Summary

  • Static Obileye diverts Abada cross high into his own net before Kyogo does likewise; Devlin holds off defenders to slide in instant reply for visitors

  • Abada finishes to make it 3-1 only for goal to be ruled out by referee Euan Anderson after going to VAR screen

  • Hosts reopen nine-point gap over Rangers at Premiership summit

  • Livingston miss chance to go third to remain in sixth

  1. Highlights on Sportscenepublished at 22:31 GMT 21 December 2022

    FT: Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    So Celtic end the night nine points clear in the Premiership.

    You can watch extended highlights of tonight's game on Sportscene, which is on BBC One Scotland at 23:25 tonight.

    We'll be back on Friday with two more festive fixtures.

    Ciao!

    Sportscene
  2. More to come from Celticpublished at 22:28 GMT 21 December 2022

    FT: Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    Tom English
    BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

    I think there's an awful lot more in this Celtic team. They're in a grinding phase right now but they're doing it. There comes a time when you're asked a few questions, you've to battle through and Celtic are doing that. I think they are the champions-in-waiting.

  3. My players deserve credit - Martindalepublished at 22:27 GMT 21 December 2022

    FT: Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    Livingston manager David Martindale gave his thoughts about the game on Sportsound.

    "I think it was a fair outcome," he admitted. "We were always in the game. I was disappointed in the manner of the two goals.

    "We managed to get ourselves back in the game and there was a spell in the second half, maybe 15-20 minutes, when the game was more competitive and we got more pressure on the ball in the final third and the mid-third.

    "We should have done better in a few counter-attack situations. I'm really proud of the players. They should take great credit."

  4. Postpublished at 22:23 GMT 21 December 2022

    David Martindale quotes incoming...

  5. Livi's great commitmentpublished at 22:22 GMT 21 December 2022

    FT: Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    Allan Preston
    Former Livingston manager on BBC Sportsound

    I thought Livingston defensively were spot on. When I saw Holt, Nouble, Pittman and Shinnie out the team, I worried a little bit, but whoever he brings in they give it their lot and it's all you can ask for as a manager. Yes, Celtic have better touch and control but they don't have more commitment than these Livingston boys.

  6. Why was Abada's goal ruled out?published at 22:20 GMT 21 December 2022

    FT: Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    It's worth reflecting why Liel Abada's goal, which would have made it 3-1, might have been disallowed.

    Abada was standing in an offside position when he pounced on an error from a Livingston defender.

    He's only offside under the rules, though, if that defender is judged not to have deliberately played the ball.

    Referee Euan Anderson was therefore sent to the monitor to try to decide just that, I think, based on the criteria in the picture below.

    You can decide for yourself when you watch Sportscene later whether he's made the right call, but that's the process under a new law introduced earlier this year.

    IFAB deliberate play lawImage source, IFAB
  7. Celtic finding the answerspublished at 22:14 GMT 21 December 2022

    FT: Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    Tom English
    BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

    They weren't anything like what they could be. Abada stood out, he was excellent. Postecoglou was talking about a congested box. There's a sameness to it all, but his team are finding the answers. We think of Celtic and we think of Kyogo, Abada, Jota, O'Reilly, McGregor - terrific, ambitious players - but it is actually guts that are grinding out these games.

  8. Not one of Celtic's best - Postecogloupublished at 22:10 GMT 21 December 2022

    FT: Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou wasn't overly thrilled with the performance.

    "I thought the performance wasn't one of our best," he said on Sportsound.

    "The first half was OK - but I'm disappointed that we had balls across the box and we didn't have bodies in those areas.

    "At 2-0 the game should have been over for us. When you're faced with teams sitting back you've got to find ways of getting in behind.

    "We didn't have bodies in areas where they know they should be, capitalising."

  9. Thumbs up for nine clearpublished at 22:07 GMT 21 December 2022

    FT: Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    That's the fourth straight league game Celtic have won by one goal.

    They always seem to find a way. Quotes from Ange Postecoglou coming up shortly...

    Thumbs up from Ange PostecoglouImage source, SNS
  10. Give us a song...published at 22:04 GMT 21 December 2022

    FT: Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    Celtic's new signings Yuke Kobayashi and Alistair Johnston were introduced to the crowd before the game.

    Looks like Kobayashi was desperate to give the pipes an outing...

    New Celtic signings Yuki Kobayashi (L) and Alistair Johnston during a cinch Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic ParkImage source, SNS
  11. Nouble - injured or rested?published at 22:01 GMT 21 December 2022

    FT: Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    Allan Preston
    Former Livingston manager on BBC Sportsound

    This was a free hit. It's a very difficult venue for Livi to come to. The game at Hibs on Saturday is probably a more important game for Davie Martindale. Why was Joel Nouble not playing? The ill effects of an injury or Davie holding him back for Saturday?

  12. Chances, chances...published at 21:57 GMT 21 December 2022

    FT: Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    Here's a map of all the shots in the game, and their expected goals value.

    Basically the bigger the blob the better quality of chance. Yellow blobs are the goals, purple in the Celtic box is the own goal from Ayo Obileye.

    In terms of creativity, it was all Celtic as you would expect.

    XG mapImage source, Opta
    Image caption,

    Expected goals (xG) shot map from Celtic's win against Livingston

  13. A fine week's workpublished at 21:53 GMT 21 December 2022

    FT: Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    Pat Bonner
    Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

    The second half was a little bit closer. Celtic didn't dominate the ball as much, although later in the half they did. Their passing was off in the second half but that was down to Livingston harassing them. Livingston couldn't create - I think there was one shot from Stephen Kelly. This week's work has been done very well - six points.

  14. Postpublished at 21:49 GMT 21 December 2022

    FT: Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    Celtic were totally dominant in the first half, but took their foot off the gas after the break and Livingston improved too. A really good display from the visitors.

    Celtic have only kept two clean sheets in those 10 league wins in a row. Not quite killing teams off as they were right at the start of the season.

    But, a win's a win for the league leaders I suppose.

  15. Stats, stats, statspublished at 21:46 GMT 21 December 2022

    FT: Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    Full-time stats graphicImage source, SNS
  16. FULL-TIME - Celtic 2-1 Livingstonpublished at 21:43 GMT 21 December 2022

    Job done for Celtic. 10 league wins in a row, and nine points clear.

    Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates after making it 2-0 during a cinch Premiership match between Celtic and LivingstonImage source, SNS
  17. Penalty appealpublished at 90 mins +5

    Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    Sead Haksabanovic lets fly from the edge of the box, and there are screams for a penalty from the stands as Morgan Boyes blocks it.

    It looked to come off his midrift. He tucked his arm behind him.

    It's been checked, and on we go with a Celtic corner.

  18. No turning backpublished at 21:40 GMT 21 December 2022

    Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    Pat Bonner
    Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

    It's as if Celtic are going for a winner. They're a goal up. They don't have to try and score a goal every time they get the ball, but it's the only way that they can play; it's in their DNA.

  19. Postpublished at 90 mins + 3

    Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    Livingston get forward and fling in a couple of crosses, it's all a bit frantic but Celtic eventually hack it clear.

    They race up the other end and a cutback finds Sead Haksabanovic who skies his shot!

    He was always stretching for it.

  20. Seven added minutes...published at 90 mins

    Celtic 2-1 Livingston

    That lengthy VAR check means we have seven added minutes to play.

    Liel Abada is picked out in the box by Greg Taylor and he swivels, but drags his shot wide of the far post.