Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Skipper Brown confident Celtic can regain lead
SKIPPER Scott Brown is confident there will be a positive reaction a f t e r Ce l t i c lost thei r lead to Ra ngers at the top of the Premiership yesterday.
Hoops attacker Ryan Christie saw red in the first half for a reckless challenge on Livingston’s Scott Robinson at the Tony Macaroni arena before the Livi midfielder fired his side ahead two minutes after the restart.
Striker Lyndon Dykes doubled that lead in the 73rd minute for the Lions’ first-ever win over the champions who lost their first league match of the season.
Rangers’ 5-0 home win over Hamilton later in the day took them two points clear of their Old Firm rivals after eight games and going into the international break.
Brown said: “It’s disappointing, especially going into the international break when you have a couple of weeks until your next game. But sometimes it’s good for you as well. We’ve lost the lead during the season before and we’ve managed to bounce back.
“This team has that grit and willingness to win games we probably shouldn’t. It wasn’t our day, we didn’t perform as well.
“However, it’s a long season and we know we can do better.”
Livi boss Gary Holt insists Dykes, born and raised in Australia – with Scottish parents – could step up the international stage with Scotland.
Holt said: “He has shown his qualities and doesn’t care who he is playing against, he could be playing with his pals or live on television, it doesn’t matter.
“I told him to keep working hard and you will get your opportunity.”