Livingston vs Celtic - Match Report

Celtic’s winless run at Almondvale Stadium continued as Livingston pulled off yet another shock result, holding out for a 1-0 win.

Andrew Shinnie’s first half goal was enough to see the Livi Lions claim their first win of the season, taking them off the foot of the table into 9th place.

Livingston began the match searching for their first win of the 2021/22 League campaign. The visitors looked to take three points from Almondvale for the first time since 4th February 2007 in a 4-1 Scottish Cup win.

David Martindale’s men lined up in an unusual 4-6-0 formation with no recognised striker. Returning for the Hoops, Boli Bolingoli made his first start in the Scottish Premiership for over two years.

As expected Celtic started the brighter of the pair, pressuring the Livingston backline from the first whistle. The Celts first League game with away fans in attendance for 19 months meant the intensity was high.

Against the run of play, It was the home side who made the breakthrough in the 26th minute. Make-shift Centre forward Andrew Shinnie latched onto the end of Jackson Longridge’s cross touching past the returning Stephen Welsh and finishing emphatically into the top right corner.

Going into half time, the visitors were lucky not be two goals down. Free in the six yard box, Jack Fitzwater was on the end of a free kick, his volley stopped remarkably by the flashing hand of Joe Hart.

In the 73rd minute Celtic were denied an equaliser by a great save from Stryek. Albian Ajeti looked to keep his goalscoring form up as he turned and fired low only to be denied by the stretching hand of the Livingston stopper.

Despite waves of pressure the Lions held on, gaining a vital three points. Celtic picked up their worst run of form since the Kenny Dalglish era, losing three away games on the bounce.

Next up for Livingston it’s a trip to the Scottish Champions, Rangers in midweek for the chance of a return to Hampden in the League Cup Semi-Final.

The Hoops will look to bounce back to winning ways as they host Raith Rovers on Thursday night in the League Cup Quarter-Final.