'Outstanding' win for 10-man Celtic at Livingston
Celtic produced "a monumental effort" to pick up three Scottish Premiership points at Livingston after goalkeeper Joe Hart's red card, said manager Brendan Rodgers.
![Celtic - Figure 1](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/430B/production/_131236171_20864717_-2.jpg)
Hart, who shouldered the blame for Feyenoord's opener in a midweek loss that saw Celtic finish with nine men, this time saw red for a professional foul on Mo Sangare before the break.
But Livingston, already behind to a Reo Hatate penalty, could not make their numerical advantage count and Matt O'Riley tapped in Celtic's second before a late stunner from Daizen Maeda capped the win.
The defending champions moved to 16 points from a possible 18 and will be top at the end of the sixth round of fixtures. Livingston's loss was their second in the league this season and they remain on six points.
"We have to show another side to us when we go down to 10 men," Rodgers told BBC Scotland. "I thought the players dealt with it brilliantly. Tactically they were very good. Defensively we were strong.
"It was an outstanding win for us. Huge credit to the players. It's a monumental effort on the back end of a Champions League week."
Reaction to Celtic's win & how it happenedThe latest Livingston newsKeep up to date with CelticFour days on from their Champions League defeat in Rotterdam, Celtic were out to reassert domestic dominance but almost fell behind early on. Bruce Anderson forced a save from Hart, with Scott Pittman's subsequent attempt cleared off the line by Callum McGregor.
Rodgers' side upped their intent and Hatate raced through to meet Greg Taylor's pass, only to be fouled by Luiyi De Lucas. The Japanese midfielder's spot-kick squirmed under the body of Shamal George for a first goal of the season.
It was crucial the hosts kept themselves in touch and George made a fine save to deny Maeda.
Hart's game came to an end after Sangare chased a long ball and was clattered by the goalkeeper outside the area. James Forrest made way for reserve keeper Scott Bain.
The 10 players saw out a frantic end to the first half and doubled their lead early in the second. Kyogo Furuhashi's cross should have been converted by Maeda, with the ball coming back off George for O'Riley to finish.
Bain almost gave Livi a route back into the game when he was robbed by Joel Nouble right in front of goal, but the towering forward contrived to chip over the bar.
George again saved from Maeda, and Celtic substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu fired narrowly wide, but a third goal arrived in added time when Maeda curled into the top left corner from the edge of the box - his first goal of the season.
Player of the match - Matt O'RileyAnother solid - and scoring - appearance for the ever more influential Celtic midfielderDepleted Celtic back to winning ways - analysisDefensively, Livingston's main task was staying in the game. Going forward, decision-making was always going to be key. On both counts, they fell short.
Without captain Mikey Devlin at the back, the home side were pulled left and right by Kyogo and Maeda and the Livi forwards only fleetingly troubled either of the keepers they faced.
![Celtic - Figure 2](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/91F3/production/_131236373_20864795.jpg)
While Tuesday offered a reminder of the levels Celtic must try to meet to compete in the Champions League, the forcefulness and resilience they showed in West Lothian demonstrated just how hard domestic opponents must work to trouble the league leaders.
The disruption caused by the Hart incident - Celtic's third sending-off in two games - turned the contest into a much scrappier one for Rodgers' side. Regardless, they passed the test.
What the managers saidLivingston manager David Martindale: "If we had ended that game 1-0, we probably could've taken it on the chin but ultimately we lost that game 2-0 against 10 men. My expectations, the players', the staff's expectations are greater than that. That's really the disappointing aspect of the game.
"Against 10 men for 60 minutes, we've got to do better. And I've got to hold my hands up as well. Maybe I never quite got my substitutions right. Credit to Celtic."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's the first time [Joe Hart's] been sent off in his career. It gave us a chance to show our mentality and personality and we definitely showed that.
"I think we're getting better. I'm just so happy for the players and the supporters. Happy for Daizen Maeda as well - it's not like playing with 10 men when you have him in the team because he covers so much ground."
What's next?Livingston visit Rangers in Wednesday's Viaplay Cup quarter-final (19:45 BST). Celtic are next in action away to Premiership opponents Motherwell next Saturday lunchtime (12:30).
Formation 4-3-2-1
1George12BrandonSubstituted forBradleyat 58'minutesBooked at 70mins23De LucasBooked at 13mins6Obileye29PenriceSubstituted forGuthrieat 71'minutes22ShinnieBooked at 66minsSubstituted forLawalat 71'minutesBooked at 74mins18Holt20SangareSubstituted forParkesat 58'minutesBooked at 80mins19Nouble8PittmanSubstituted forKellyat 58'minutes9AndersonSubstitutes4Parkes10Kelly11Mackay16Bradley24Kelly25Lloyd-McGoldrick28Guthrie32Hamilton40LawalFormation 4-3-3
1HartBooked at 28mins2JohnstonBooked at 22mins4Lagerbielke5ScalesBooked at 26mins3Taylor33O'Riley42McGregor41HatateSubstituted forIwataat 61'minutes49ForrestSubstituted forBainat 30'minutes8FuruhashiSubstituted forOhat 71'minutes38MaedaSubstitutes7Palma13Yang14Turnbull15Holm19Oh24Iwata28Gonçalves Bernardo29Bain56RalstonMatch ends, Livingston 0, Celtic 3.
Second Half ends, Livingston 0, Celtic 3.
Goal! Livingston 0, Celtic 3. Daizen Maeda (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner.
Attempt missed. Kurtis Guthrie (Livingston) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Stephen Kelly with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Livingston. Conceded by Alistair Johnston.
Attempt blocked. Joel Nouble (Livingston) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Steven Bradley.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Tom Parkes (Livingston).
Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Steven Bradley (Livingston).
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Tom Parkes.
Attempt blocked. Daizen Maeda (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Oh Hyeon-Gyu with a headed pass.
Foul by Gustaf Lagerbielke (Celtic).
Bruce Anderson (Livingston) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt saved. Matt O'Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Tom Parkes (Livingston) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Alistair Johnston (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Tom Parkes (Livingston).
Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Stephen Kelly (Livingston).
Player of the match
KellyStephen Kelly
with an average of 9.27
Squad number10Player nameKelly
Squad number1Player nameGeorge
Squad number4Player nameParkes
Squad number16Player nameBradley
Squad number28Player nameGuthrie
Squad number6Player nameObileye
Squad number23Player nameDe Lucas
Squad number19Player nameNouble
Squad number12Player nameBrandon
Squad number29Player namePenrice
Squad number9Player nameAnderson
Squad number40Player nameLawal
Squad number18Player nameHolt
Squad number22Player nameShinnie
Squad number8Player namePittman
Squad number20Player nameSangare
Squad number33Player nameO'Riley
Squad number38Player nameMaeda
Squad number8Player nameFuruhashi
Squad number3Player nameTaylor
Squad number5Player nameScales
Squad number2Player nameJohnston
Squad number41Player nameHatate
Squad number4Player nameLagerbielke
Squad number29Player nameBain
Squad number19Player nameOh Hyeon-Gyu
Squad number24Player nameIwata
Squad number49Player nameForrest
Squad number1Player nameHart
Squad number42Player nameMcGregor