So close as Lions give Celts a fright
Holt takes the positives from brave show
chance for a late leveller as youngster Carlo Pignatiello – on his Livi debut – missed a free header.
The defeat, coupled with Motherwell’s 3-0 victory over Aberdeen the following day, sent the Lions to the foot of the table. But boss Gary Holt is hoping his players can take the positives into their next fixtures – and bemoaned the official’s decision in the lead up to Christie’s goal.
The gaffer said: “There’s big disappointment that we didn’t get more. Celtic’s second goal was offside.
“You need decisions to go your way here, that’s the fine lines. We don’t play offside but the backline did their job.
“We had a great chance at the end through Carlo but he got into a great position so I give the kid great credit.
“We had Celtic rattled, that was the good thing from our point of view.”
He added: “We can’t play as well against Rangers and Celtic then not back it up next week.
“We need to carry it on and our next three or four games are vital. If we show the same hunger and endeavour, we’ll pick up points.”
Holt made three changes to the team that suffered defeat the previous week to Hamilton and elected for a change in formation to a 5-3-1-1.
Scott Tiffoney replaced Lars Lokotsch in the lone striker’s role while Ciaron Brown returned from injury at centre-back and Craig Sibbald was recalled. Scott Robinson and Alan Forrest dropped to the bench.
Livi couldn’t have asked for a better start as Tiffoney’s ball into the box struck the arm of Kris Ajer with whistler Gavin Duncan having no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Holt stepped up and slammed his penalty beyond Vasilis Barkas for his first goal for the club.
The Lions, though, were in front barely four minutes – and behind within seven as Celtic hit back in style.
Ajeti teed up McGregor on 20 minutes with the midfielder’s effort taking a deflection off Nicky Devlin before finding the net.
McGregor was key in the move for the second goal as his pass found Greg Taylor on the left with his cross turned home by Christie from close range.
Ajeti’s finish seven minutes into the second half put the hosts firmly in control.
The Swiss striker raced on to
Christie’s through ball before slotting past McCrorie for his fourth goal in five games.
Both Forrest brothers – Livi’s Alan and James for Celtic – were introduced on 74 minutes as the visitors would finish strongly.
Serrano’s wonder strike from distance made things interesting and Celtic boss Neil Lennon must have breathed a massive sigh of relief when Pignatiello nodded wide.
A spirited performance, even in defeat, that Livingston will need to build on.