Celtic made heavy weather of their Scottish Cup quarter-final win over Livingston.
The 4-2 scoreline barely reflected the 90 plus minutes as the holders struggled against the side detached at the bottom of the SPFL Premiership.
With 85 minutes gone the match was tied at 2-2 but a low cross from Tomoki Iwata was anticipated by Daizen Maeda who completed his hat-trick to put Celtic in front for the third time.
There was no way back for Livingston this time, in the last action of the game substitute Kyogo Furuhashi added a fourth goal but there was little for the home fans to be pleased with as they contemplate tonight’s semi-final draw.
Without Cameron Carter-Vickers and Callum McGregor there is a lack of leadership and purpose in the Celtic side, with both players suffering muscle related injuries they could miss out again on Saturday when St Johnstone visit on SPFL duty.
Although it is four weeks away the countdown is underway towards the next Glasgow Derby, as things stand it will require a major improvement of Celtic are to take something from that match to stay in contention for a third successive SPFL title.
On the cotraray Ed. It is all right to be in the semi-final, you know!
And Daizen scoring a hat-trick is not something to get down about.
And if we lack leadership, then it is up to the Bhoys with the jerseys to find some!
The tarts drew the Huns in their semi – final also, so more good news!
Four weeeks is long enough to plan the downfall of a team that has cheated their way all through their season – to get to where they are now!
Next game is the most important, you know?!