Normal service was resumed today, as Celtic picked up three points in a 4-2 win at Livingston. Rangers dropped two points at home to Dundee United, Celtic are therefore seven points clear at the top of the SPL.
After Wednesday’s bad result, there was always the chance of a slip-up today. Livingston seemed pretty confident before the game but any doubts were soon put to rest. Ross Wallace and Stephen McManus were both given starts, while Juninho was dropped to the bench. It was unknown whether Jackie McNamara and Chris Sutton would even start the game – but both finished it, coming through untouched. Didier Agathe is still recovering from injury, and missed out.
Prior to the game, I was angered at the comments made by the editor of Livingston-Mad. Whoever wrote the piece on today’s game is an arrogant wannabe, and would maybe want to consider a reality check. Clubs like Livingston need Celtic to survive, as today’s attendance showed. Three quarters of the ground were occupied by Celtic fans, and some Livingston fans may want to take note of this. Without the Old Firm, they would see themselves back in administration in no time.
Celts were ahead after only three minutes. Chris Sutton found Stan Petrov, who duly blasted the ball into the corner of the net. Easy peasy.
Henri Camara is certainly silencing his critics by banging in the goals; he added another today after thirteen minutes when he beat the Livvy offside trap to be faced one on one with the goalkeeper. There was only ever going to be one outcome, 2-0 Bhoys.
Camara was the instigator of Celtic’s third, when he showed his pace and power on the right hand side of the field. He squared the ball for John Hartson to tap home and Celtic looked unstoppable.
Chris Sutton added his name to the scoresheet just after half an hour, with the pick of Celtic’s goals. Sutton showed today that he is immense in any position and he is the best player in this country by a mile.
Livvy pulled one back through Burton O’Brien just before the half time whistle.
With Celtic banging in four goals before half time, we thought nothing could have went wrong. However, more names added to our evergrowing injury list gave us a bit of food for thought at the interval. Stephen McManus was knocked into the strangely positioned advertising boards and was worryingly stretchered off, to be replaced by Stephen Pearson. Henri Camara also made way during the first half due to injury, his replacement was Juninho. To add to our worries, Stan Varga failed to re-appear for the second half – Paul Lambert took his place.
With all the chopping and changing within the side, Celtic were always going to be a weakened team in the second half. Chris Sutton made way to centre back and Stephen Pearson landed the left back role.
The second half of the game was a freak show. Livingston scored right at the beginning of the half when O’Brien was once again allowed to waltz through the Celtic defence to score what was a great goal. Still, no single player should be allowed to demolish our entire defence.
Credit to Livingston, they played some good football in the second half, albeit against a Celtic team who looked as though they’d rather be at home watching the Edinburgh derby. The Livvy fans were having a rare old time – they sure know how to enjoy their football with horns, drums and 2,000 primary school kids.
Livvy couldn’t find another couple of goals to bring the game square and Celtic fizzled the game out. Our only chance of the half was from Ross Wallace, who blasted a decent opportunity over the bar.
Terrible refereeing was witnessed by all, Alan Freeland should never officiate another SPL game again.
But three points were all that mattered today, and we got them. I doubt if any side could have kept up the pace which we played the first half at.
Seven points ahead and Rangers will never catch us. The ‘Big Eck Must Go’ campaign is back on track while we can almost start planning our title parties.
Celtic:
Marshall – 7
Varga – 6 (Lambert - 6)
Balde – 8
McNamara – 7
McManus – 7 (Pearson - 6)
Lennon – 8
Petrov – 8
Wallace – 7
Sutton – 9
Camara – 9 (Juninho - 6)
Hartson – 7
Come On The Hoops Man Of The Match: Chris Sutton
Come On The Hoops Moment To Remember: Celtic’s fourth goal. Pure class.
Come On The Hoops Moment To Forget: That mad drummer in the Livvy end.