Scottish Premiership
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Tony Macaroni Arena, Livingston

CELTIC…2
(McGregor 16, Rogic 90+2)

LIVINGSTON…2
(Guthrie 24, Robinson 46)

TOM Rogic’s stoppage-time equaliser rescued a point for Celtic in a 2-2 draw away to Livingston. The late comeback meant the champions extended their lead at the top of the table to 13 points.

Callum McGregor’s early goal was cancelled out shortly after by Livingston captain, Jon Guthrie. The home side then took the lead early in the second half through Scott Robinson. Rogic emerged as the goal hero in the dying minutes to secure a draw.

Livingston pressed Celtic high up the pitch in the opening stages and the risk in their approach was exposed after a few minutes when they were opened up in the counter attack.

A quick break saw McGregor play a perfectly weighted pass out to Taylor who drilled a great pass into the near post for Elyounoussi, however the cross was stabbed clear before the Norwegian could connect.

There was a frantic tempo to the game from kick off and the home side, undeterred by the champions’ early chance, tried to catch champions’ out with long balls into the final third as soon as they won possession.

Fraser Forster was first called into action when Scott Robinson managed to squeeze off a shot on the edge of the Celtic box but the Hoops stopper dived low to push it out for a corner.

Celtic continued to target the left wing and their first chance was an indication of what was to come. Steve Lawson was caught too high up the pitch when Celtic won possession and Taylor found himself wide open. He zipped a cross into the box which found its way to the feet of McGregor. He chopped inside and rifled the ball beyond Robby McCrorie.

The home side levelled less than 10 minutes later from a long throw-in. Jon Guthrie pressured Forster, who tried to pluck the ball out of the air, and steered the loose ball in from close range.

Both sides showed intent to score a second before half-time but it was Celtic who created the better of the chances.

Christopher Jullien came close to heading in from a Ryan Christie set-piece but the French defender could keep the ball down. Later, Edouard hit the post with a right-footed shot inside the box after McGregor won possession on the halfway line and broke away.

The half-time whistle saved Livingston who found themselves under a real period of pressure as the break approached. Celtic were moving the ball around well and Taylor forced a good save from the keeper with his powerful left-footed strike from a tight angle.

Livingston caught Celtic out almost immediately following the restart when Lyndon Dykes managed to get away from Jullien out on the right and cut a pass back for Robinson to side-foot in from close range.

Celtic showed plenty of urgency in their response as they went in search of an equaliser. Livi found themselves pinned inside their box trying desperately to keep Celtic at bay.

The champions were finding openings in the Livingston defence and Neil Lennon’s decision to bring Jeremie Frimpong on and move Forrest out to the left wing proved effective as the Hoops carved open Livi in the wide areas.

Edouard nearly put Celtic ahead with just over 20 minutes remaining when he was bearing down on goal but Livingston captain, Cuthrie, managed to block his shot and divert it out for a corner.

Livingston worked hard to close the gaps and packed their box as they desperately defended the relentless Celtic attack.

The champions’ perseverance paid off in stoppage-time when Edouard dribbled his way into the box and cut a pass back for Rogic to side-foot home.

CELTIC: Forster, Bitton, Jullien, Ajer, Brown, Forrest, Christie (Griffiths 76), McGregor, Taylor (Frimpong 62), Edouard, Elyounoussi (Rogic 68).
Subs: Gordon, Bayo, Hayes, Elhamed

LIVINGSTON: McCrorie, Ambrose, Sibbald, Brown, Guthrie, Lawson, Pittman, Robinson (Bartley 66), Lawless (Crawford 73), Taylor-Sinclair & Dykes.
Subs - Schofield, Souda, Devlin, Jacobs, McMillan,

Website Man of the Match: Callum McGregor

Rogic triumphs in Livingston as Hoops go 13 points clear