Celtic strolled to a 3-1 win against a Livingston side that never gave Craig Gordon anything to do at Celtic Park until the very last kick of the ball when they neatly worked a consolation goal.
Celtic were distracted by a late injury scare involving Olivier Ntcham who got himself booked into the bargain. He could hardly move in the two minutes of stoppage time and must now be a big concern for Wednesday night’s vital match against AEK Athens in the 3rd round of Champions League qualifying.
Back to the start and it was am impressive opening from the Champions who had just watched legend Danny McGrain unfurl the league flag.
New Livingston boss Kenny Miller’s side lost an early goal and it was something of a collector’s item – a headed goal from Tom Rogic. The Australian ran to celebrate banging his own head in astonishment.
Rogic was fouled by Miller inside the first 30 seconds. Had it been later in the game it would probably have earned the player/ manager a yellow card. And it was just as well for the former Celtic striker as he did go into the book for leading with his arm in a challenge on Mikael Lustig just before the break.
The Celtic side started just as The Celtic Star predicted with Jonny Hayes operating as a wing-back on the left hand side at the North Stand and the former Aberdeen man looked in the mood from the start.
In 2 minutes he put in an excellent cross that Edouard failed to reach – it looked like he was pushed but all Celtic got was a corner. The warning was there but wasn’t heeded by the visitors and 5 minutes later Hayes delivered another perfect cross – this time it was met by the Australian superstar and the ball flew into the top corner to give Celtic a well deserved lead.
Another Hayes cross on 13 minutes gave James Forrest a chance to double the lead but his effort was eventually blocked.
Olivier Ntcham was beginning to shine in the middle of the park and a lovely through ball almost set up McGregor but the Livingston keeper just beat him to the Frenchman’s pass.
Ntcham after some fine skills from a Rogic got a shot away and a deflection wrong footed the keeper who scrambled to gather on 24 minutes.
Livingston won their only corner of the half on 25 minutes and will be wishing they hadn’t bothered. Celtic broke in numbers, Rogic put Ntcham through and his pass allowed Edouard to walk the ball into the net to give Celtic a two goal advantage.
On the half hour mark Rogic picked up the ball in the centre of the park and with four Livi players around him, pulling, grabbing, fouling, searching for the bloody ball, the Australian tricked them all and almost escaped. The referee could have awarded half a dozen fouls but the one was fair enough.
Miller’s elbow got him in the book just before the interval and McGregor’s effort just before the whistle found the side netting. He was lucky to be on the park and luckier still just to be two goals down.
Celtic got the third goal their play deserved four minutes into the second half when McGregor won a penalty after more brilliance from Rogic put Edouard through to set McGregor up. Ntcham took the spot kick, a short approach and his shot was despatched low to the keeper’s left.
3-0 and game over. It was just a matter of how many Celtic would score. Lustig had a wonderful effort blocked on the line, Griffiths hit the post direct from a corner – the ball broke to Simunovic who had the goal at his mercy but his shot went over the bar.
Griffiths rounded the keeper but his shot lacked conviction – an up to speed Griffiths would bury that kind of opportunity every day of the week.
It was all Celtic so Jozo decided to shoot the other way for five minutes. He had a wonderful volley from the edge of the box saved by Craig Gordon who had almost finished a crossword before being disturbed by his own centre half.
And if Celtic should have had a penalty in the first half when Edouard was pushed, Livi should have had one shortly after Gordon’s save when Simunovic’s arm connected with the ball.
Brendan Rodgers, just as suggested on The Celtic Star this morning, replaced Edouard and Hayes with Griffiths and Tierney on the hour mark and shortly afterwards young Mikey Johnston replaced Man of the Match Tom Rogic.
No more Celtic goals then the Ntcham injury and the last gasp goal from Scott Robinson wasted what was up to then s perfect day in Paradise.
The Livingston fans stayed on to applaud their team and celebrate avoiding a real hammering. Some others won’t get away so lightly this season.
The Celtic Star Man of the Match – Tom Rogic
