Livingston 2 Glasgow Celtic 4

Last updated : 24 October 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Four days after their European nightmare Celtic returned to the comforting surroundings of the SPL and quickly raced into a 4-0 lead - but a spate of injuries plus two goals from Livingston's Burton O'Brien ultimately made this a less than reassuring 90 minutes for manager Martin O'Neill.

What promised to be an imperious win turned into a bit of a sweat for Celtic, although their opening half-hour blitz was enough to stretch their unbeaten away record to 29 league games and leave Livingston still waiting for their first ever victory over them.

The Bhoys took barely two minutes to shrug off their Champions League hangover as a through ball from Chris Sutton set up Bulgarian midfielder Stilian Petrov for a firm right-foot drive low into the net from 15 yards.

Sutton was showing no sign of the concussion which cut short his involvement midweek as a glancing header from the Englishman soon forced keeper Roddy McKenzie into an acrobatic save.

The 13th minute proved unlucky for the home side when John Hartson's pass released Henri Camara, who left his pursuers for dead before slotting the ball low past the advancing McKenzie.

Camara was also heavily involved in Celtic's third goal five minutes later as a combination of the African's persistence and wretched defending allowed him to cross for Hartson to tap in from close range.

A knee injury which led young full-back Stephen McManus to be stretchered off did not halt Celtic's momentum and they went even further ahead on the half hour when Sutton's back heel was returned by Hartson for the Englishman to score with another low right footer.

Camara was the next visiting player to be sidelined following a ferocious challenge by Emmanuel Dorado and as the Hoops reorganised with substitute Juninho partnering Hartson up front.

Livingston pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time through O'Brien's sharp turn and angled right foot finish.

Sutton then moved back into defence after Paul Lambert replaced the injured Stanislav Varga, but he still managed to join the attack for a Petrov free-kick which he headed wide.

In the 54th minute more direct play from O'Brien, rounded off by another perfectly placed shot, left keeper David Marshall well beaten and Celtic suddenly looking vulnerable.

A torrid spell followed for the visitors, especially when they were reduced to ten men for a few minutes after a head wound forced Hartson off the field for treatment, but Livingston could not get any closer.

With 11 minutes left, youngster Ross Wallace had a chance to rubber stamp Celtic's victory but blasted over the bar and into the car park to sum up a mixed afternoon for his team.