December 28, 2024

Livingston 0 Celtic 3 as Greg Taylor century Bhoy, gap over Rangers restored – 3 things we learned

Greg Taylor #GregTaylor

Celtic have restored their four point gap over Rangers at the top of the league after victory over Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena © PA Wire Celtic have restored their four point gap over Rangers at the top of the league after victory over Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena

Celtic increased the gap over Rangers to four points once again after Kyogo Furuhashi, Greg Taylor and Jota netted at Livingston.

The Hoops’ fans favourite netted a stunner from Taylor’s nice pass with less than ten minutes on the clock before the full-back – on his 100th appearance – blasted home from range before Jota put the icing on the cake as Ange Postecoglou’s men overcame the tough task that the Tony Macaroni Arena offers all visiting teams. Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his troops battered Aberdeen 4-1 at Ibrox on Saturday afternoon to put the pressure on the champions going into their lunchtime showdown but they came up with all the answers in West Lothian.

Now it is the small task of facing Champions League holders Real Madrid in the Bernabeu midweek before domestic action takes centre stage once again next weekend with Dundee United making the trip to Parkhead. The trip to face the La Liga giants will offer the Hoops the chance to grab a first win at Europe’s top table this term and what a stage to do it. Here is three things we learned from Celtic’s win at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

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Century Bhoy

What a moment for the man of the moment Greg Taylor as he made his 100th appearance for the club.

The former Kilmarnock defender has established himself as a key part of Ange Postecoglou’s team and has been one of the standout performers this season.

He penned a new deal last season until 2025 as reward for his fine form and you wouldn’t be surprised if another comes his way in the future.

100 games and counting for the Scotland international who ended the match with a goal and an assist.

Jota returns

Jota is back after a spell on the sidelines.

The fans’ favourite started on the bench but played the final 11 minutes in a huge boost to the Hoops faithful.

He wasted no time in making an impact as he won a spot-kick that fellow sub Giorgios Giakoumakis missed before getting himself on the scoresheet.

His form was recognised with a spot in Portugal’s provisional 55-man World Cup squad and he will be hoping for a run of minutes before the shutdown and the chance to further impress.

A star man for Celtic and boss Ange Postecoglou.

Gap restored

It’s always a tough test on Livingston’s home patch and this one was no different.

Celtic grabbed the early goal thanks to Kyogo Furuhashi before Greg Taylor added a second with Jota adding a late third as the away side ran out 3-0 winners.

It restores the four point advantage over Rangers at the top of the Premiership while it is a tough test passed by the champions.

Overall, good afternoon for Ange Postecoglou and his troops.

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