Scorching first-half secures Celtic win

FT Livingston 2 Celtic 4

Wounded champions Celtic took their latest European disappointment out on Livingston with a rampant first-half display at Almondvale this afternoon.

Celtic produced arguably their best 45 minutes in some time with Stilian Petrov, Henri Camara, John Hartson and Chris Sutton all hitting the back of the net.

The Parkhead injury jinx struck again by claiming on-loan striker Camara, young defender Stephen McManus and Stanislav Varga to take some of the sparkle off Celtic’s afternoon.

Burton O’Brien gave Allan Preston scant consolation with a delightful double for Livi but, on this performance, it was no surprise that the home side had failed to beat Celtic on 13 previous

Such was the visitors’ worrying predicament, with Petrov, Sutton and Pearson all being used in defence, that Hartson returned after five minutes of treatment.

The Welshman and Rubio were fortune not to leave the field in the 75th minute when the Livingston man pulled him down and Hartson stupidly retaliated with his elbow.

Preston made another change by throwing Derek Lilley on for Jim Hamilton in the 77th minute.

Wallace should have eased Celtic’s concerns when McKenzie deflected Hartson’s shot to the youngster but he blazed the follow-up high and wide.

Craig Easton was also given a yellow card for a foul on Lennon and the Northern Irishman and Lambert followed him into the book for reacting angrily.