Hoops Take Aim in Lions Hunt
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


March 2024: Paolo Bernardo hit a superb strike in the 3-0 win the last time these sides met

Celtic Park, Glasgow
Saturday, 23 August 2025
15.00 BST

The Bhoys return to Premiership action this weekend, when they host Livingston at Celtic Park tomorrow afternoon.​

Just about everyone associated with the Club were left frustrated by the 0-0 draw with Kairat Almady in the first leg of the Champions League Play-Off in midweek, but that needs to be put to the side for the time being, with the Lions visit.

The apparent stand-off behind the scenes concerning the transfer activity (or lack thereof) has undoubtedly unsettled what appeared to be a pretty stable and secure position back in May. While it is unclear what exactly is going on, it is a situation that is seemingly being mirrored also with the women's team this summer, which would suggest, so far as recruitment is concerned, it is a wider Club matter.

And the support made their feelings known also from the stands on Wednesday, which will only serve to further raise that frustration and pile on more pressure.

That said, the manager, with the players that he does have currently at his disposal should have had enough to contend with Kairat, but for a lack of imagination and flexibiliity to alter approach when Plan A is not providing the cutting edge required.

Considering there is the small matter of a 7000 mile round trip to Kazakhstan (and even then virtually all the way to the border with China) next week followed straight after by the first Glasgpw derby of the season, the manager must ensure that the team does not take their eye off the ball with the visit of Livingston.

If there is one thing that Celtic can hang their hats on this season, it is that across the 4 games that have been played thus far, that only the one goal has been conceded, but there remain issues at the top end of the park, with just one goal having been scored by any of the forwards this season (Maeda in the 4-1 League Cup win v Falkirk),


Rodgers has plenty tp think about with this match, a trip to Kazakhstan & upcoming Glasgow derby

Livingston bounced back to the top flight at the first time of asking and so far have proved to be quite a different side from the one that was relegated in 2023/24.

Since their return, David Martindale's side have been able to consistently find their way to goal, having already netted 5 times in their first two League games, and 16 in total when including their League Cup campaign until that was ended by Hibernian, 2-0, last week.

Considering that Livi have proved to be a bit of a banana skin at times for Celtic, the recent trend suggests that this is something that was rectified in the past few years. However, considering what other fixtures are coming up, there can be no room for complacency if the Bhoys are to recapture the momentum ahead of what will be a very tough week, and maintain their perfect start in the League.

The form of Kieran Tierney since his return has been one of the real positives so far this season

Stats & Facts​

• The Hoops have won each of the past 8 consecutive meetings against Livingston.

• The Bhoys have never been defeated at home against the West Lothian club in any competition (P20 W17 D3 L0).

• Celtic have only conceded a single goal this season (in the League Cup) and will be looking for their 3rd straight League clean sheet.

• At this early stage of the season, only Hearts have scored more goals than Livingston (15), and are averaging more than 2 goals per game so far (all competitions).

Anthony Ralston is set to deputize for the injured Alistair Johnston

Team News

In addition to the Hoops being without the services of Jota (knee), Alistair Johnston will also be sidelined after the hamstring strain he picked in midweek, with Anthony Ralston the obvious replacement, while questions remain about the form of Adam Idah in attack and whether he retains his place in the starting XI.

Edit - It has subsequently been revealed that Alistair Johnston is expected to be unavailable for the next 3 months through the hanstring injury sustained in midweek.

As for the visitors, Adam Montgomery is ruled out as he is on loan from Celtic, while Aidan Denholm, Cameron Kerr and Danny Wilson are also all expected to miss the match through ongoing assorted injury issues.​

Referee: Kevin Clancy​

Now in his 15th season of officiating at the top tier of Scottish Football, the 41y.o. has taken charge of 230 Premiership matches. The last time he officiated a match involving Celtic was back in March, when Celtic defeated Hearts, 3-0.

Celtic's Overall Record
M:60 W:45 D:8 L:7

VAR: Steven McLean

Weather

The forecast for Glasgow is for cloud cover with sunny breaks, and it is expected temperature of 19°C at Kick-Off.



~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 40 W: 31 D: 7 L: 2​

Last 5 Meetings
W W W W W

~~~~ 2022/23 Form ~~~~​

Overall
D W W W ~ W W D W W

SPFL
W W ~ W D​