Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Scottish Premiership
Tony Macaroni Arena, Livingston

LIVINGSTON…2
(Brown 15, Emmanuel-Thomas 59)

CELTIC…2
(Elyounoussi 28, Bitton 37)

Celtic were held to a draw by Livingston amidst difficult weather conditions at Tony Macaroni Arena. Neil Lennon’s came back from a goal down to take the lead but were unable to hold on as Livingston equalised in the second half. And the Hoops ended the game with 10 men after Scott Brown was sent off.

Ciaron Brown headed Livingston in front before Mohamed Elyounoussi equalised. Nir Bitton fired Celtic in front just before the break but Jay Emmanuel-Thomas cancelled out Celtic’s lead.

Celtic started the game well and showed an urgency going forward when in possession. The first opportunity came from a set-piece in the eighth minute after Nir Bitton was fouled 30 yards from goal. Mohamed Elyounoussi met Christie’s delivery with a glancing header but sent the ball over the crossbar.

Neil Lennon's side looked the more threatening in attack, but it was the home side who opened the scoring with their first real opportunity. An inviting cross from Julien Serrano’s inswinging free-kick was guided into the bottom corner by an unmarked Ciaron Brown.

Alan Forrest almost doubled Livingston’s lead one minute later when he pounced on a loose clearance only to drag his shot just wide of the post from the edge of the box. Almost immediately, Leigh Griffiths came close to levelling for Celtic, but his shot from a tight angle inside the box hit the side netting.

Celtic managed to keep the pressure on their opponents, and Elyounoussi equalised with a brilliant finish in the 28th minute. The Norwegian winger ran across goal to side foot Griffiths’ corner in off the underside of the crossbar. Neil Lennon’s side looked more in control as half-time approached and kept Livingston pinned deep inside their own half.

And they secured a thoroughly deserved second goal in the 37th minute thanks to some sensational play from Callum McGregor. David Turnbull’s corner was initially headed clear, but Celtic immediately regained possession and McGregor threaded a stunning pass through to Nir Bitton inside the box. The Hoops defender took a touch and lifted the ball into the far corner with his left foot.

A third goal for Celtic looked likely just before half-time. A quick counter-attack saw Turnbull break down the inside left channel and he played an excellent pass into the path of Kristoffer Ajer with the inside of his right foot. Robby McCrorie rushed off his line to block the shot from just inside the penalty area.

Celtic picked up from where they left off following the restart and immediately pressured the home side. Ajer burst forward out in the right wing and zipped an inviting pass across the six-yard box which went unanswered. Livingston were unable to clear the ball and Elyounoussi managed to squeeze off a shot from 18 yards but it was straight at the keeper.

Misfortune struck for Celtic two minutes later, though, and, as was the case in the first half, Livingston managed to score against the run of play. Brown won the ball for Livingston inside Celtic’s half, played a quick one-two with substitute Jaze Kabia, and drilled a pass across the face of goal for Emmanuel-Thomas to finish from close range.

Celtic responded with more opportunities but Ryan Christie’s shot from Greg Taylor’s cross was straight at the keeper and Griffiths’ shot from the edge of the area was off target.

Conditions at Almondavle worsened as the game wore on and the snow began to affect how the ball moved across the surface, but Celtic were in control and moved the ball around as they looked to restore their lead. The home side continued to hold on amidst Celtic’s pressure and McCorie was kept busy, saving another effort, this time from Taylor.

Celtic’s efforts to restore their lead were dealt a blow when Scott Brown was sent off five minutes after his introduction following a clash with Jaze Kabia. Livingston pushed for another goal but there was to be no further scoring in the game.

LIVINGSTON: McCrorie, Brown, Guthrie, Fitzwater, Lawson, Serrano, McMillan (Robinson 75), Pittman, Forrest (Kebia 57), Emmanuel-Thomas (Devlin 66), Hamilton (Reilly 57).
Subs: Sibbald, Mullin, Taylor-Sinclair, Pignatiello, Maley

CELTIC: Barkas, Taylor, Duffy, Bitton, Griffiths (Klimala 69), Soro (Brown 78), Turnbull (Johnston 81), Christie, Elyounoussi, Ajer (Frimpong 78), McGregor.
Subs: Bain, Ajeti, Rogic, Welsh, Laxalt

Celtic held to a draw away to Livingston