| Match Pictures | Matches: 2001 – 2002 | 2001-2002 Pictures |
Trivia
- Larsson scored his 25th goal of the season.
- Moravcik was awesome in the second half.
Review
Livingston made a lively start to the game and took a surprise early lead after just four minutes through a breathtaking 25-yard strike from Quino. The ball broke to the Spaniard and he unleashed a stunning right-foot volley which flew past goalkeeper Robert Douglas and in off the underside of the bar for his fifth goal of the season.
That stung Celtic into life and they carved out a good chance in the 13th minute but Stilian Petrov failed to connect with a clever Henrik Larsson cutback in front of goal.
Celtic were forced to make a substitution after Jackie McNamara pulled up, to be replaced by Moravcik. The Slovakian's introduction sparked more urgency from the bhoys and they created two good opportunities in the space of two minutes soon after. John Hartson dragged his left foot effort well past after good work from Petta then Petrov had a goalbound shot blocked by his own team-mate Mjallby.
Celtic had the ball in the net 10 minutes after the re-start but the linesman was flagging for offside before Joos Valgaeren bundled Hartson's headed pass over the line.
With 57 minutes on the clock, Moravcik engineered some space for himself 20 yards out and unleashed a dipping shot which Nick Culkin let bounce in front of him and into the Livi net for the equaliser.
Three minutes later, Celtic were in front when Larsson pounced in the penalty area for his 25th goal of the season after Hartson had failed to connect with substitute Jamie Smith's cross.
Celtic put the game beyond the home side after 72 minutes when Hartson slipped the ball past Culkin to complete a great second half comeback.
Teams
Livingston:-
Culkin, Hart, Anderson, Rubio, Andrews, Bollan, Quino, Tosh, Fernandez, Wilson (Lowndes 31), Bingham (Brittain 81).
Subs not used:- McEwan, Makel, Santini.
Goal:- Quino 4.
Booked:- Tosh, Fernandez, Anderson.
Celtic:-
Douglas, McNamara (Moravcik 22), Valgaeren, Balde, Mjallby, Lambert, Petta (Guppy 86), Lennon, Petrov (Smith 56), Larsson, Hartson.
Subs not used:- Gould, Maloney.
Goals:- Moravcik 68, Larsson 60, Hartson 72.
Booked:- Valgaeren.
Att:- 8,437
Ref:- D McDonald.
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
- Match Report (BBC)
Pictures
Articles
Celtic hit back at Livi
BBC
Livingston 1-3 Celtic
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Celtic continued on their relentless march towards the defence of their SPL crown with a win at Almondvale, but they were given an early scare by Livingston.
The home side took a fourth minute lead through a sizzling strike from Francisco Quino and had the champions pinned back for the long spells in the first half.
However, Celtic found their form in the second period and goals from Lubo Moravcik, Henrik Larsson and John Hartson saw them fight back in fine style.
The victory extends Celtic's lead over nearest challengers Rangers, who were held at Kilmarnock, to a massive 15 points.
The visitors were forced to make one change with Alan Thompson suspended, but in came winger Bobby Petta while defender Johan Mjallby passed a late fitness test.
Livingston made one change from the team which crashed out of the Scottish Cup to Aberdeen over the weekend with Marvin Andrews replacing Philippe Brinquin in defence.
Steve Tosh and Stilian Petrov challenge
The home side made a lively start to the game and took a surprise early lead after just four minutes through a breathtaking 25-yard strike from Quino.
The ball broke to the Spaniard and he unleashed a stunning right-foot volley which flew past goalkeeper Robert Douglas and in off the underside of the bar for his fifth goal of the season.
That stung the visitors into life and they carved out a good chance in the 13th minute but Stilian Petrov failed to connect with a clever Henrik Larsson cutback in front of goal.
Livingston looked dangerous every time they went forward on the break and only a great save from Douglas denied Barry Wilson's long ranges trike in the 21st minute.
Moments later Celtic manager Martin O'Neill was forced to make a substitution after Jackie McNamara pulled up, to be replaced by Moravcik.
The Slovakian's introduction sparked more urgency from the visitors and they created two good opportunities in the space of two minutes soon after.
John Hartson dragged his left foot effort well past after good work from Petta then Petrov had a goalbound shot blocked by his own team-mate Mjallby.
Livingston also had to make a change with Nathan Lowndes coming on for the injured Wilson.
Celtic had the ball in the net 10 minutes after the re-start but the linesman was flagging for offside before Joos Valgaeren bundled Hartson's headed pass over the line.
However, Celtic fans did not have long to wait before their favourites were on level terms.
With 57 minutes on the clock, Moravcik engineered some space for himself 20 yards out and unleashed a dipping shot which Nick Culkin let bounce in front of him and into the Livi net.
Three minutes later, Celtic were in front when Larsson pounced in the penalty area for his 25th goal of the season after Hartson had failed to connect with substitute Jamie Smith's cross.
The league leaders put the game beyond the home side after 72 minutes when Hartson slipped the ball past Culkin to complete a great second half comeback.
The Welshman nearly claimed another goal soon after when his diving header shaved the base of the post.
Livingston: Culkin, Hart, Anderson, Rubio, Andrews, Bollan, Quino, Tosh, Fernandez, Wilson (Lowndes 31), Bingham (Brittain 81).
Subs Not Used: McEwan, Makel, Santini.
Booked: Tosh, Fernandez, Anderson.
Celtic: Douglas, McNamara (Moravcik 22), Valgaeren, Balde, Lambert, Petta (Guppy 86), Lennon, Petrov (Smith 56), Mjallby, Larsson, Hartson.
Subs Not Used: Gould, Maloney.
Booked: Valgaeren.
Attendance: 8,437
Referee: D McDonald
Livingston v Celtic
30th January 2002
SPL
Report – Football 365
http://www.100megsfree3.com/celticcrazy/rep2/30jan2002.html
Celtic came back from a goal down to win 3-1 at Livingston and extend their lead at the top of the SPL to 15 points
Martin O'Neill's side now need eight wins from 12 games to retain their title as second-half goals from Lubo Moravcik, Henrik Larsson and John Hartson completed the turnaround.
But they could have easily gone under to Livi, who made a dream start by taking the lead after just four minutes through a breathtaking 25-yard strike from Quino.
The ball broke to the Spanish star and he unleashed a stunning right-foot volley which flew past goalkeeper Robert Douglas and in off the underside of the bar for his fifth of the season.
And the champions went in one down at half-time before unleashing an onslaught after the break.
They thought they had grabbed the equaliser in the 56th minute.
Moravcik's cross was headed towards the far post and Joos Valgaeren headed home from close range, but the linesman had his flag up although the reason was not clear.
There was no doubt though with Celtic's leveller two minutes later as Moravcik produced another piece of magic.
Henrik Larsson teed him up and he drilled a low left-foot shot into the bottom corner – although on-loan keeper Nick Culkin might have done better.
And Culkin could do nothing to prevent the charged-up visitors from taking the lead in the 61st minute.
Smith's right-wing cross was completely missed by Hartson, but Larsson made no mistake to fire emphatically into the bottom corner for his 25th goal of the campaign.
Celtic's stunning second-half comeback was sealed in the 72nd minute with Hartson also getting his name on the scoresheet.
The Welshman reacted quickly to some slack defending from John Anderson inside his own area to stab the ball home past Culkin and into the bottom corner.
CELTIC (3-5-2): Douglas; Mjallby, Balde, Valgaeren; McNamara (Moravcik 23), Lennon, Lambert, Petrov (Smith 56), Petta (Guppy 87); Hartson, Larsson. Subs: Gould, Maloney.
LIVINGSTON (3-5-2): Culkin; Rubio, Andrews, Anderson; Bollan, Quino, Fernandez, Tosh, Hart; Wilson (Lowndes 30), Bingham (Brittain 81). Subs: McEwan, Makel, Santini.