Livingston 1-3 Celtic: Visitors overcome nemesis to restore Scottish Premiership lead over Rangers

James Forrest put Celtic 3-0 ahead to all but end Livingston's hopes

Celtic convincingly overcame their nemesis Livingston to restore their three-point lead over Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

A Nicky Devlin own goal and James Forrest's fine finish made it 3-0.

And Andrew Shinnie's close-range reply could not deny Celtic a first win at Tony Macaroni Arena since 2007.

It was a thoroughly professional, clinical and deserved win for Ange Postecoglou's side in his 50th game in charge as they responded to reigning champions Rangers' win over Aberdeen on Saturday.

But Livingston will rue the corner decision that led to Celtic's opener and Ayo Odileye's header against the bar at 1-0 as they passed up a chance to reclaim fourth spot from Hibernian.

• Reaction & as it happened

With Livingston having taken 17 points since the winter break - a haul bettered only by Celtic - this was very much a game between the Premiership's two form sides.

It looked like Livingston might again spring a surprise as they went close to taking a sixth-minute lead, but Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart stretched out a big hand to parry clear when Obileye half-volleyed a corner from a difficult angle at the far post.

Celtic responded by dominating possession and took the lead following two minutes of controversy.

When Maeda's attempted cut-back inside the six-yard box struck Jack Fitzwater's trailing arm, the Livingston centre-half appeared to be unfortunate to concede a penalty kick.

Celtic captain Callum McGregor fired the spot-kick against the outside of a post, but the breakthrough was only momentarily prevented.

Anthony Ralston won a corner when the ball appeared to last come off the Celtic right-back's arm and, although Max Sryjek parried superbly from Carl Starfelt's header from Jota's delivery, Maeda was lurking at the back post to provide the vital touch.

It was Celtic's first goal in three meetings with Livingston this season - and it set them on their way to their first win over David Martindale's side.

Although Celtic were now in almost total control, Livingston ought to have gone in at the break level after Alan Forrest's in-swinging free-kick found Obileye unmarked 10 yards out. However, the defender sent his header crashing off the crossbar.

Livingston's dismay was doubled seconds after the break as Ralston's cross into the six-yard box deflected off Obileye's toe, on to fellow defender Devlin's chest, and over the line.

Alan Forrest's form had outshone that of brother James in recent weeks, but the Celtic winger not only kept his younger sibling quiet in their one-to-one exchanges but was the one on the scoresheet on this occasion, racing through to fire low past Stryjek to make it a 13th consecutive season with a top-flight goal.

Shinnie had scored Livingston's winner when Celtic visited in September, but by the time he stabbed home in a crowded goalmouth from a throw-in, the visitors were well on their way to stretching their unbeaten domestic run to 29 games.

Man of the match - Jota

Jota was not so prominent after the break, but the on-loan Benfica winger's clever, incisive runs put Livingston on the back foot from the off

What did we learn?

Given their record against Celtic and having only lost once in their previous nine home games, Livingston will no doubt be disappointed to not only have suffered defeat but conceded three goals in the process.

However, Martindale will stress that they still emerge from the weekend well placed to secure a top-six finish and qualify for European football.

The Livingston manager had suggested prior to kick-off that Postecoglou's side are now a different beast from the one that lost at Almondvale in September and so it proved against the only top-flight side he had yet to beat.

Celtic travelled to West Lothian having only won twice in their last five outings, but two of those were defeats by Bodo/Glimt in the Conference League, and the Australian's side once again showed that they will take some stopping as they look to win the title in his first season in charge.

What's next?

Livingston next visit Heart of Midlothian in the Premiership on 19 March (15:00 GMT), while Celtic visit Dundee United in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals on 14 March (19:45).