THE unstoppable Celtic juggernaut rumbles on.
Having not lost a domestic fixture at Parkhead since way back on January 30, 2021, it would have been a major shock if the Scottish champions had slipped up tonight.
Even against a Livingston team who are in fourth in the cinch Premiership table and have shown once again in recent months they are no pushovers.
Still, it is hard not to marvel at the sheer relentlessness of Ange Postecoglou’s team, who wore down David Martindale’s ultra-competitive side with the minimum of fuss and racked up another impressive victory, all the same.
A rare Greg Taylor strike, a Daizen Maeda goal which the forward knew very little about and a Kyogo Furuhashi effort had effectively wrapped up another three points by half-time. The only surprise was Celtic failed to add more in a second-half they dominated.
Here are five talking points from events at Parkhead
HOT STREAK
This routine win stretched Celtic’s unbeaten streak in domestic competitions to 20 matches and ensured they maintained their comfortable nine point lead over their nearest challengers Rangers in the league.
It also extended their run without a loss in the Premiership on their own turf to 37– if they get the better of Aberdeen later this month they will have racked up a entire season of games without suffering a reverse.
Postecoglou has been largely responsible for that; the Greek-Australian coach has personally now gone 31 matches at Parkhead in the top flight without experiencing the pain of a reverse.
Livingston are one of the most difficult teams to break down in the league. It is very hard to see who is going to breach the Celtic fortress and dent their title push when they have home advantage.
NEGATIVE LIVINGSTON
Livingston might not have beaten Celtic away in 18 previous attempts before tonight. However, the West Lothian outfit had certainly had their moments in the East End of Glasgow over the years. They had drawn 0-0 three times in the past four seasons.
It was easy to understand why when the game kicked off. The hosts had to find a way past a packed backline that comprised Nicky Devlin, Ayo Obileye, Jack Fitzwater, Morgan Boyes and James Penrice whenever they were on the attack. Scott Pittman, Jason Holt and Stephane Omeonga, too, did not stray very far from their penalty area.
Their defensive approach has worked well for them in the past. But they lived dangerously from kick-off this evening and it was a minor miracle they lasted half an hour before conceding.
Lone Livingston striker Anderson did what he could with the limited service which he received from his team mates behind him and hit the post at 2-0 after Carl Starfelt had slipped and fallen on the sodden turf. But the visitors didn’t offer enough going forward to merit another result.
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Callum McGregor racked up his 400th appearance for Celtic against Dundee United on Sunday and the Parkhead club marked the occasion accordingly this evening; his manager presented him with a framed strip with 400 emblazoned on it on the pitch before kick-off.
McGregor partnered Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley, who came in to make his first start in a fortnight as Aaron Mooy was rested, and performed with the same composure, energy and intelligence as he has since he made his debut way back in 2014.
He needed medical attention after Anderson fell on top of him and had to leave the field to remove his blood-spattered shorts in the dugout – a quick change which drew wolf whistles from the crowd – during the first-half.
But the 29-year-old dusted himself down and was soon back dictating play in the centre of the park. He has been integral to so much of the success which his boyhood heroes have enjoyed in recent years and looks set to be again in the coming months.
OBILEYE CURSE
It is fair to say that Parkhead is not Obileye’s favourite ground; he conceded a late penalty and was sent off at the stadium last season and netted an own goal on his return earlier this term.
His hoodoo struck again tonight when he attempted to clear the ball to safety out of his six yard box – his clearance struck Maeda’s head and rebounded past Shamal George and into his own net.
The English centre half has been superb for Livingston this season – but he will be looking forward to getting back to the Tony Macaroni Stadium for the visit of Kilmarnock on Saturday.
FURUHASHI ON FIRE
The Japanese striker took his tally for the 2022/23 campaign to 21 in added on time at the end of the opening 45 minutes when he got on the end of an O’Riley through ball and slotted beyond George.
There was an interminable delay as there were VAR check for first a possible foul in the build-up and then a possible offside. Not even new technology can deny the on-form predator.
Postecoglou revealed there was no update on Giorgos Giakoumkais, who has been tipped to depart to Atlanta United in the United States and was once again left out of the squad, before kick-off. “There is no update,” he said. “The interested markets are not under deadline pressure.”
With Furuhashi in such scintillating form, however, goals are not exactly in short supply.
Celtic, of course, need back-up for their first choice striker in case of injury and suspension and there are high hopes for new arrival Oh Hyeon-gyu. The South Korean internationalist made his debut towards the end of the 2-0 triumph over Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday. He came on to make his first home appearance to a huge cheer with 16 minutes remaining tonight.
His manager stressed at the weekend that it will take his January transfer window recruit time to settle in to his new surroundings. But Oh came within inches of turning in a delivery from substitute Mooy tonight. He will certainly not be short of ammunition.
