THOSE of a green and white persuasion had already roared their approval at three Celtic goals but the emergence of Leigh Griffiths when the match was already done and dusted generated the kind of din that could have led to a noise abatement notice from Glasgow City Council.
The 29-year-old’s appearance as a 66th-minute substitute, his first outing since August, put a satisfying sheen on an ultimately comfortable meander to victory as Celtic inched ahead of old foes Rangers at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Goals from Odsonne Edouard, Scott Brown and James Forrest prior to Griffiths entering the fray continued the irresistible march of the treble Treble winners. Forrest’s completion of his brace in the last knockings simply gilded the lily.
READ MORE: Celtic 4 Livingston 0: How the Celtic players rated in rout of Livi
Since suffering their only domestic loss of the season to Livingston back in October, Celtic have won every league game and have beaten Lazio home and away in the European theatre. The reversal to Livi has been quite the kick up the you know what.
As for Livingston themselves? Well, the West Lothian outfit are probably wishing they never had the temerity to beat Celtic. Since that rousing 2-0 triumph, they’ve not won in the league. It’s a funny old game.
It didn’t take long for Celtic to flex their muscles in this tussle as the hosts probed with purpose. A week ago, Ryan Christie had scored a howitzer for Scotland over in Cyprus and there was an audible gasp of anticipation when he found himself in a similar shooting position here after just a couple of minutes.
Cue a beautifully executed drive into the top corner? Not quite. Christie could only muster an ugly slice that would have generated guffaws of derision at the Sandyhills Golf Club medal as his timorous effort actually bobbled out for a throw-in.
Not long after that, the sprightly Jeremie Frimpong jouked his way into menacing territory but his shot nestled comfortably in the clutches of Matija Sarkic. It was the first of a few interventions by the Livingston custodian.
It was only a temporary reprieve for the flustered Livingston rearguard, however, and on 15 minutes Celtic’s inevitable breakthrough arrived. Tom Rogic clipped a neat pass through, Ricki Lamie made a bit of a hash of trying to cut it out and Edouard darted in to the area, lured the keeper and finished with a tidy dink of classy aplomb.
The direction of traffic was now so one way, the flow of the match was just about appearing on the Radio Scotland travel updates. Saying that, Livingston did mount an intrepid venture forward on the half hour and Steven Lawless spun around and curled in an effort which Fraser Forster, grateful for the warm up, dropped down low to collect with ease.
READ MORE: As it happened: Celtic 4-0 Livingston | Odsonne Edouard, Scott Brown and James Forrest on target
Moments later, Livingston, organised and stubborn, were back on the offensive. A half clearance fell to Steve Lawson, who had time and space to size up a volley as the ball dropped to him from the air, but his swipe was miscued and it drifted harmlessly wide. At the other end, Edouard perhaps should have put the laces through a chance that presented itself to him but he went for a placed curler and Sarkic saved easily.
Opportunity continued to knock for the Frenchman and, on 39 minutes, Forrest’s delightfully incisive pass sent him clear but the clinical edge deserted Edouard again and Sarkic did well to block the effort. There was still time for Celtic to shoehorn another chance in before the half-time whistle.
The lively, industrious Frimpong embarked on another driving run but having teed-up Rogic, the Australian rifled his shot over the bar from 10 yards. It was another hands-on-the-heads moment of exasperation for the profligate hosts. Livingston could and probably should have been put to the sword by this point but as they trotted down the tunnel for the interval there must have been a growing sense of defiant confidence.
Celtic made an early change just minutes after the resumption with Greg Taylor coming on to replace Jonny Hayes. The former Kilmarnock man was quickly into his stride and, having been sent scampering into the box by Forrest, his poke rattled the post and flew across the face of the goal to safety. Would it be one of those afternoons for Celtic? Well, no as it turned out.
On 56 minutes, the Scottish champions finally doubled their advantage. The ball was moved across the edge of the area and when it was picked up by Brown his raking shot took a wicked deflection off John Guthrie and flew into the net. It was a sore one for the visitors and the hosts swiftly delivered another hefty dunt as a third went in on 64 minutes.
Frimpong’s powerful shot was blocked by the face of the luckless Sarkic and Forrest showed fine technique and composure to volley the loose ball into the net.
Griffiths, who replaced Edouard, almost got on the end of Frimpong’s cross but Forrest would make it four with a robust finish as Celtic signed off in style.
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