- 6 weeks ago
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00:00I have time here in Livingston.
00:29And it's Livingston 2, Celtic 4, so as you enjoy a classic match from the archives, I've got a feeling as long as Celtic win this one, this might be added to the classic match archive folder, because what a first 45 minutes it has been.
00:47And I'd hate to predict the outcome, because certainly the way Celtic have defended at times, Peter Grant, this one still, you kind of get the feeling could go either way.
00:57Oh, most definitely. That was a concern, I must admit, early in the game. We gave up a couple of chances after that.
01:03I think Tony was overcompensating, getting in behind Trusted too far, and it was making Yang do a hell of a lot of work.
01:09And Montano seized on it twice, you know, and he had another opportunity for a set play.
01:13So, but going the other way, we've been electric at times, you know, we've missed chances of getting into really good areas and maybe made the wrong choice.
01:22But I think you've got to give special credit to Luke McCown, he's been out of the team for a long time.
01:26I think his first half performance was excellent. And Negrin, as I said, I think he's a massive threat.
01:31I think he's a big miss when he's not on the pitch. People will question different parts of his game.
01:35But the one thing, he always finds space, he always keeps going, and he's got bottle.
01:39He can play for Celtic because he's one of these guys, he'll get the criticism, he'll make mistakes, but he keeps going.
01:45And ultimately, he always finds a space that can either create something or scores a goal.
01:50And it certainly seems to be, I mean, I know the manager will want to make additions to his squad in the January transfer window.
01:58So not long for that to open now, but certainly seems to be with the squad of players that he's got now,
02:03he seems to have found the team that he likes to start with. Am I right in saying that?
02:09Yeah, he's looking at it. And I think there's almost concerns for him, you know, because he can't be so vulnerable.
02:14And people say a back three makes you vulnerable. No, it doesn't. If you do it right, it doesn't.
02:18Because predominantly people play with one striker now, so if one, if you imagine you're outside one,
02:24and your back three goes forward, you've still got two centre-halves, you would say, still left,
02:28so you've still got two v one situations, so you shouldn't be vulnerable.
02:31There's big spaces, but if you watch Celtic playing forward at the back, there's big spaces
02:35because they play two centre, central defenders, maybe 45 yards for the opposition.
02:39Which is why sometimes people get a bit in the area because a back three's actually a back one.
02:44Yeah, absolutely. But that's what it is at times, and you've got to trust that in the manager.
02:47The problem is it, for me, in the back three's the cross, is if you don't get a positional play right
02:52on the opposite back post, and that's what happened, I believe, in the first half, you know.
02:57So it'll be interesting to get into this part of the game to see what the managers tweaked,
03:00because I'm sure there's a hell of a lot of it he liked, but there'll be bits of obviously concern them.
03:06Well, no tweaks to the personnel for the second half. Celtic back out onto the pitch.
03:13It'll be interesting to see what Livingston do now. Do they go and say, well, there's a, put a white player on
03:21because he feels as if they're going to have to drag Yang further back the pitch?
03:25Because, to be fair to them, they started the game very quick as well, and we're trying to get into these spaces
03:29we spoke about pre-match. It'll be interesting to see if they make any changes to it.
03:34Yeah, looks like they're going to make a change at half-time. David Martindale is going to
03:48make the changes in a little bit.
03:53I think that's Bola Kelly, isn't it?
03:54It's Bokila. Bokila to Jeremy Bokila.
03:56He's our top goal-scorer, so he's obviously, if he's kept the angle on, it looks as if maybe he's going to go 3-5 too, as I said,
04:02to try and get more balls in the box. He's probably seen a vulnerability there.
04:06And that's what he'll probably try and do.
04:11He swapped in for Smith.
04:13Yeah, it's Lewis Smith, who's gone off. Jeremy Bokila, comes on.
04:23So here we go for the second half, and if the first half is anything to go by, then you could be on the edge of your seats.
04:32Or, down the back of your couch, one way, or the other.
04:35Don't put the kettle on you now, because that's what you're going to do.
04:41And listen, I'm not saying I want a boring second half, because in some ways that first 45 was great to watch.
04:48As a football fan.
04:51Great to watch going one way.
04:52Yes.
04:53McGowan launches one upfield.
04:58Celtic have it though, on the attack.
05:01Instantly, but Kenny runs into trouble, but does well.
05:05A 1-2 there.
05:06Ball breaks their way back to Negrin.
05:10Yang has it.
05:13Engels.
05:15Cross in from Engels.
05:17Negrin tries to attack it.
05:18McGregor comes in.
05:20Again, ball's loose in the edge of the area.
05:22McCowan, dispossessed, Livingstone now
05:25coming forward, and it's the substitute.
05:27Bokila.
05:29Most untrusty, in the ball.
05:31Bokila forgot to take the ball with him, but
05:34Lays it to the side.
05:36Shot from the edge of the area.
05:39Second attempt, perhaps Montano.
05:42And it goes.
05:42Well, this one is starting the way the first one was.
05:47The first half, Celtic now, on the attack.
05:49This is end-to-end stuff.
05:53That's not the best ball across the face of the goal.
05:55That time, Celtic try and get Johnny Kenny on the score sheet.
06:00It's back with Pryor.
06:02And it's out for a Celtic throw.
06:05And to be fair, it was difficult for Yang there, because Johnny Kenny's held it to the last
06:08moment before he's made that run to the front.
06:10And quite rarely so.
06:11But then when he makes the run, Yang's already made the pass.
06:15And Johnny's run to the front, but he's wanted to think he's going to go to the back.
06:19And you can sense that Celtic scores are best for young Johnny Kenny get a goal as well.
06:23You know?
06:25Hopefully he can end that situation.
06:26But he's got to keep going.
06:27That's the secret.
06:28Keep going, because the chance will fall to him.
06:30Maybe go off his backside.
06:32Doesn't matter.
06:35And the Celtic fans would love for him to get a goal this afternoon and take any sort of pressure.
06:40Oh, McGregor coming forward, edge of the area, onto the left foot!
06:44Just couldn't get the shot.
06:46Past the goalkeeper.
06:48Celtic expected to win this one this afternoon, but two very difficult matches coming up
06:53later in the week.
06:54Motherwell away, Rangers at home, both sides.
06:58From nil-nil at the moment.
07:00At Ibrox.
07:03Yeah, Celtic are always expected to win here, that's the difference.
07:06You know, they're always expected when coming up comes a pressure.
07:09It's never easy to go and win.
07:11You've got to go and try and do that.
07:12That's what I've done exceptionally well, because nothing's a given.
07:15Everybody tries.
07:16People say try harder, I wouldn't say that's the case.
07:19It just brings that with the atmosphere round about the place.
07:21Players seem to run that little bit more against you.
07:25It's just the way it happens.
07:26And that's why your concentration levels, you've got to win at home and away.
07:29And that's the expectation of this football club.
07:32Sinasalo out to McEwen.
07:37And it's out to Negrin, back to Tierney.
07:39That's just sometimes you get a little bit of frustration when you're talking about Negrin.
07:45He's such a good player, but see if he gets on the turn there, he's got 30 yards to turn into.
07:50And that's when the fans get a little bit annoyed, because they think, well why are you passing back?
07:54You've got 30 yards of space behind you, and that's all about body position while you're receiving.
07:58Good play from Yang.
08:04Gets the ball back from Kenny, bit of a loose pass.
08:07Livingston win it back.
08:08In the centre circle now, back it goes to Pittman.
08:12McGowan out wide right now, as McGowan comes across.
08:18Forward it goes to Bokula.
08:20Now Stevie May supporting the back edge of the area.
08:24Chance the substitute, Bokula with the left foot shot.
08:27Flags up though, all the hands up from the referee as Ralston made the block.
08:34I thought on the first ball here, the original pass, yes it was.
08:37It was the original pass, McGill is off.
08:39But to be fair, right at the end, Tony Ralston doesn't know that,
08:41and I keep saying about defenders going out to block the ball, it's so important.
08:44And he does that, he gets out and gets his block in, which is a big part of the game.
08:48He never knew the boy was offside.
08:50It's a great, great team, it's a big party, being a good defender.
09:01Tierney.
09:03Off the head of Silla.
09:06From the Celtic throw.
09:19Milston once again put under a bit of pressure.
09:21See, this is the one sometimes I think you can surprise Livingston.
09:35Because you're playing there, you see how many players, I've got five, six players in the picture,
09:39you can see here.
09:39I think it's in the Salah because you just go bang, there's Mieda.
09:43All of a sudden that space is in behind them.
09:45Because at this moment in time you're in fighting that little bit of trouble,
09:47and you don't want to give them a goal.
09:53Played inside by Yang.
09:56Surely a dangerous challenge right in front of the referee.
10:02Adrian's down injured.
10:03Ball will be played out so he can get some treatment.
10:06Well, we'll see that on a replay.
10:10And if that is as high and dangerous as it looked like, then the referees are a shocker here.
10:18No, listen.
10:22I'd be the same, I don't think, no, he's went for the ball.
10:24I'd be the same.
10:25Nah, he's kept his feet down, kept his studs down, even he has slipped, so he's not in control
10:30of the situation, which is always something that they look at, he's not in control of his body.
10:33Yeah, it's not a very nice and good on the end of it, but it's a fair enough tackle.
10:45Back in your day you'd be telling your own teammate to get back up.
10:47Oh, absolutely.
10:51The disappointment that was going against me for sure, that was a warm-up.
10:58High kick-up feel from Pryor.
10:59I'm trying to make use of their height advantage, Livingstone, but McCown, lovely ball to it.
11:06Maeda has taken up great space down the left, waits for support.
11:10Provided by McCown, but first touch a bit heavy.
11:14Cleared out.
11:14Yeah, it was, but I think Maeda, I think Luke McCown has wanted to put it into the space behind him,
11:20not pass it into him, and that's what I'm saying about hitting the space and letting him run onto it.
11:23And even on this sort of surface, it's better to have the ball in front of you,
11:27because you're automatically running and your head's automatically up.
11:30Negrin into Yang.
11:38Caught out there, but once again Yang does really well to retrieve the situation
11:43for Celtic, now Tierney needs a good cross.
11:46What a cross it is, and an important defensive touch there from Danny Wilson.
11:50It's a great ball in from Tierney, it's out for a Celtic throw on the far side.
11:54Well that's why, as I say, I always think he's got the wing-back area,
11:57because I know he can get back from centre back there, but he's delivering, it's fantastic.
12:02And it was at your right, Wilson defended it ever so well.
12:07Negrin, inside to Engels, back to Yang.
12:13Now Trusty, Celtic looking for a fifth goal that would surely seal this one,
12:19but a careless pass from Trusty, back.
12:21No need of apology from the American centre-half as he plays it out for a Livingston throw,
12:29quickly taken, Finlayson back to McGowan, Maeda chases back.
12:36I think that's one criticism I have in Trusty, sometimes I think when you see Maeda and he's five
12:40or six yards, the defenders away from him, he's scared to give them it, still give them it,
12:45because it attracts someone towards them and then he can do the next pass into the space behind.
12:49But he ends up turning back, that's when the momentum goes from the team in the night,
12:54that's why you can see the manager was getting frustrated,
12:56but I think supporters get frustrated in it as well.
13:07Maeda, lovely first touch.
13:09Second touch, second touch, a bit heavy.
13:13Livingston, on it back, here's Finlayson.
13:19Inside, to Wilson.
13:26May in there, but an important touch from
13:28Raulston, Celtic have it with McGregor.
13:37High ball, cross field, angles to Tierney.
13:41Celtic keeping possession but being forced back.
13:55Remarkably, we've played almost 10 minutes of the second half and
13:58still, no second half goals.
14:01Yeah we'll settle for that, don't worry about that, just keep playing away and trying to
14:05punish them obviously by getting mistakes from them.
14:08But you don't want to give anything away and give them that wee bit of air as I said in the first half.
14:12You've got to just keep pushing them back, pushing them back because
14:15we'll get more chances for sure.
14:19Tierney does well, by line.
14:22Can he pick out a teammate, driven cross, Yang's in there.
14:27Couldn't get past Montano, who's giving it away to Maeda.
14:32Now, McCown, Celtic come again, Tierney, cross much too close to Pryor.
14:38And an easy take for the Livingston goalkeeper.
14:42Surprised they missed it Ciaran, it was a great run by Negrin again.
14:46Ciaran's got that quad, he can leave it on him, but he just over hit it.
14:51Good defensive work that time from Ralston, Celtic putting the pressure on.
14:56Livingston, there's Maeda, picks out McCown now, he's got space to think about it,
15:01cuts inside with the right foot, goes for the curler, but just couldn't get enough spin on the ball.
15:06And it's gone high and wide for a goal kick.
15:09Yeah I can see what he's trying to do, but it was better from Negrin because,
15:11just as I said a couple of moments ago, he's turned quickly, it's gave him 10 yards,
15:15he's passed forward, Luke McCown's obviously in the back end of him then,
15:19and he gets that opportunity and he's more than capable of doing what he did.
15:22And with his performance so far, this, this, this game,
15:26he's full 90, full 60, 70 minutes now, he's been excellent.
15:30And if he blows to throw that one back, he's seen a Celtic player down injured,
15:42he needs a bit of treatment.
15:47Not sure if the player was just getting elevation with jumping.
15:52Yeah.
15:52Yeah, the old Charlie horse.
15:54Yeah, in the side of the dead leg there,
15:57and Finlayson into Tierney, there it is.
16:00Surely that's a free kick then.
16:04On the bench for Celtic this afternoon in terms of outfield players,
16:07Jermaine Simpson-Pusey and Liam Scales at the back,
16:11Paulo Bernardo, Dane Murray as well, Paulo Bernardo, Rio Hatate,
16:16James Forrest, of course, Colby Donovan as well there.
16:19And up front, Shin Yamada,
16:23Tierney,
16:25limps to the side of the pitch.
16:30They're never nice there, that's for sure.
16:33I'm sure the manager won't want to make off, but,
16:35you've got Liam Scales there that could play that position as well,
16:38so it's not a...
16:40Trellis pass forward.
16:46Livingston, now have it,
16:48in an attacking position!
16:50Trusty and Sinisalo almost
16:53combining to put the ball in their own net, but
16:58behind for a corner.
17:00He's done the right thing because the manager,
17:02obviously Sinisalo's shouted on it,
17:05it's taken no prisoners and got it by,
17:07now you've got to defend it.
17:11In the 58th minute, high
17:14colour from Stevie May, dealt with by Tierney, kept in by Bokula,
17:19back there is McCown, it'll be another corner to Livingston.
17:22I'm sure that's, this is it, as I said earlier, David Martindale will be wanting a lot of us,
17:29he'll be disappointed so far with the quality of the delivery,
17:32I think it's been too loopy for him, with such a big group of players,
17:35you should be putting in an area with enough height to miss the first man,
17:39I hope he gets it wrong, don't get me wrong.
17:40Yeah, next goal could be crucial in this one, and it comes from May again,
17:46relatively straightforward clearance,
17:50the shot from Silla,
17:51he's never going to trouble Sinisalo, well over the bar, 58 and a half minutes gone,
17:57the score remains, Livingston 2, Celtic 4.
18:01Well I think the first half was so exciting, every time we got the ball,
18:05it looked as if it was going to cause a problem,
18:07this one's a wee bit stop-start, as I say, sometimes you've got to mix it,
18:10now you see how far Livingston are up the pitch,
18:13yes you can play your way out, but sometimes,
18:17as I said now, because of where Livingston won it,
18:19made us right up the pitch in a 1v1 situation, I think you should use that more often.
18:23Well, chance here perhaps, Negrin has it.
18:27Rather ambitious, but Livingston had plenty of players back.
18:31It's ambitious, but it's 10-6 their players out of the game,
18:36and that's the point I'm making, don't, you know Livingston are going to come and try and press you,
18:41so you know where the space is going to be is beyond them.
18:43If you keep playing in front of them, you give them that little bit of hope,
18:46that the fact that they can steal the ball off you.
18:48forward come the home side again, some space down the left-hand side,
18:56quick ball in, but good positioning play from McGregor,
19:00but Pittman was first to that for the home side,
19:02lays it back to May.
19:03Finlayson now on the inside right channel,
19:07in comes the cross, headed away by Tierney.
19:10Finlayson gathers 35 yards from goal,
19:14takes the ball on a bit of a run, trying to go round the outside of Dyson Maeda,
19:18who follows him every step of the way, in comes the cross, cleared away,
19:22and now perhaps chance for Celtic on the break,
19:24Johnny Kenny just couldn't get the break of the ball past Danny Wilson.
19:29Offside against Finlayson,
19:33right in front of the assistant referee, one hour gone.
19:36I just like that next goal, because I think that would be the one that would put it to bed,
19:42and Nate Livingstone come a little bit more,
19:44then there'd be more, even more space than it was behind them,
19:46but I think they're playing in the Livingstone's hand at this moment in time,
19:49with just keeping the game in front of them.
19:53That's even interesting that Sanisalo's coming to take it,
19:55because I agree with them, don't just keep playing in front of them,
19:58make them come in pressure, and hoping you're going to make a mistake,
20:01make them defend at times.
20:03So, Sanisalo goes long,
20:08the free kick, Engels under that one, ball,
20:12back on the deck, Livingstone coming forward,
20:15and in some space as well, Stevie May,
20:19in the left wing, cross ricochets off Ralfston, back to Pittman it goes,
20:25Montano cross threatening,
20:31free kick given against Bocchiola for the challenge on Tierney,
20:37he's been in the walls the last five minutes or so, down in the deck again as the Celtic defender.
20:42Yeah, he defends it very well actually,
20:47just to sort of push in the back, but that's what you've got to do when you're the opposite wide man,
20:52you've got to go one for one in that situation, Kier does it very well.
20:55Trusty coming forward,
21:14laid off by Negrin, Maeda, Celtic throw quickly taken,
21:21by Kenny, back there goes McCown, forward to Pittman,
21:30now Silla,
21:39McGowan, I'm not sure, too much of that one to Maeda,
21:42Tate,
21:52May,
21:54high ball forward, a good one to Pittman,
21:59tracked every step of the way though by Tierney,
22:02out it goes for yet another Livingstone corner.
22:05That's what you've got to give Livingstone credit for, they know they can go one maybe square pass,
22:10but then the next one's got to go beyond you, there's no Celtic going to steal it off you,
22:14and they're asking questions and put another set play again.
22:24May over this one, high out swing up to the edge of the area, ball breaks back,
22:29low shot, balls loose in the area, screams for a penalty, referees playing on,
22:35Yang now releases McCown, our Celtic got enough players forward on the counter attack,
22:39they're coming to support McCown, he's got Yang to his left, still McCown,
22:43delays it, Yang takes it too wide, has to come back,
22:47in for the cross, and headed away, edge of the area,
22:53angles now to Negrin, can they find the space for the shot,
22:57picks out McCown, still McCown, gets the shot away but straight at the goalkeeper.
23:04I thought he should have went the other way, he's ran when he's, once he's taken the next touch,
23:08look when he's broke, Yang's done brilliant, he's run up now, he's saying I can understand that's who
23:12Luke can see all the way, but if he looks the opposite side, made it clear, because the defender's
23:16made the movement towards Yang, because you can see him coming at pace, which is allowed,
23:20made it on his own, he'll be disappointed if he looks back at that,
23:23because nine times every ten he usually makes the right choice.
23:36Free kick awarded to Livingston,
23:43not quite sure how McCown was a judge to have fouled him there,
23:47here's the one earlier on where Livingston felt he could have had a penalty straight into the elbow
23:54of Trusty, the arm by his side, so no comparison with the penalty that Celtic got, even if both of us
24:02felt that one was perhaps a bit harsh as well.
24:0425 minutes left in the game, Livingston 2, Celtic 4, not down in the area, into the arms of Sinisalo, I wonder if
24:14Wilfried Nancy will be thinking about making some changes.
24:17Yeah I just think it needs, not necessarily the changes as I said earlier, I think you've got to
24:24ask different questions, I think that's what happened in the first half, there was more questions asked.
24:33We're mixing the game and that's what you've got to do in this situation, because Livingston are quite
24:37happy and if you looked at it now, I don't know what the statistics would be at this moment in time,
24:40you'd probably should have had more of the ball in the Celtic half than we have in their half.
24:45Certainly in this half.
24:49Negrin caught out there with the pass, gets it back though.
24:55Needs to be quicker and he's been closed down.
25:04Celtic win it back, Engels to McGregor, now Trusty.
25:10Negrin finds Tierney.
25:18Checks back, gives it to Sinisalo.
25:36Trusty has it.
25:37This time goes long.
25:42Kenny's under that one, gets the break of the ball, can't find Maeda with the pass though.
25:48Up to Pryor who launches one up into the Celtic half.
25:53McCown being held back, surely referees.
25:55Waved play on.
25:59Oh Kenny, as he was played through there by McCown, out came the Livingston goalkeeper.
26:05Kenny had to get an early touch on that to have any chance at finding the net.
26:10Now Livingston at the other end.
26:12Stevie May down the left hand side, plays the ball into.
26:14But Keillat tried to control it, but perhaps he should have shot first time.
26:18Well it's a big chance and that's exactly what we're saying there, playing quicker.
26:22I get in the ball down the side of us quicker.
26:24Because that's where the space is.
26:25He'll be disappointed he's not getting straight round it.
26:32The referee done well here because he plays on here.
26:34And just the ball's getting away from you, Johnny Kenny.
26:37He's just desperate for that, but to be fair, the keeper's got out.
26:40He was trying to keep himself, you've seen the big picture.
26:42He was trying to keep himself on-sided as the ball was playing.
26:45So he had to hold a little bit longer.
26:48Change up front for Livingston, Robbie Muirhead coming on for Teddy Yenge.
26:54Muirhead's got a go on him, he's one of these guys that will strike from anywhere.
26:57He's got a good strike, either foot.
26:59He's got a good record for them.
27:07Still, Nancy keeps with the original starting 11.
27:15Maeda does well.
27:24Followed by trusty, Negrin picks out Ralston.
27:31Engles cuts inside, gives it back to Ralston.
27:36Forced all the way back to his goalkeeper.
27:45Tearney.
27:52Trying to pick out Johnny Kenny, but
27:55unable to with the pass.
27:59Wilson now for Livingston.
28:06Now McGowan.
28:07Finlay's under a bit of pressure there, but did well.
28:15Launched upfield by the goalkeeper, Pryor.
28:19Two players go down.
28:20Bokula, fouling Tearney again.
28:29Oh, McGregor gives that one away this time.
28:32Now chance for Livingston.
28:34Into the area, the cutback, but an easy clearance in front of goal by Orston Trusty.
28:39With me getting too comfortable for Livingston, that's as I said.
28:48Again, cross comes in, headed by Trusty, behind.
28:53On a corner.
28:55Defends really well here, actually.
28:56The ball's given away here with Callum.
28:58His first reaction is to get in the box, which he's got to do.
29:02He's aware of his positional play, but he gets there before the big striker.
29:06But it all comes, comes from Celtic's own making again.
29:09Playing square and playing in front of them.
29:15Another deep, curling corner.
29:18Ball breaks back.
29:20Montano's shot is defended, but only half defended.
29:25Oh, McGowan's let that one bounce, allowing Celtic the chance to clear.
29:28Referee's given a foul to Celtic.
29:34He did well here, because if he touches the ball he's offside.
29:37This is a great save, actually, because he comes through bodies here.
29:46So Colby Donovan coming on for Yang.
29:51Real Hattate back from Ulmus.
29:54About to enter the fray as well for Celtic's double goal scorer, Benjamin Negrin.
30:01So 20 minutes left.
30:04Still 4-2 to Celtic.
30:10Yeah, Yang and Negrin have both been excellent, especially the first half.
30:14I thought both of them done very well.
30:17But as I say, I think Colby Donovan is a right wing back, because he gives you that defensive
30:20nous as well as, you know, very good delivery.
30:23Also good in the air.
30:25Which is important.
30:26But yeah, again, this is a problem I've got with it, because we're allowing this time, if I'm
30:32Kieran, I'm dumped in behind that fullback now saying let's made a go.
30:36No, that's what he's trying to do.
30:37That's it.
30:38This time it's Kenny.
30:39Yeah, but that's the area you've got to hit, because it makes them think about the game.
30:44At this moment in time it's too easy for them.
30:46If Levington, City at Levington in half time I hope Celtic play in front of us all this first,
30:49this second half, and that's exactly what we've done.
30:52And they've got the better chances out of it.
30:55Atate.
30:57Engles back to Ralston.
31:11Ball brought down by Tierney, now McCown.
31:14First time ball in from Maeda, Silla wins it for Livingston.
31:21Followed by Finlayson, can't pick out a teammate.
31:24Trusty now, quick ball forward to Johnny Kenny.
31:27Colby Donovan now lays it back to Engles.
31:31Donovan now wide right.
31:35Has to get himself up to the pace of the game quickly.
31:38McGregor now.
31:45Trusty goes through the middle.
31:46Fires that one at Kenny, but Livingston win it back.
31:59Followed by Finlayson from Muirhead.
32:02Three Celtic players defending on the halfway line.
32:06Livingston win the throw, quickly taken by Muirhead.
32:10Now Bokula on the byline, waits for support.
32:14Poole from Livingston forward.
32:16Maeda now.
32:17And the free kick.
32:24As a manager of Livingston you'd be very frustrated because you've got Maeda going nowhere.
32:29And you give a silly free kick away and they are the defending third.
32:36Stevie May coming off.
32:38He's replaced by Mohamedou Sosoho.
32:50There's one for you Peter.
32:51Yeah, do you remember the Celtic part earlier in the season?
32:55I thought he was doing quite well when he came on actually.
32:56He's got a bit of pace about him in direct.
32:58That tells you more that they're going to go forward quicker to try and get that a goal back in the game.
33:08Celtic have it with Tierney just inside the Livingston half.
33:11Pass forward is cut out by Silla.
33:15Inside.
33:17Macaulay Tate.
33:18Again, this left side working well for Livingston.
33:27Across goes Colby Donovan.
33:31They make the challenge throw into the home side.
33:34Level with the Celtic box.
33:39They've done well Colby Donovan there because you've told us a one-two make sure you go with the player.
33:43Don't watch the ball.
33:44It's easy to call, but just as you've come on the pitch and lose that concentration.
33:54Ralston pushed from behind, free kick.
34:04So the bigger picture is that Celtic went into this game, six points behind Hearts,
34:07but with two games in hand, Hearts lost the Edinburgh Derby earlier this afternoon,
34:11although it looked like they were coming back from a three-goal deficit.
34:17Hibs were really on top of the game, went 3-0 up.
34:20Should have gone 4-0 up, but then Hearts got a couple of late goals and were
34:24in a few attempts to get an equaliser in, but for some great heroics in the Hibs goal.
34:30It could have been a different outcome, but Hibs win that one, so
34:35Celtic looking to close the gap here to three with a game in hand.
34:38Lovely player from McCown to pick out Rayo Hatati now, it's Celtic 4-2 in the lead, come forward.
34:43Back to McCown it goes, can he pick out a teammate with the cross?
34:46Too near.
34:47And an easy take for Pryor, who launches the ball upfield quickly, 15 minutes left in Livingston.
34:554-2 to Celtic.
34:56Yeah, it was really good play all round, put their way out, got Hatati in space and we spoke
35:03about in Livingston trying to go that man for man, he found that little bit of space,
35:08you don't give that man too much space because he does pick a pass.
35:11Donovan back to Ralston.
35:23Ball through the middle from Sinisalo, Hatati.
35:35Picks out Tierney.
35:38Ahead of him is McCown.
35:43Back it goes to Trusty.
35:44Now Hatati.
36:04Tierney in support.
36:08McCown.
36:09Back it goes to Tierney.
36:11Inside Hatati, he lays it off to McCown.
36:13Real Hatati, edge of the area, tries the shot.
36:17Went for accuracy more than power.
36:20You can always expect a goalie to save that one.
36:23Yeah, but as I say, he's one of these players, he just finds that little bit of space,
36:26doesn't allow, he plays off his first touch very, very well, which allows him to adjust again.
36:32But we've seen him score and goals from there, he's definitely got the quality to do that right of foot.
36:40It's 77 and a half minutes on the clock.
36:48Celtic 4-2 up.
36:55Luke McCown's doing that very well.
36:56What they're trying to get is Finlayson on the touchline to come across Luke, because he's bigger,
37:00to get the header in to the two strikers.
37:02But what Luke does, he stands in the line of it, which makes the player run into him.
37:07The first one the referee gave the free kick against Luke.
37:09The second one there is giving it to Luke.
37:11the second one is going towards Luke.
37:24So a couple of changes for Livingston.
37:27Samson Lowell on.
37:30Macaulay Tate has gone off.
37:33So there's Christian Montagnon, I think that was
37:36Joshua Brené that came on.
37:42Davey Martindale changing things up as they try and get back into this game and a goal for
37:46Livingston would make things really interesting at this stage in the game and they've
37:51given themselves a corner.
37:54As I say so far this will be a disappointing thing for them because they're such a big side
37:58the delivery's not been that great.
38:02So you have to deal with the first one, this is the time you ask questions,
38:05you've got to go and say well I'm going to make sure I header this away.
38:09And it comes good, corner, defended well by Trusty, back in it goes, headed out by Ralston.
38:18Back in it goes, that was Brené.
38:23Still the ball's loose, Hatate now tries to play it into space but Muir heads first to it for
38:28Livingston, back to his goalkeeper.
38:30Heading towards the final 10 minutes.
38:36Well instead of giving it away, Maeda, back it goes to Engels.
38:40Donovan cutting in from the right, leaves it for McGregor.
38:54Out it goes to Engels.
38:57Cross comes in, decent one, breaks McCown's way, gets the ball back, look McCown!
39:03His shot is blocked inside the box.
39:09Half chance there for McCown to put the game to bed.
39:14Celtic still have it, McCown again, lovely play, gets the ball back from Maeda.
39:19McCown checks his run.
39:25Out it goes to Donovan on the right.
39:26Cinesalo to Trusty inside the final 10 minutes now.
39:46And things for sure you know from David Martindale's side, they will not be giving up, they still think they're in this game.
39:51Great challenge from behind there, gonna be a yellow card, plus the Soho.
40:02I love that when they give you a tackle from behind like that and then say it was my first tackle.
40:05Yeah, but ain't down the Achilles.
40:11Yeah, not sure what else he could have expected, other than a yellow card.
40:15What was that?
40:27Pretty unbelievably frenetic first nine minutes, which produced four goals, turned into an entertaining
40:36first half for Celtic, going in 4-2 in the lead and it's been very much an even second half.
40:47Livingston giving as good as they're getting.
40:48Paolo Bernardo on.
41:02Johnny Kenny goes off.
41:08So Wilfried Nancy changing things about.
41:11I don't think that'll be a straight swap.
41:20No, I'm just trying to work out maybe if it dies in through the middle.
41:24And just like one of the midfielders look out a little bit wider.
41:28In comes the three kicks, Cinesalo spills it but gathers the ball at the second attempt.
41:35That's why I'm not a great believer in playing that high length here.
41:39See this, I think there's too much space to leave the ball in.
41:42You're always running towards your own goal.
41:44I would rather come from deeper and come out towards the ball.
41:48Because I just think it's, it's a nightmare for the goalkeeper.
41:52With all of his own players running back, never mind the attackers.
41:59Cinesalo finds trusty.
42:01Who in turn finds Tierney space ahead of.
42:05Scotland defender tries to
42:09Switch that one all the way across to Colby Donovan when it's easily cut out.
42:14Now Wilson.
42:16Finlayson.
42:17Long ball.
42:19Forward.
42:22Defended there by Tierney.
42:23Trusty now having to come back.
42:26Back to his goalkeeper.
42:28Heavy first touch but
42:30manages to get the pass away to Trusty.
42:32But I think that one's gone out for a throw to Livingston.
42:34Midway inside the Celtic half.
42:35I think that's the adjustment he's done.
42:38He's just put Luke McCown out wider.
42:40And put Barnaby under Luke McCown was playing.
42:43He took me either through the middle.
42:46Next up for Celtic.
42:47Eight o'clock local time kickoff on Tuesday night.
42:52Against Motherwell at Fir Park.
42:54Remember today is Saturday.
42:56Muirhead swings one in but it's high and too much power out for a Celtic goal kick.
43:07It's brilliant having to do Saturday and it's football day.
43:18Three o'clock kickoff Saturday.
43:20Can't beat it.
43:21Well we come Celtic.
43:27Trusty.
43:29The Tierney.
43:33Looking for a pass.
43:35Short it goes to Bernardo.
43:36Quickly closed down.
43:37Celtic win the throw.
43:39But yet again.
43:40Now you've got Dyson Maider through the middle.
43:41There's a bigger option now.
43:42You can hit that space in the corner.
43:45And I know about the same play.
43:46And you're playing a certain style and Celtic do.
43:49Teams don't like it when you mix it up.
43:51And especially if you've got Maider's place.
43:52Make them defend.
44:03Livingstone win it back.
44:04Bakula.
44:07Runs out of space.
44:10On the right hand side.
44:11Throw to Celtic.
44:13We're almost on 85 minutes.
44:18It's here with the throw.
44:32Bernardo knocks that down to McCown.
44:34Playing more of a wide roll now since Johnny Kenny's gone off.
44:38And Maeda can see now through the middle.
44:40Almost closed down the goalkeeper there who just hesitated with his clearance.
44:45and you don't hesitate in front of Maeda I can't believe he takes so many touches
44:49you know and he's done it a couple of times especially with Maeda that's the one thing
44:53you know forget everything else that that's his first and his main attribute
44:58followed by Trusty McEwen chasing all the way back to the Livingston goal
45:11taken down by Ralston Bernardo back to Trusty Ralston again through the space finds Hattati first time pass
45:33Maeda goes down he's looking for a foul I don't think the referee and all the assistant were really looking
45:39Maeda's way
45:42Hattati picked up a brilliant space in behind because Maeda's long and he stretched him
45:47and he was in behind Silla I don't know what happened on the next one but I could
45:51imagine if I was Ryan McGowan I'd be doing the same thing I'd be trying to block him
45:54from making that run because there's no way I'm catching him
46:00Livingston coming down the left
46:08Maeda does well the block Celtic win possession crossfield ball picks out McCown
46:19gets the ball back from Hattati Bernardo on the stretch there
46:22Lugginston have it back
46:35Tierney brings it down inside him is Ralston
46:38Atatati in some space again Donovan out wide right inside the final three minutes the low cross from Donovan is easily defended
46:48High one upfield should be easy take for Trusty
46:55Now Ralston back to Sinisalo
47:02Celtic looking relatively comfortable the referee's blown
47:08Ralston's down in the far side
47:10Not happy with the attention of
47:14Not happy with the attention of
47:16Perkila
47:17Yep just leaves the left leg in there
47:22He's not done much wrong this is the chance that's the one who
47:27Oh he doesn't trip him by the way
47:28He's the last man
47:30They've been a red card
47:32Yeah I mean the referee's just not looking neither's the assistant
47:34Maeda's caught them all out but he's got away with that one McGowan
47:38It was brilliant with Atatati but that's what we're talking about when he gets turned and looks forward
47:42He finds that bit of space there's no thought in his mind he's going square or back
47:46He's obviously facing the opposition looks for that forward pass
47:49Well if it is a potential red card then
47:51VAR is there to pick up these moments that the referee doesn't spot
47:57Obviously VAR felt that it wasn't a potential red card
48:04Celtic do well in the middle of the park Maeda now
48:09Pass straight into the body of Silla
48:10Whittingston win it back
48:13Wilson
48:16Ball into the area Kiela leaves that
48:19Muirhead from just outside the area
48:22Went for power with the shot but couldn't get the accuracy
48:26Fires that one over the bar another chance for Livingston
48:29And he's more than capable I've seen him scoring goals like that
48:31That's what I said about him he's got a fantastic strike on him Robin Muirhead
48:36Into the final minute Livingston 2 Celtic 4
48:38A very important three points for Wales from Nancy's side
48:41In the context of the season
48:44Yes, Livingston bottom of the league with only one win so far
48:48But always a difficult place to come Livingston always a very physical side much of these
48:54Many of these Celtic players will feel like they've been in the waters this afternoon they've been in a game
48:58There'll be a lot of cuts and bruises to be dealt with over the next day or two before the game against Motherwell on Tuesday night
49:10The second half's been boring Jeremy
49:14Yeah it's not been the best
49:17Only joke
49:18All six goals coming in the first half
49:24Not much in the second half would make a highlights package
49:29In comes the cross from Muirhead and an easy take
49:31For Sinisalo
49:40Ninety minutes has come and gone four minutes have been added
49:54Throw to Celtic
49:55So after four straight defeats it looks like two wins on the bounce for Wilfried Nancy
50:09Yeah this is a big one and you're right even though the sport was the division
50:13Nothing's a gimmick going there, you know, you've got to go and do your work and it's struggled in the first thing to see
50:18Unbelievable 10 minutes a couple other chances after that
50:21But they've dug in, it's not been so good in the second half because I think we've played into Livingston's hands to be perfectly honest with you
50:26Too slow, not as many questions in behind them
50:29And it's allowed them to get tackles in and win silly set plays
50:35And that's, I think, something they have to learn within this group if they're going to play that system
50:41Long throw comes in from Muirhead
50:45Heather knocked on there by Wilson but an easy take for
50:48Bill Jeremy Sinisalo
50:52In for the injured Kasper Schmeichel this afternoon, manager said Kasper should be back by the next game
51:02Trusty to Tierney
51:03Interesting as well that more often a manager doesn't use the five substitutes
51:20Wilfried Nancy just using the three
51:23The Celtic come forward again, Ralston
51:26Donovan with the cross
51:28Manages to get a good cross away, Hatati now trying to find the angle
51:33For the shot, Bernardo out to McCowan across, the ball's loose but it's cleared the way by Danny Wilson
51:46I've always said to you, you're talking about the substitutions, I think there's too many substitutes, I know it sounds crazy
51:50I'm not a great believer, I thought it was for Covid and Covid only
51:58Because I think, and especially if you're a forward player, you're a striker maybe going through a hard time not scoring
52:04Nine times out of ten it's the front five it'll get 10 off
52:06So after 60 minutes you're 10 off
52:09And strikers sometimes get through a bad time, that goal maybe coming in the 89th minute
52:13Wee things like that
52:17Silver approaching the final minute
52:20Of the match
52:25Ball's out
52:25A throw to Livingston
52:33Celtic, another
52:37Kieran Tierney eating up a few more seconds
52:43Celtic will make up three points on Hearts
52:47Who lost the Edinburgh Derby earlier
52:49For a decent afternoon in the context of the league for Celtic
52:55Seconds remain
53:04Livingston two, Celtic four
53:07Tierney with the defensive head up
53:08Muir head though for Livingston
53:12Bernardo inside to McCown
53:15Now McGregor, Celtic being forced back
53:18Sinisalo
53:19Not taking any chances, kicks the ball upfield
53:22Referee blows for full time, Roque Ignancy gets his second win in succession
53:26A home victory against Aberdeen is followed up with an away win at Livingston
53:32Celtic close the gap on Hearts at the top
53:34They move on to an away tie against Motherwell
53:37On Tuesday night before
53:39The first Celtic part Glasgow Derby of the season on Saturday at midday, that man there got the penalty
53:45They gave Celtic that two-goal cushion after an incredible opening few minutes that's on
53:50Four goals inside the first nine minutes that man there Benjamin Negrin got a double
53:56He'll probably get your man of the match
53:59But Celtic were made to work hard for it
54:02Yang impressive as well in that first 45 minutes
54:05Peter Grant but all in all it's one of these games where you just want to come away with the three points
54:09Absolutely, I mean as I said the second half not the greatest and probably played into Livingston's hands
54:13But I thought the first half a lot if it was very very good
54:16Still defensive things probably the manager will be looking at and think they've given too many chances away
54:21Simple chances you know just when the ball's on the opposite side, crosses come in your box
54:26And that's what you've got to be careful as when you're getting away with it
54:28You know you rate your luck in the moments
54:30Great, you get the victory and I'm sure the manager here will be looking at the
54:34Obviously in the videos and whatever saying this is what we've got to tighten up
54:37And the players are very much aware of that as well but a fantastic three points
54:41During this period it's all I've been wanting
54:43As you say results elsewhere don't mean nothing if you don't do your business
54:47Yeah
54:47And it's so important you do your business
54:49Rangers have won as well so they leapfrog Motherwell who are Celtic's next opponent
54:54So Hearts are on 41 points after 19 games
54:59Celtic are on 38 points after 18 games
55:04Rangers have also played that number of games with their six points from the back with
55:08Motherwell two points off
55:10Rangers in four but three points was firmly on the mind of the Celtic players this afternoon
55:17And they got it Negrin, Double, Yang and Engels
55:21With Christian Montano getting a couple of goals for the home side
55:28He's got a bit of pace about him as well, I wonder what his finishing's like
55:31Yeah he's got a little, I have to be sure he's got a Christmas present there
55:33I think one of the boys have given his jersey
55:36So great credit to whoever gave him his jersey
55:40Yeah, we don't encourage that kind of thing
55:43What a brilliant present
55:46So
55:47We finish up here in Livingston
55:50Thanks for your company, we'll see you on Tuesday
55:52Livingston 2, Celtic 4
55:54Celtic 4
55:55With the Magnail of the centre comes for Celtic
56:00It is sensational
56:08Celtic are the champions
56:10Remember, the champions are the champions of your kafka
56:24It looks like we've got a new green specifically
56:26Together on Wilma's Tabernacle
56:36It looks like you can see the champions stable
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