2019-10-06 Livingston 2-0 Celtic, SP

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Review

Teams

Livingston

• 30Sarkic
• 2Devlin
• 27Guthrie
• 5LamieBooked at 89mins
• 21McMillan
• 6Bartley
• 7JacobsBooked at 90mins
• 16Crawford
• 11Lawless Substituted forOdoffinat 81'minutes

• · 9Dykes Substituted forMillerat 87'minutes
• · 17RobinsonBooked at 48mins Substituted forLawsonat 76'minutes

Substitutes

• 1Stewart
• 10Sibbald
• 14Odoffin
• 15Pepe
• 18Miller
• 20Souda
• 33Lawson

Goals

• Robinson (47' minutes),
• Dykes (73' minutes)

Celtic

• 67Forster
• 13Bauer
• 2JullienBooked at 89mins
• 35AjerBooked at 90mins
• 23Bolingoli-Mbombo Substituted forHayesat 73'minutes

• · 8Brown · Substituted forNtchamat 74'minutes
• · 42McGregor
• · 49Forrest Substituted forBayoat 54'minutes

• 17ChristieBooked at 26mins, Red 26 mins (straight red)
• 27Elyounoussi
• 22Edouard

Substitutes

• 1Gordon
• 6Bitton
• 10Bayo
• 11Sinclair
• 15Hayes
• 21Ntcham
• 33Elhamed

Referee: William Collum
Attendance: 8,196

Articles

• Match Report (see end of page below)

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• Match
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• Voting Thread
• Result Thread
• Winner –

Stats

Home TeamLivingstonAway TeamCeltic

Possession
Home47%
Away53%

Shots
Home10
Away12

Shots on Target
Home4
Away4

Corners
Home0
Away7

Fouls
Home19
Away11

Articles

Livingston 2 – 0 Celtic: Ten-man Celtic suffer first league defeat of the season
Lyndon Dykes celebrates having put his side 2-0 up. Picture: SNS
Lyndon Dykes celebrates having put his side 2-0 up. Picture: SNS
Alan Pattullo
Email
Published: 13:53 Sunday 06 October 2019

Much of the focus in the run-up to this encounter was trained on Livingston’s robust tactics, following comments from Steven Gerrard after a recent Betfred Cup tie here. The Rangers manager won’t be complaining about the Premiership’s ultimate awkward squad now.

Of course, after all the pre-match fuss about Livingston's strong-arm approach, it was Celtic whose hopes foundered after they were penalised for serious foul play. Ryan Christie is an early candidate for Scotland's player of the season but there was little honour and few mitigating factors for a studs-up challenge on his fellow No 17 Scott Robinson midway through the first-half.

It was, in that time-honoured phrase, admittedly out of character for him. Nevertheless, it was also worthy of a red card, duly whipped out by referee Willie Collum in double quick time. The only solace for Celtic is that Christie did not do himself any serious physical damage, as can happen with such out-of-control lunges. Robinson did feel the force of the impact and spent some time on the Astroturf receiving treatment.

The Livingston midfielder recovered to play a pivotal role in the game before eventually being substituted after 74 minutes, with the game having firmly lurched in his side's favour. Lyndon Dykes’ cushioned lob a minute earlier sent a minor tremor through Scottish football since it all but sealed a depleted and dejected Celtic’s fate. It also gave Livingston their first ever win over the Parkhead side. Robinson’s opening goal just two minutes into the second half was the shot of self-belief Livingston needed.

Not only is this Celtic’s first domestic defeat since 12 May, it is the first time they have failed to score a goal since that 2-0 reversal against Rangers – 22 games ago. They have not struck at this particular stadium in their last two visits and, like Rangers recently, found the going tough against a side who are arguably even better at what they do than last season.

What they do is not to everyone’s taste. This win takes Gary Holt's uncompromising side back into the top six after a worrying run of three successive league defeats. So they won’t care about the opinion of others. They never have.

Livingston took time to re-set themselves to the new task presented by the turn of events on 24 minutes. Playing against ten men is never easy, especially when the ten men of Celtic still easily eclipse the financial value of their eleven. Nothing was guaranteed by the uneven numbers.

Celtic could even count themselves fortunate not be reduced to nine men early in the second half when a Christopher Jullien elbow floored Dykes, his nemesis all afternoon. Livingston might also have lost a man following Keaghan Jacobs’ lunge on substitute Jonny Hayes in the dying moments, by which time the damage was done as far as Celtic were concerned. Jacobs received only a yellow card.

Some may argue Celtic had been brought down to Livingston’s level. They certainly had in a football sense – and that’s a compliment to the hosts. There was little in the contest when it was 11 v 11. Both teams had half-chances. Holt actually thought his side played better at this stage of the game.

The contest hinged on Christie's rash challenge, the consequences of which means Celtic are robbed of the player for at least one further match. More serious was what it meant for their prospects yesterday. Christie will long harbour regrets about contesting a 50-50 in the middle of the park with quite such recklessness.

Neil Lennon had no complaints about the red card. What he was upset about was Celtic’s response. They were too often slow to react to situations, most obviously when Livingston opened the scoring after an attack down the right. Steven Lawless’ cross found Robbie Crawford, who had time and space to slip an angled ball behind a static defence. Robinson was alive to it, his marker, Moritz Bauer, was not. The Livingston midfielder had been played well on side by Bauer and Kris Ajer, who had lost possession in midfield in the first place. He slammed a shot past Fraser Forster into the top corner.

Robinson had a chance to make it 2-0 after 64 minutes after good work from Marvin Bartley, who left Scott Brown for dead in the left-hand corner of the pitch. The Livingston skipper picked out Robinson, whose shot was saved by Forster’s outstretched leg.

Lennon, who had sent Vakoun Bayo on for James Forrest after the loss of the opening goal, made another change after 72 minutes, with Hayes on for Boli Bolingoli. Hayes had barely taken up position on the left when Livingston struck again.
A frustrated Neil Lennon as Celtic lost 2-0 to Livingston. Picture: SNS
'Not sure we deserved to lose': Neil Lennon reacts…

Ryan Christie is shown a red card by referee Willie Collum. Picture: SNS
'It's horrendous': Former Rangers man gives verdict…

Goalkeeper Matija Sarkic sent a free kick deep into Celtic territory. Dykes, whose hold-up play provided Livingston with a rewarding outlet all afternoon, ran into the space behind Jullien and hoisted a clever effort over Forster.

Dykes was guilty of wasting a similar chance in the 1-0 defeat earlier this month against Rangers, when his attempted lob landed on the roof of Allan McGregor’s goal. There was no mistake this time. Livingston, a newish club from a newish town, had finally made their mark against Celtic, nearly 25 years after their metamorphosis from Meadowbank Thistle.

BBC

By Stefan Bienkowski

BBC Sport Scotland

From the section Scottish Premiership

Highlights: Livingston 2-0 Celtic

Celtic suffered their first defeat of the Scottish Premiership season as Livingston earned their maiden win over the champions.

Second-half goals from Scott Robinson and Lyndon Dykes secured the victory against 10-man Celtic.

Ryan Christie was dismissed for the visitors midway through the first half for a foul on Robinson.

The result ended Livingston's run of four straight defeats and leaves them sixth in the table.

How it happened & reaction
'I won't whip players after defeat' – Lennon
How did you rate each player?

A Livingston masterplan

Celtic manager Neil Lennon stressed Livingston posed a "dangerous" threat before this game, and that was all too evident after just 13 minutes at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Nicky Devlin drilled a cross in from the right and found Jon Gurthrie, who narrowly steered the shot a foot wide of Fraser Forster's left post.

Just five minutes later, a moment of ingenuity from Steven Lawless had the Livingston forward turn a set-piece outside the visitors' box into a clever one-two to get a shot away, forcing Forster to dive to his left post to keep it out.

Celtic did show flashes of promise. Odsonne Edouard almost opened the scoring moments after Lawless' chance when Christopher Jullien played his compatriot through, allowing the forward to jink to the right of his marker and sting the gloves of Matija Sarkic in goal.

However, the boisterous and physical start to the game finally got the better of the guests when Christie's attempt to intercept the ball from Robinson was far too high and showed too much of his studs for referee Willie Collum's liking and a straight red card was produced.

All eyes were on Lennon's side after the restart to see how they would respond to a disappointing first half, but it was again Livingston who claimed the initiative.

Just two minutes into the half a Livingston attack down the right found Robbie Crawford in acres of space in front of the Celtic box, which allowed the midfielder to turn and simply flick a through ball past a startled Ajer and into the path of Robinson. The 27-year old took the ball in his stride and as his marker Moritz Bauer watched helplessly from 15 yards away as the Livi man steered the ball into the net.

A startled Celtic tried to rally. A long-range free-kick from Edouard in the 53rd minute and a close-range shot from Mohamed Elyounoussi forced saves from Sarkic.

Yet, with every Celtic attack came a Livingston counter attack. Shortly after Elyounoussi's attempt on goal came a Marvin Bartley dart inside the opposing box to lay off the ball for Robinson to fire at Forster's front post. And just four minutes after a half-chance in the box for Jullien from a Celtic corner came further anguish for Lennon's side.

It was a simple punt up the park that unlocked the visiting defence, with Dykes latching on to it and lobbing Forster.

The remaining 15 minutes were perhaps the most frustrating of Celtic's league season so far as the side disputed several calls from the referee, most notably Keaghan Jacobs' needlessly rash challenge on Jonny Hayes in stoppage time that could have easily been a red.

Yet, in truth, it was a match that had looked beyond Celtic from the first minute.
Celtic failed to score a single goal for the first time this season.
Celtic failed to score a single goal for the first time this season.
Man of the match – Marvin Bartley

BBC Scotland's Brian McLaughlin at the Tony Macaroni Arena

On a day when there were a team of heroes for Livingston there is a huge difficulty in picking just one man of the match. Lyndon Dykes scored the home side's second and never gave Christopher Julien or Kristoffer Ajer a minute's piece from start to finish and was ably assisted by fellow scorer Scott Robinson.

But it was in the midfield engine room where this game was won. Hibernian fans must be wondering how they could let Marvin Bartley go on a free in the summer, and along with Keaghan Jacobs and Robbie Crawford they gave Callum McGregor and Scott Brown an afternoon to forget.

However, Bartley was the ring master for Livingston and broke up the Celtic attack time after time, and was then quick to drive his team-mates forward at every opportunity and deservedly led them to a famous victory.

Match ends, Livingston 2, Celtic 0.

Full Time

Posted at 90'+6'
Second Half ends, Livingston 2, Celtic 0.
Posted at 90'+5' Attempt missed. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) header from the centre of the box misses to the left.

Booking Posted at 90'+5' Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.

Booking Posted at 90'+5' Keaghan Jacobs (Livingston) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 90'+5' Jonny Hayes (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 90'+5' Foul by Keaghan Jacobs (Livingston).
Posted at 90'+2' Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Nicky Devlin.
Posted at 90'+2' Attempt blocked. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Posted at 90' Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 90' Foul by Jon Guthrie (Livingston).

Booking Posted at 89' Christopher Jullien (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.

Booking Posted at 89' Ricki Lamie (Livingston) is shown the yellow card.
Posted at 88' Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 88' Foul by Ricki Lamie (Livingston).

Substitution Posted at 87' Substitution, Livingston. Lee Miller replaces Lyndon Dykes because of an injury.
Posted at 87' Foul by Vakoun Issouf Bayo (Celtic).
Posted at 87' Lyndon Dykes (Livingston) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 86' Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Marvin Bartley.
Posted at 84' Vakoun Issouf Bayo (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 84' Foul by Ricki Lamie (Livingston).
Posted at 82' Attempt missed. Jon Guthrie (Livingston) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.

Substitution Posted at 81' Substitution, Livingston. Hakeem Odoffin replaces Steven Lawless.
Posted at 79' Hand ball by Vakoun Issouf Bayo (Celtic).
Posted at 79' Olivier Ntcham (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 79' Foul by Keaghan Jacobs (Livingston).
Posted at 78' Foul by Moritz Bauer (Celtic).
Posted at 78' Steve Tevi Lawson (Livingston) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 76' Attempt missed. Vakoun Issouf Bayo (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right.

Substitution Posted at 76' Substitution, Livingston. Steve Tevi Lawson replaces Scott Robinson.
Posted at 75' Attempt missed. Olivier Ntcham (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.

Substitution Posted at 74' Substitution, Celtic. Olivier Ntcham replaces Scott Brown.

Goal! Posted at 73' Goal! Livingston 2, Celtic 0. Lyndon Dykes (Livingston) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Matija Sarkic following a set piece situation.

Substitution Posted at 73' Substitution, Celtic. Jonny Hayes replaces Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo.
Posted at 72' Ricki Lamie (Livingston) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 72' Foul by Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic).
Posted at 71' Foul by Christopher Jullien (Celtic).
Posted at 71' Lyndon Dykes (Livingston) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 70' Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jon Guthrie.
Posted at 69' Attempt blocked. Christopher Jullien (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Posted at 69' Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Nicky Devlin.
Posted at 68' Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Keaghan Jacobs.
Posted at 68' Hand ball by Scott Robinson (Livingston).
Posted at 67' Foul by Odsonne Edouard (Celtic).
Posted at 67' Jack McMillan (Livingston) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 64' Attempt saved. Scott Robinson (Livingston) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Posted at 60' Vakoun Issouf Bayo (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 60' Foul by Nicky Devlin (Livingston).
Posted at 60' Attempt saved. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 58' Christopher Jullien (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 58' Foul by Lyndon Dykes (Livingston).
Posted at 55' Attempt saved. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.

Substitution Posted at 54' Substitution, Celtic. Vakoun Issouf Bayo replaces James Forrest.
Posted at 54' Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 54' Foul by Keaghan Jacobs (Livingston).
Posted at 52' Foul by Christopher Jullien (Celtic).
Posted at 52' Marvin Bartley (Livingston) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Booking Posted at 48' Scott Robinson (Livingston) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.

Goal! Posted at 47' Goal! Livingston 1, Celtic 0. Scott Robinson (Livingston) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Robbie Crawford.
Posted at 46' Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 46' Foul by Ricki Lamie (Livingston).

Second Half Posted at Second Half begins Livingston 0, Celtic 0.

Half Time Posted at 45'+2' First Half ends, Livingston 0, Celtic 0.
Posted at 44' (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 44' Foul by Marvin Bartley (Livingston).
Posted at 40' Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 40' Foul by Robbie Crawford (Livingston).
Posted at 37' Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 37' Foul by Marvin Bartley (Livingston).
Posted at 36' Attempt missed. Nicky Devlin (Livingston) header from the centre of the box misses to the left.
Posted at 36' Foul by Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic).
Posted at 36' Steven Lawless (Livingston) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 34' Moritz Bauer (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 34' Foul by Steven Lawless (Livingston).
Posted at 34' Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jack McMillan.
Posted at 34' Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Posted at 31' Attempt saved. Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 31' Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 31' Foul by Jack McMillan (Livingston).
Posted at 28' Attempt missed. Lyndon Dykes (Livingston) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.

Dismissal Posted at 26' Ryan Christie (Celtic) is shown the red card.
Posted at 25' Scott Robinson (Livingston) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 25' Foul by Ryan Christie (Celtic).
Posted at 24' Moritz Bauer (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 24' Foul by Ricki Lamie (Livingston).
Posted at 20' Moritz Bauer (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 20' Foul by Scott Robinson (Livingston).
Posted at 20' Attempt missed. Christopher Jullien (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is too high following a corner.
Posted at 19' Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Matija Sarkic.
Posted at 19' Attempt saved. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 18' Attempt saved. Steven Lawless (Livingston) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Posted at 16' Hand ball by Christopher Jullien (Celtic).
Posted at 14' Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 14' Foul by Lyndon Dykes (Livingston).
Posted at 13' Attempt missed. Jon Guthrie (Livingston) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.
Posted at 8' Attempt missed. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Posted at 7' Attempt missed. Lyndon Dykes (Livingston) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Posted at 7' Attempt blocked. Scott Robinson (Livingston) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Posted at 4' Foul by Odsonne Edouard (Celtic).
Posted at 4' Marvin Bartley (Livingston) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 2' Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 2' Foul by Nicky Devlin (Livingston).

Kick Off Posted at First Half begins. Lineups are announced and players are warming up.