Celtic received 3-0 at Livingston to increase their lead on the prime of the Scottish Premiership on Saturday lunch time regardless of goalkeeper Joe Hart selecting up a first-half crimson card.
Issues have been going in keeping with plan for the champions on the Tony Macaroni Enviornment when Reo Hatate nearly transformed a 14th-minute penalty, awarded after Luiyi De Lucas had hacked down the Japan ahead within the field.
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Reo Hatate received and scored a penalty to place Celtic forward at Livingston
Nonetheless, the match appeared to activate its head after Hart was proven a straight crimson card for taking out Mo Sangare simply outdoors the realm because the Livi striker latched on to a protracted ball excessive simply earlier than the half-hour mark.
However Brendan Rodgers’s facet noticed out the second interval with few issues and prolonged their lead because of additional strikes at first of the half from Matt O’Riley – his fourth already within the league this season – and a surprise purpose from Daizen Maeda on the dying.
Consequently, Celtic prolonged their lead over second-placed St Mirren, who play in a while Saturday afternoon, to 5 factors, whereas David Martindale’s staff keep in seventh place.
How Celtic overcame Hart crimson to see off Livi
Livi supervisor David Martindale had made two modifications from the staff that had drawn 1-1 with Ross County the earlier weekend.
In got here Sangare and Scott Pittman, changing Mikey Devlin and Stephen Kelly.
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Joe Hart is shipped off after taking out Livingston’s Mohammed Sangare when he was via on purpose
There was just one change to the Celtic beginning line-up from their Champions League loss to Feyenoord and it was a shocking one, James Forrest handed his first begin since January as Luis Palma dropped out.
The primary probability got here for Celtic however Hatate’s low dribbler lacked the ability to bother Shamal George within the residence purpose.
Livingston replied with a fierce Bruce Anderson drive that Hart did properly to parry, with Callum McGregor booting Pittman’s rebound effort off the road.
The opening purpose, nevertheless, got here on the different finish after 13 minutes. Luiyi de Lucas needlessly introduced down Hatate and Beaton instantly awarded the penalty.
Hatate selected to take it himself and his effort squeezed underneath George’s physique to provide Celtic the lead.
Group information
Livi made two alterations from the staff that drew at Ross County final trip, with midfield duo Mo Sangare and Scott Pittman coming in for the benched Stephen Kelly and Mikey Devlin, who’s injured.
In the meantime, Celtic made simply the one change to the facet that misplaced 2-0 to Feyenoord within the Champions League group stage on Tuesday night time with James Forrest changing Luis Palma, who was a substitute, in what was his first begin since towards Rangers within the new yr.
The goalkeeper was unlucky there however proved his price shortly after as he rushed out to dam Maeda’s shot from shut vary.
The following piece of drama unfolded on the different. Sangare reached James Penrice’s ball forward of Hart, the goalkeeper bringing him down clumsily on the sting of the field.
Beaton flashed a crimson card and VAR didn’t change the choice, lowering Celtic to 10 gamers for the remaining hour of the match. Forrest was sacrificed to permit Scott Bain to come back on.
Penrice took the resultant free-kick however curled it into the facet netting earlier than Ayo Obileye had a dig from distance that Bain stopped properly.
Livingston started the second half seeking to capitalise on their additional man however as an alternative discovered themselves additional behind lower than three minutes later.
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A take a look at Celtic’s second purpose towards Livingston with a scrappy purpose from Matt O’Riley
Maeda failed to show in Kyogo Furuhashi’s cross from shut vary however O’Riley helped him out by lashing within the rebound.
Joel Nouble then tried to lob Bain after a mistake by the substitute goalkeeper however his try drifted simply over the crossbar as Livi didn’t mount any sort of response.
As a substitute there was nonetheless time for Celtic to assert a 3rd in damage time with Maeda ending properly from distance.
What the managers stated…
Livingston boss David Martindale:
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers:
What’s subsequent?
Celtic’s subsequent Scottish Premiership match is away to Motherwell on September 30. Kick-off 12.30pm.
Livingston have a Viaplay Cup quarter-final at Rangers on Wednesday night time. Kick-off 8pm.
Their subsequent Scottish Premiership recreation is at St Johnstone on September 30. That recreation kicks off at 3pm.