GIANTS HOLD THE KEY TO A HUGE SHOCK

BY GAVIN BERRY JOHN HARTSON insists Livingston can walk tall in the Premiership thanks to their three defensive giants.

The Welshman claims Declan Gallagher, Alan Lithgow and Craig Halkett are the Lions’ best hope of completing an Old Firm double tomorrow.

Livi shocked Rangers in September and Gary Holt’s men now host the Hoops in the league for the first time in over 12 years.

Ex-Celt Hartson played his part in Livi’s success story when he helped out former boss David Hopkin in his role as striker coach.

The 43-year-old was in the running to succeed Hopkin after he quit following the play-off success that sealed back-to-back promotions.

But Hartson stepped down from his coaching position after Kenny Miller landed the job with his time in the hotseat shortlived as Holt replaced the veteran striker.

Livingston hit the ground running back in the top flight but have suffered defeats in their last two games.

They now face their biggest test against the champions whom they’ve lost to in 19 of their 20 meetings after a 0-0 draw in their first ever clash.

But BT Sport analyst Hartson believes their defensive trio offer the best hope of a shock win.

He said: “The key for Livingston are the three centre-halves, Declan Gallagher, Alan Lithgow and Craig Halkett. They are monsters and bullies!

“If I’d taken the job I’d have gone in and said, ‘I want you three to run this dressing room.’

“They are men and they are strong. They have a competition of who can score the most goals, they are great from set-pieces for and against. They keep the ball out of their own net and attack the ball.

“Those three were the key to Livingston’s success. When they’re fit they run that dressing room and everyone listens to them. As a manager you want players like that.

“Celtic are on a great run domestically but Livingston have already beaten Rangers at home so they’ll be buoyed by that and feel they can beat Celtic.

“They will go in with nothing to lose. They’ve had a bit of a blip recently but will feel they can go toe-to-toe with Celtic.

“Everybody expects Celtic to win. It would be a huge upset if Livingston do but they’ve proved they can take on the big boys and will fancy it.”

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