Celtic 2-1 Livingston: League leaders restore nine-point lead at summit

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Celtic restored their nine-point lead at the summit of the Scottish Premiership after overcoming stubborn Livingston.

Ayo Obileye’s own goal and a close-range Kyogo Furuhashi finish put the dominant hosts in control in Glasgow.

But an instant reply through Nicky Devlin seconds before the break threatened an unlikely comeback.

Liel Abada had a third controversially ruled out after a VAR check, but Celtic still closed out the game comfortably.

Ange Postecoglou’s side, who enjoyed the vast majority of chances but failed to put the result beyond doubt, have won both matches since returning from the World Cup break, while Livingston remain sixth after their first game in over a month.

What was never in doubt was the direction of travel for the majority of this contest.

Celtic attacked with utter relentlessness from the off with Livingston forced into reverse gear. What was unexpected was how cagey this would become.

Reo Hatate was first to threaten with a dangerous low cross, then thundered a shot just past.

Anthony Ralston was next with a shot just over before releasing Abada scampering down the right. His cross was accurate but Obileye got in a fankle and diverted home to unlock the door. The last thing Livingston needed as they tried to hang in, but a deserved outcome if not a touch fortunate.

Celtic combined, probed and urgently harried on the rare occasions they lost possession. Livingston were still alive in the game, but couldn’t get out.

But when it eventually arrived, the second, and ultimately decisive goal, was exquisite.

Ralston picked out Abada with a tremendous ball inside the wing back. His cross was first time, as was Kyogo’s finish, as he slammed home from close range just before half-time.

That was that, or so everyone thought. How many more was the question?

Devlin, on his 100th Livingston appearance, had other ideas. He muscled into Celtic’s box, withheld a challenge and poked home exposing a moment of slackness 90 seconds after Celtic’s second.

The hosts’ rhythm was disrupted. Things didn’t flow as easily. Passes were off target, shots became more scarce. The outcome became less straightforward.

That idea intensified when Stephen Kelly battered a first-time shot on the volley but Joe Hart responded well.

Abada had a strike ruled out for offside as Livingston refused to relent, with referee Euan Anderson going to the screen following a lengthy pause.

Celtic got over the line. They deserved the victory, but it was far less straightforward than it might have been.

Player of the match – Liel Abada

Postecoglou will have private frustrations – analysis

This was a curious encounter.

Celtic were coasting, cruising towards Ivan Konovalov’s goal with wave after wave and could have been ought of sight with better finishing.

That was until Devlin’s goal just before half-time.

Livingston’s performance vastly improved with some tactical and personnel changes and it was a far more even contest in the second half. They will take real positives from that.

Yes, Celtic had more of the ball but struggled to create clear opportunities. There was always a nagging thought that Livingston might just somehow nick a second.

It’s a 10th straight Premiership win for Postecoglou’s side. That regained their nine-point cushion over Rangers, but the manager will have private frustrations about how this game developed.

What they said

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: ‘It wasn’t one of our best’Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: “I thought the performance wasn’t one of our best. 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.”