Livingston 2-4 Celtic: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Coral’s post-match review of Livingston 2-4 Celtic in the Premiership on Saturday, 27 December 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Celtic beat Livingston 4-2 in an entertaining clash at Almondvale. The game burst into life early on when Cristian Montano put Livingston ahead in the 3rd minute, but Benjamin Nygren quickly equalised for Celtic just three minutes later in the 6th. Montano struck again for the hosts in the 8th minute to regain the lead, only for Hyun-jun Yang to level things up once more in the 10th, setting up a frantic opening spell that reflected Celtic’s recent mixed form with wins and losses, while Livingston’s string of defeats showed in their defensive frailties.

Celtic took control before the break as Benjamin Nygren netted his second in the 31st minute, and Arne Engels converted a penalty in the 39th to make it 4-2. The second half saw Livingston make several changes, including Jeremy Bokila replacing Lewis Smith at half-time, but they couldn’t find a way back despite their efforts. This win helps Celtic bounce back from recent setbacks like losses to Dundee United and Hearts, keeping them in the hunt at the top, whereas Livingston’s ongoing poor run, with no wins in their last five, leaves them struggling.

Celtic dominated possession with two-thirds of the ball, which allowed them to control the tempo and create more attacking opportunities, while Livingston relied on counter-attacks despite having more corners at 11 to Celtic’s 4. The visitors were sharper in transitions, completing more successful dribbles at 64 compared to Livingston’s 44, and they made the most of their assists with three recorded against Livingston’s one, highlighting their clinical edge in front of goal.

Livingston picked up one yellow card late on for Mahamadou Susoho, with no reds or cards for Celtic, and the hosts used all five substitutions – including Robbie Muirhead coming on for Tete Yengi in the 68th and a double change in the 78th where Joshua Brenet replaced Cristian Montano and Samson Lawal came on for Macaulay Tait – in a bid to chase the game. Celtic, meanwhile, were more measured with three changes, such as Reo Hatate replacing Benjamin Nygren in the 71st, and they benefited from a successful penalty while neither side scored in injury time.

The match exploded early with goals flying in: Cristian Montano opened the scoring for Livingston in the 3rd minute, but Benjamin Nygren replied for Celtic in the 6th, assisted by Daizen Maeda. Montano then grabbed his second in the 8th, assisted by Scott Pittman, only for Hyun-jun Yang to equalise again in the 10th with help from Johnny Kenny, making it a breathless start.

Celtic pulled ahead decisively when Benjamin Nygren scored his brace in the 31st, assisted by Kieran Tierney, and Arne Engels slotted home a penalty in the 39th after a VAR check involving Daizen Maeda two minutes earlier. Livingston tried to respond with substitutions like Mahamadou Susoho replacing Stevie May in the 74th, but Susoho’s yellow card in the 81st summed up their frustrations as Celtic held firm.

Livingston lined up in a 4-3-3 shape, looking to balance defence with attacking threat through players like Cristian Montano on the wing, who formed a key partnership with Scott Pittman in midfield to create early chances. Tete Yengi led the line up front, supported by the likes of Stevie May, while substitutions such as Jeremy Bokila coming on for Lewis Smith at half-time aimed to refresh the forward options.

Celtic set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Benjamin Nygren and Hyun-jun Yang operating behind striker Johnny Kenny to provide creativity and goals, and Kieran Tierney adding width from the back. Arne Engels anchored the midfield effectively, contributing to the penalty, while changes like Colby Donovan replacing Hyun-jun Yang in the 71st helped maintain their control.

Coral’s Man of the Match goes to Cristian Montano for his brace that kept Livingston in the contest early on, scoring twice without any assists but adding one key pass and creating no big chances – a standout effort despite the defeat, and he was later replaced by Joshua Brenet in the 78th minute.

Recent Premiership matches:

• Loss: 2-4 vs Celtic (H)
• Loss: 0-1 vs St. Mirren (A)
• Draw: 2-2 vs Dundee (H)
• Loss: 0-3 vs Motherwell (A)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Aberdeen (H)

Recent Premiership matches:

• Win: 4-2 vs Livingston (A)
• Win: 3-1 vs Aberdeen (H)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Dundee United (A)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Hearts (H)
• Win: 1-0 vs Dundee (H)

Livingston have just lost 2-4 at home to Celtic, extending their poor run with no wins in five league games, including draws and defeats that have left them in 12th place on nine points and deep in relegation trouble. They’ll be desperate for a turnaround when they face Dundee United away on 30 December at 19:45, with the opponents sitting eighth on 21 points and in better form, making this a crucial chance for Livingston to pick up points and climb away from danger.

Celtic have just won 4-2 away at Livingston, a result that builds on their recent wins against Aberdeen and Dundee despite a couple of slip-ups against Dundee United and Hearts, keeping them second on 38 points and firmly in the title race. They host Motherwell next on 30 December at 20:00, with the visitors fourth on 30 points and pushing for Europe, so Celtic will aim to maintain momentum and close any gap at the top.

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