Celtic bounced back from recent Scottish Premiership setbacks with a convincing victory over Livingston, highlighted by a dynamic start to the second half. Kyogo Furuhashi, breaking a seven-game goal drought, found the net with a close-range finish, and Liam Scales extended the lead with a superb header, both assisted by Luis Palma's precise crosses.
The match showcased Celtic's dominance, with goalkeeper Jack Hamilton making crucial saves to prevent a more significant scoreline, and the win pushed Celtic five points ahead of Rangers, who have two games in hand.
The intensity from Celtic was evident from the outset as they sought redemption following two consecutive league defeats, a rare occurrence in the last decade. Despite Livingston's defensive efforts with a deep, collective block, Celtic created first-half opportunities for Matt O'Riley, Kyogo, and Daizen Maeda, met with resilient defending from the visitors.
However, Livingston's defensive resolve crumbled early in the second half when Kyogo capitalized on a defensive lapse to convert a clever cross from Palma.
Celtic's lead was further solidified by Scales, who showcased his aerial prowess with an impressive header from Palma's corner. Livingston's goalkeeper, Hamilton, faced a relentless Celtic attack, denying chances from Cameron Carter-Vickers and Oh Hyeon-gyu.
Despite Hamilton's commendable efforts, Celtic secured a crucial win, setting the stage for an Old Firm derby against Rangers at Celtic Park and maintaining their lead at the top of the Premiership.
Livingston, currently five points adrift at the bottom of the table, continued their winless streak in 10 top-flight matches, underscoring their offensive struggles with just two goals during this challenging run.
ADD A COMMENT :