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

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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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.