MILLER LAUDS LIVVY FOR STUBBORN RESISTANCE

LIVINGSTON boss Kenny Miller praised his players for refusing to buckle after Celtic accumulated a three-goal lead.

The player/manager admitted he feared the worst after his newly promoted team conceded what he called a ‘soft’ penalty early in the second half, but was heartened at how they dug in after Olivier Ntcham’s spot-kick hit the net.

The West Lothian side’s endeavour drew a reward in stoppage-time when substitute Scott Robinson knocked home a consolation for a respectable 3-1 scoreline.

‘It was hard work, everything we knew it would be,’ said Miller, who lasted nearly 78 minutes of the match. ‘But Celtic are really good. If you look at the way they play, their one-twos, touch, passing, movement in and around the box can kill teams.

‘But the boys stuck to the game-plan right to the end. You’ll see teams come here and they’ll go two or three nil down and just chuck it. Three can quickly become six.

‘But I thought the lads stuck to the task very well, fought to the end and left it all on the pitch.’

Aside from taking issue with referee Nick Walsh’s decision to penalise Declan Gallagher for his challenge on Callum McGregor, Miller admitted his team’s defending as Celtic countered to go 2-0 up through Odsonne Edouard was a disappointment.

‘The second goal was the biggest one,’ admitted the former Rangers striker. ‘We look at set-plays but the lads never quite got on the same page. We allowed a breakaway from our corner, which was particularly disappointing.

‘I’d said in the build-up that by 5pm today the lads would have been left in no doubt over what this league’s about and what the step up is.

‘That’s the best team we’re going to play, at their own home and when they are unfurling the flag.

‘It was a real test and we will have learned a lot. I certainly did. Everything I believed was in this team is in it. I’m really proud.’