Holt misery as fine lines catch Lions
Gutted Gary Holt feels his Livingston side deserved to take something from Celtic Park.
The Lions lost 3-2 but Holt – whose team led through a Jason Holt penalty and put pressure on the champions when Julien Serrano scored late on – is convinced they should have taken at least a point.
And he was left to rue youngster Carlo Pignatiello’s injury-time miss from close range. Holt 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. He knows to get into those areas.
Neil Lennon shuffled his Celtic pack yet again yesterday.
But what didn’t alter was the outcome as the champions went back to where they usually are – at the top of the Premiership.
Whether the Hoops gaffer knows his best starting line- up yet is definitely up for debate.
Lennon made a trio of switches for the visit of Livingston, leaving out top boys Odsonne Edouard, James Forrest and Moi Elyounoussi.
He has done it for most of the season so far. From their win at Dundee United to Motherwell at home, it was three changes.
From there to Ross County away, it was four. From Dingwall to the midweek victory at St Mirren, another four. But while they’re winning, who can argue with it? With a vital Europa League qualifier in Riga on Thursday then Hibs at Celtic Park next weekend, Lennon gambled and it paid off.
After falling behind to a Jason Holt penalty, his side responded in their customary fashion.
Goals from Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie and Albian Ajeti put them in the driving seat before Jul ien Serrano’s stunner gave Livi late hope.
But Celtic were worthy of the three points and the victory justified Lennon’s team selection.
The manager went with a 3- 5-2, with Christie supporting Ajeti up top. That would have raised eyebrows among Celtic fans watching at home.
But from the moment Gary Holt’s men jolted them into action, the result was never in doubt.
Livi targeted the left side of Celtic’s defence, between Kris Ajer and Greg Taylor. Balls into that channel for livewire Scott Tiffoney to chase caused the Hoops problems.
Long diagonals for wing back Nicky Devlin to overpower Taylor in the air were giving the visitors second balls to get on to and build from.
So it was no surprise when they got their goal from that area.
After a Celtic penalty appeal had been turned down at the other end – Hoops players felt Ciaron Brown handled a Christie shot – Livi got a spot-kick of their own. Tiffoney got down that side and his cross struck
Ajer on the arm from the byeline. Ref Gavin Duncan had no hesitation and ex- Rangers man Holt buried the penalty past Vasilis Barkas.
That gave Holt’s side something to hold on to – but they let it slip from their grasp just four minutes later.
Celtic shifted up a gear. Ajer burst forward, fed Ajeti who laid it off to McGregor.
The Scotland midfielder – who was a stand-out all day – took aim from 20 yards and his shot took a nick off Devlin before f lying past Robby McCrorie in to the top corner.
Livingston barely had time to enjoy being in front and before they knew it they were behind.
McGregor was at the heart of the move again. His perfectly weighted pass found Taylor on the left and his fizzed cross was punched home by Christie from close range. It was the kind of reaction we’ve come to expect