Hugely significant- BBC pundit recognises massive weekend results

Craig Levein appreciated the value of a hugely significant win for Celtic today. 

Very few leagues are as predictable as the SPFL Premiership- for the fourth year running there are only two contenders although last season it would be a push to describe Celtic as contenders when the wheels started falling off from October onwards. 

Every round of fixtures it is almost a virtual head-to-head between the two major Glasgow clubs. At Ibrox yesterday some thought that Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side had landed an important marker through an 81st minute winner by substitute Kemar Roofe against Aberdeen. 

Today the ball was in Celtic’s court, Ange Posecoglou’s side arrived in Livingston today with 15 years of baggage since their last win in the new town. 

Livingston have been out of the top flight most of that time but with Brendan Rodgers, Neil Lennon and Postecoglou failing to pick up a win over the last four years the current boss had that baggage to deal with. 

And he did. Celtic were sharper, more direct and quicker in thought than in previous frustrating visits. 

On Radio Scotland Levein noted the enormity of the result: 

It’s a hugely significant win. Much has been made of Celtic’s record here and I think Ange has used that. Celtic deserved their win for sure 

After three SPFL matches in eight days Celtic aren’t back in league action for a fortnight. Their only midweek fixture will be post-split, giving the manager real time on the training ground. 

The recent matches against Dundee, Hibs and St Mirren were edgy but today at Livingston there was a sense of purpose about the performance that suggests this team know that they are now in the home stretch.