Livingston vs Celtic. Scottish Premiership.
Tony Macaroni ArenaAttendance9,016.
Sunday 11 November 2018 15:00, UK
Celtic moved top of the Scottish Premiership for the first time this season despite being held to a 0-0 draw by a resolute Livingston on Sunday.
Brendan Rodgers' side have still only conceded six league goals this season - the fewest in the division - while Livi have only conceded one more, so it was always likely to be a cagey affair at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
The hosts, who move up to seventh with the point, were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men in the first half after Dolly Menga appeared to move his head into Ryan Christie, but referee Kevin Clancy did not spot the incident.
Celtic, who move above Hearts on goal difference, came closest to breaking the deadlock but the impressive Livingston goalkeeper Liam Kelly kept out Tom Rogic's fierce drive before Scott Sinclair dragged a glorious chance wide.
After Celtic's exertions in the Europa League against RB Leipzig in midweek, there was always the possibility of there being a reaction against Gary Holt's side, who were seeking a response following two league defeats.
Livi made a bright start, with Alan Lithgow's long throws causing problems in the Celtic defence as Mikael Lustig was forced into a desperate block to deny Keaghan Jacobs before Sinclair headed wide from James Forrest's cross.
Menga was then fortunate not to be sent off after he moved his head into Christie's face, but the Angola international survived with just a warning.
Kelly produced his first fine stop of the afternoon to deny Christie low to his right, with Scott Pittman blocking Rogic's rebound.
The closest Livi came to breaking the deadlock before the interval was through two headers from Declan Gallagher, which were routinely tipped over by Scott Bain.
Bain was forced into action to divert Gallagher's flick-on from another inviting Lithgow throw away from danger on the hour-mark, but it was Celtic who dominated the closing stages.
Kelly had to be at full stretch to tip Rogic's shot over after Livingston failed to clear Callum McGregor's corner with five minutes remaining and Sinclair then slashed his shot from Lustig's cross horribly wide from close range.
Gary Holt: "It's a good point. They're an exceptional side and we asked them to go toe to toe. We were aggressive and we didn't panic when they had possession.
"Our keeper has been excellent for us all season and he produced some great saves but we also caused problems for them at the other end."
Brendan Rodgers: "Menga moved his head into Ryan (Christie) and was very fortunate to stay on the pitch in terms of the modern rules.
"I thought it was a good game for a 0-0. We defended lots of long balls and throw-ins but we were just waiting for that one moment. Their keeper's made a couple of brilliant saves.
"They've given so much today and the point takes us top with a game in hand. Hopefully we can push on between now and Christmas."
Celtic had the better of the chances, but it was the inspired form of Kelly which helped Livingston keep a seventh league clean sheet of the season.
Kelly had to be quick to react to Christie's first-half shot before he preserved his side's point late on to deny Rogic with a sublime one-handed save.
Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd said: "I was with him at Rangers as a young kid, you could always see that the talent was there. Now he's getting the opportunity to play first-team football, and it looks as if he's thriving on that.
"His saves, distribution and confidence to come and get crosses are all excellent. He's developing into a top-class goalkeeper."
Livingston take on Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday, November 24. Celtic return to action following the international break by visiting Hamilton on the same day.
