Celtic managed to stop the rot this weekend against David Martindale and his Livingston team. The side from West Lothian rocked up at Celtic Park as stone dead last in the cinch Premiership and lived up to that billing as they never once tried to venture out of their own half or even have an attempt at Joe Hart’s goal.
A kick from their goalkeeper which went all the way to Joe Hart was the closest they came all day to threatening the Hoops goal and was not a very good advertisement for the game in Scotland.
Brendan Rodgers was furious about the way his side had started the past few games and become extremely pedestrian throughout even when going behind at times. That changed yesterday as the Bhoys looked right at it from the start and hemmed in that Livingston defence along with their midfield too. After having ample opportunity in the first half to go ahead, we failed to make the breakthrough but there was a feeling it would come eventually – unlike the previous match against Hearts.
Dazien Maeda’s reintroduction to the team certainly made a material difference on the field of play and despite the Japanese international looking rusty with his touch and composure, his running and pressing off of the ball was a welcome sight to see after the last few weeks. He even managed to help comrade Kyogo Furuhashi look that bit brighter as he had someone willing to help press the opposition for long spells.
It would be Kyogo who got the opener after some excellent play by Luis Palma on the wings, before he cut inside and whipped a ball across the Livingston goalmouth which Furuhashi managed to touch. The breakthrough had happened and in a flash it seemed as if the whole atmosphere and complexion of the game changed yet again. We started to really apply the pressure on Livi after that and never looked back. The movement and passing was that much better and they couldn’t cope.
After bombarding their goal with successive crosses and corners, we got another through Liam Scales, who managed to wriggle free from his marker and flick on a wonderful ball from Honduran, Palma, who is steadily becoming a key component in this Celtic team. Once that went in we didn’t look like being troubled whatsoever and saw the game out comfortably in the end up. A clean sheet was much needed and adds confidence to a backline which has come in for some strong criticism of late.
Liam Scales of Celtic scores with a header to give Celtic a 2-0 lead. Celtic v Livingston, Cinch Scottish Premiership, Football, Celtic Park, 23 December 2023 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
Watch Sky Sports highlights of the match below…
Paul Gillespie
