Really accomplished- Chris Sutton on a big three points

Celtic restored their three point lead at the top of the SPFL with a 3-1 win over Livingston at the Toni Macaroni Arena. 

The build up to the match was dominated by stats about Celtic’s struggles away to Livi in the past but that mattered little as Ange Postecoglou’s side delivered the points that mattered. 

Really accomplished performance on the plastic from Celtic. Nir Bitton doesn’t get lots of praise but he was absolutely outstanding. Maeda worked tirelessly and got his reward with his goal. Jota was a real threat,excellent early on. Big three points?

— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) March 6, 2022

Celtic had a great opportunity to take an early lead but Callum McGregor struck the post with a penalty then headed high over the bar a few minutes later. 

The breakthrough came in the 17th minute when Daizen Maeda was on the spot to tap the ball into the net after Max Stryjek had pulled off a great save from a Carl Starfelt header. 

Within a minute of the restart Celtic’s lead was doubled when Nicky Devlin chested the ball into his own net. 

Celtic looked to be in easy street when James Forrest scored with a brilliant low shot in the 55th minute but within a minute Andrew Shinnie pulled a goal back for the home side. 

There were no further scares for the hoops who have five of their last eight matches at home with Ross County next up in the Premiership on March 19.