The Lions failed to return to winning ways against Celtic as they fell to a 3-0 defeat, as the league leaders visited the Tony Macaroni Arena.

A Kyogo Furuhashi opener after nine minutes saw Celtic lead at the break, before Greg Taylor’s powerful strike from distance doubled their lead. The victory was sealed with three minutes to go as Jota scored his fifth cinch SPFL Premiership goal this season.

Livingston came into this one on the back of a solid performance against the blue side of Glasgow. They may have felt that a UEFA Champions League weary Celtic may have been there for the taking.

The Lions started brightly with Joel Nouble’s tame shot providing the hosts with the first chance of the game. However, Celtic would make no mistake on nine minutes as Greg Taylor played Furuhashi in and the Japanese forward lashed the ball home.

12 minutes into the second half, Celtic would double their lead. Earlier in the half, Jack Hamilton had saved well from Taylor’s shot from distance but the left back would make no mistake with his second effort. Hitting the Lions on the break, Taylor made solid contact as the ball broke to him and smashed the ball through Hamilton’s legs.

Celtic would have a chance to add a third in controversial circumstances. Jota’s attempted cross from the byline made contact with Andrew Shinnie’s hand and, after a VAR review, Willie Collum pointed to the spot. Giannis Giakoumakis couldn’t convert from the spot though as he clipped the outside of the post.

However, the result would be sealed with three minutes left. Giakoumakis’ squared pass found Jota in the centre of the box and he did well to slot past Hamilton – albeit with some suspicion of offside.

The result sees Celtic extend their lead to four points, as the Lions fell to 9th.

Match Report: Callum McCormack

Livingston: Hamilton, Devlin ©, Obileye, Fitzwater, Sn.Kelly, Longridge ▊, Holt, Pittman (Anderson 77), Penrice (Omeonga 73), St.Kelly (Shinnie 63 ▊), Nouble
Subs not used: Konovalov, Bahamboula, Gonçalves

Celtic: Hart, Ralston, Carter-Vickers © ▊, Jenz ▊, Taylor ▊, Mooy, O’Riley (Turnbull 67), Hatate (Giakomakis 80), Forrest (Abada 67), Haksabanovic (Abildgaard 80), Furuhashi (Jota 80)
Subs not used: Siegrist, Bernabei, Maeda, Juranovic
Goals: Furuhashi (9), Taylor (53), Jota (87)

Referee: Willie Collum
HT: 0-1
Att: 8,825

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