Livingston vs Celtic preview: Bhoys look to go top of Scottish Premiership with victory

Celtic can go top of the Scottish Premiership table against a Livingston side looking for a return to form this Sunday, live on Sky Sports Football from 11.30am.

Livingston had ridden high in the Scottish Premiership table as little as two games ago, but back-to-back defeats since then, including to 10-man Hamilton last weekend, have left them eighth in the table, albeit level with last season's runners-up Aberdeen.

Boss Gary Holt enjoyed a dream start to life at the club, embarking on an unbeaten run and beating Rangers at Almondvale and, despite their recent run of poor form, the ex-Nottingham Forest player is convinced they will be able to match the league champions this weekend.

He said: "This club has worked really hard to get to this level and earn the right to be hosting teams like Celtic in front of a full house and we need to go out there and embrace the fact that we're now at that level.

"Why would we suddenly get worried about it being against Celtic or the fact that it's live on TV? Let's embrace it, let's have a go and show what we can do."

Celtic's 2-1 win on Thursday night over Red Bull Leipzig, who are fourth in the Bundesliga, was described as their best win under Brendan Rodgers in some reports.

And the former Liverpool boss said he could see the logic in what has been a difficult season for the club, who have shaken off a slow start and could go top of the Scottish Premiership with a win this weekend.

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"I couldn't argue against that if you look at the level of the opponent and our performance against that," he said.

"People see pressure as negative, I said that the other day. This was a pressure game that we needed to win but you've seen the positivity in the team.

"What I was pleased with was the performance against a very good side, we played with no fear."

Opta facts

• Livingston have never beaten Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, losing each of their last 16 games against them in the competition since drawing 0-0 back in August 2001.
• Celtic have scored two or more goals in each of their last seven visits to Livingston in the Scottish Premiership (22 goals in total), keeping five clean sheets in their last six games against them on the road.
• Livingston have lost back to back league games without scoring, having previously gone eight games without defeat in the Scottish Premiership (W5 D3).
• Celtic have won each of their last five league games scoring four or more goals in their last four games (20 goals in total).
• Of players to have scored at least three league goals so far this campaign, Celtic's Odsonne Edouard has the best minutes per goal ratio (7 goals scored - one goal every 86 minutes).

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