Well the fortnight of boredom is over and we are back tomorrow lunching watching Glasgow Celtic putting on a show away at Livingston. Celtic received an allocation of 7,258 tickets for this match so as usual there will be a massive Celtic support at the Tony Macaroni and if as seems likely Livingston are relegated one thing we’ll certainly miss is the large away allocation which allows many Celtic supporters to actually get to a away game.
Celtic were last at Livingston back in September and ran out comfortable 3-0 winners with th goals coming from Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley and Daizen Maeda who was outstanding. Joe Hart was sent off early in the match and was then suspended for the trip to Motherwell. With Ibrox coming up next this time around avoiding going down to ten men is crucial.
Livingston have won just once in their last 14 meetings with Celtic, when Ange Postecoglou’s side lost on the plastic pitch in September 2021 with Andrew Shinnie scoring the only goal of the match for David Martindale’s outfit. Celtic have won each of the last seven meetings between the sides across all competitions, scoring 2+ goals in all seven victories – a total for 20 goals (2.9 per match) while just conceding four, two in the most recent Scottish Cup tie at Celtic Park. This provides the logic for our score prediction below.
Team News
Callum McGregor will not be risked but should be back next weekend at Ibrox. Yang returned from international duty with some muscle tightness so again will not feature. Luis Palma is still a week or so away so won’t feature tomorrow and is a major doubt for next weekend.
Both Reo Hatate and Cameron Carter-Vickers are in the Celtic squad and will feature against Livingston. Liam Scales, rested after missing the international camp with Ireland, is likely to start.
Predicted Team
Joe Hart will have gloves as usual and expect a back four of Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Greg Taylor. In the middle of the park Tomoki Iwata will sit deep allowing Matt O’Riley and Paulo Bernardo to play more offensively. The front three will be Nicolas Kuhn, Kyogo and Daizen Maeda.
Subs – Scott Bain, Anthony Ralston, Maik Nawrocki, Stephen Welsh, Reo Hatate, Odin Holm, James Forrest, Oh and Adam Idah.
Brendan Rodgers will be in the stand alongside Callum McGregor and Celtic Assistant Manager John Kennedy will run things from the touchline.
Match Officials
Don Robertson is a controversial appointment as the match referee, coming just two days after Brendan Rodgers disciplinary hearing at the Scottish FA following Robertson’s shocking decision making or mind changing at Tynecastle at the start of the month. He is sure to be given an appropriate welcome from the Celtic support and it will be richly deserved to say the least.
Robertson will be assisted by Graeme Stewart and Andy Milne while Euan Anderson is the Fourth Official. Alan Muir as things stands heads up VAR but there’s always the chance that Hibs take something at Ibrox so John Beaton will be on stand-by the rescue things. That’s how it works at the Sottish FA, right? The VAR assistant is Graeme Leslie.
Kick-off Time
Livingston v Celtic in the Scottish Premiership takes place at the Tony Macaroni Arena with the game kicking off at 12 noon.
Supporters information
From John Paul Taylor, Celtic SLO – Gates ope at 10.30am. There are roadworks at Deer Park. Coach Parking at North Stand £10 cash only. For North Sections use any of T5-12.For South Sections use any of T13-20.
Info for Sun:
🍀Gates open 10:30
🍀Road works at Deer Park
🍀Coach Parking at North Stand £10 cash only
🍀For North Sections use any of T5-12
🍀For South Sections use any of T13-20 pic.twitter.com/iQYVMT7Ytl— CELTIC FC SLO (@CelticFCSLO) March 29, 2024
Where to watch
The game is live on Sky Sports and is also available live to Celtic TV subscribers based outside of Britain and Ireland. Highlights will be available via BBC Sportscene and don’t forget that the Glasgow City v Celtic FC Women match in the SWPL1 is also on TV tomorrow on BBC Alba and the kick-off is at 4.10pm.
Score Prediction
Celtic could repeat the trick from last time at Livingston and come away with an impressive 3-0 victory. Expect Kyogo to get a couple too.
COYBIG and also COYGIG!
ON CELTIC SHORTS…Brendan Rodgers calls for return of full allocation at Glasgow Derbies
ON CELTIC SHORTS…Gerry Creaney – He grabbed some glory and lived the dream at Celtic
ON CELTIC SHORTS…“We were all a wee bit gutted to be honest,” Stephen Welsh on Joe Hart hanging up his gloves
