the plastic surface today. And with the formula for winning at Livingston established last time around expect a similar approach from Celtic today.
Joe Hart will be in goals, expect Tony Ralston to get the nod at right back and perhaps Greg Taylor’s experience and form will be preferred to Alexandro Bernabei who struggled at Tynecastle last weekend. Cameron Carter Vickers and Moritz Jenz will be at the centre of the Celtic defence.
With Matt O’Riley continuing in the defensive midfield role we expect to see Reo Hatate and Aaron Mooy as the number 8s while James Forrest, who scored here in March is likely to get the nod ahead of Liel Abada and Giorgos Giakoumakis should start ahead of Kyogo with Sead Hakšabanović on the left hand side of the Celtic attack.
Predicted XI – Hart, Ralston, Taylor, Carter Vickers, Jenz, O’Riley, Mooy, Hatate, Forrest, Giakoumakis and Hakšabanović.
✅Jota & Starfelt available, but won’t start v Livi
🔁Squad rotation key
👍McGregor “ahead of schedule”
⚽️Treat every opponent the sameWe’ve been speaking to Ange Postecoglou ahead of Celtic’s trip to Livingston, live on @SkyFootball pic.twitter.com/M5iOqBZqiJ
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 28, 2022
Kick-off Time
Livingston v Celtic kicks off at 12pm and remember the clocks went back last night!
Where to Watch
The game is live on Sky Sports and also on Celtic TV for subscribers watching outside of Britain and Ireland.
🟢 MATCHDAY ⚪️
🆚 @LiviFCOfficial
🏆 #cinchPrem
⌚ 12pm
🏟️ Tony Macaroni Arena
💻 Live on @CelticTV (exc. UK & IRE)
📺 Live on @ScotlandSky #LIVCEL | #COYBIG🍀 pic.twitter.com/2ZGZJi731Q— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 30, 2022
