Photos – From Celtic’s arrival and pre-match build-up at Livingston

Celtic arrived at the Tony Macaroni stadium ahead of this evening’s must-win Premiership match against a Livingston side that has seven changes from the weekend as Livi manager David Martindale has one eye on Hampden at the weekend and the League Cup semi-final against St Mirren.

Moi Elyounoussi spoke to Sky Sports ahead of kick-off, contradicting Neil Lennon’s threat to deny the broadcaster press access until tonight’s co-commentator Andy Walker apologised for the Jolly in Dubai comments. Walker explained that the proudest thing in his career was playing for Celtic and that under Billy McNeill and Tommy Burns he travelled aboard with the squad for what the players in his day regarded as a Jolly.

It certainly looks like Peter Lawwell has over-rule Neil Lennon who has yet to record a victory in the West Lothian stadium as Celtic manager.

The match kicked off at 8.15pm and notable by their absence from the squad were the two French lads, Odsonne Edouard and Olivier Ntcham, with the latter believed to be the second player with a positive Covid test after the trip to Dubai. Edouard due to being in close proximity is also likely to be self-isolating.

Celtic don’t have a game at the weekend due to the League Cup ties – we were scheduled to face St Mirren but they are instead facing theRangers conquerers St Mirren.

Incidentally Tony Ralston – the man of the match at the weekend – isn’t even on the bench tonight.

Here are the best of the pre-match photographs….and The Celtic Star will also have the best available photos from the game.

Livingston opened the scoring 1-0 after Celtic conceded from a free-kick thrown into the box on 15 mins. Ciaron Brown headed the goal. Shane Duffy foolishly conceded the free-kick. Moi Elyounoussi levelled for Celtic after 28 mins with a lovely shot before Nir Bitton scored his first goal in over four years after lovely through ball from Callum McGregor found the Israeli in loads of space, beating the offside trap (flag stayed down) and he smashed his shot into the postage stamp to give Celtic the lead on 38 mins.