Livingston 2-2 Celtic: Pressure builds on Neil Lennon as visitors held for third straight draw

Match Report as Celtic were held for a third straight draw in the Scottish Premiership; Neil Lennon's side now without a win in four matches; They are 20 points behind league leaders Rangers with two games in hand; Livingston stay fifth after second draw with Celtic in four days

Thursday 21 January 2021 09:27, UK

Celtic's difficult season continued as Livingston secured a 2-2 draw against Neil Lennon's side, who had substitute Scott Brown sent off late on at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Fresh from playing out a 0-0 draw against each other last Saturday, Livingston took an early lead against the champions through Ciaron Brown's header (15).

Celtic responded thanks to Mohamed Elyounoussi's stunning finish (28) before Nir Bitton (38) completed the turnaround for the visitors just before half-time.

In the second half, it was Livingston's turn to fight back and they levelled the scores through Jay Emmanuel-Thomas' strike on the hour mark before Scott Brown, who was only on the pitch for five minutes, was shown a straight red card with seven minutes remaining.

Livingston pushed for a winner, but Celtic, who have drawn three straight league games for the first time since December 2010, held on for a point as the pressure continues to build on boss Neil Lennon.

The draw leaves Celtic 20 points behind league leaders and Old Firm rivals Rangers with two games in hand. Meanwhile, Livingston, who stay fifth are now unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions ahead of their League Cup semi-final against St Mirren on Sunday.

Player ratings

Livingston: McCrorie (7), Fitzwater (7), Guthrie (7), Brown (8), McMillan (7), Lawson (6), Pitman (6), Serrano (7), Emmanuel-Thomas (8), Forrest (6), Hamilton (6).

Subs: Reilly (6), Kabia (6), Devlin (6), Robinson (n/a).

Celtic: Barkas (6), Taylor (7), Ajer (6), Bitton (7), Duffy (6), Soro (6), Christie (6), Elyounoussi (7), Turnbull (7), McGregor (7), Griffiths (6).

Subs: Klimala (5), Brown (3), Frimpong (n/a), Johnston (n/a).

Man of the match: Jay Emmanuel-Thomas

How Celtic's frustrations continued...

Despite being without a host of first-team regulars, Livingston took the lead in the 15th minute.

Shane Duffy carelessly barged over Jack Hamilton to hand the hosts a free-kick on the halfway line. Julien Serrano pumped the ball towards the penalty area and Celtic completely switched off, allowing Ciaron Brown to ghost in and head past Vasilis Barkas.

Team news

David Martindale obviously had one eye on Sunday's Betfred Cup semi-final with St Mirren as he made seven changes to the team which got a weekend point at Parkhead.
Neil Lennon was back in the dugout after he and 13 players were forced to isolate in the wake of the positive test Christopher Jullien returned following the trip to the UAE, while Vasilis Barkas, Kristoffer Ajer, Ryan Christie, Elyounoussi and Leigh Griffiths were also welcomed back from quarantine.

The hosts were well on top as Alan Forrest fired just wide moments later, but Celtic did spring into life and mount a recovery.

Elyounoussi met Leigh Griffiths' corner to volley a sublime finish off the underside of the bar for his 13th goal of the season.

And 10 minutes later they were in front. Jack Fitzwater was fooled into thinking Callum McGregor was going to get a shot away, but the midfielder instead slid the ball under his feet for Bitton, who picked out the top corner.

Replays showed that Bitton should have been flagged for offside as Celtic thought their luck was changing.

However, they were level again on the hour mark as Ciaron Brown whipped a low ball into the box for Emmanuel-Thomas to sweep home.

Celtic tried to muster a response as Griffiths curled just wide, while a brave Nicky Devlin block frustrated Greg Taylor as the snow hammered onto the playing surface at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

But Celtic's challenge was ended when substitute Scott Brown was dismissed by referee Willie Collum after his swinging arm caught Kabia only moments after being introduced.