This display, set against the backdrop of flares and pyrotechnics from the stands, sent a clear message of support. Celtic would score all their goals after the break in a 3-0 win, an own goal to kick things off then Paulo Bernardo’s second-half strike further cemented the victory, before Matt O’Riley got in on the act.

This win was especially significant as it means Celtic head to Ibrox next week top of the league, Rangers securing a 3-1 victory over Hibs the day before. The call to action from the supporters was unmistakable – they wanted their team to continue the fight for the Premiership title and that’s what they managed to do in the second half.

When the bhoys came out for the second half. 🔥🍀 pic.twitter.com/C7ObHZsnce

— Craig (@CraigCelt) March 31, 2024

The team’s recent performances have been buoyed by the return of key players from injuries, notably CCV and Reo Hatate, providing a significant lift. The presence of Celtic fans in three stands at Livingston, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a home game was a major plus. Next week at Ibrox, there will be zero Celtic fans in the building and the team must do it on their own.

With lyrics from the song “Freedom’s Sons,” the banner read: “Born into slavery, they were freedom’s sons.”

With today’s game taking place on Easter Sunday, a number of supporters have paid recognition to the Easter Rising in Ireland, which took place from April 24th to 29th, 1916.

With Celtic’s significant historic connection to Ireland, it’s clear to see why some felt the need to mark the occasion pre-match.

Celtic supporters have certainly been in fine voice in the first half, with the atmosphere heightened by the traveling support.

Livingston away historically marks an occasion for as many Celtic fans as possible to pack the Almondvale Stadium in West Lothian, and today has been no different so far.

In a stadium where Celtic have at times struggled over the years, they will need as much support as possible, and that is clearly what they are being given.

This match holds particular significance as Celtic aims to maintain their lead in the Premiership, facing a Livingston side that currently finds itself at the bottom of the league standings.

The presence of Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers on the sidelines remains uncertain due to a pending SFA hearing set for Thursday. Rodgers faces the possibility of a touchline ban following his critical remarks about officiating after Celtic’s match against Hearts.

TV Channel

For fans eager to catch the action live, Sky Sports will broadcast the match on their Sky Sports Football channel, with streaming options available via the Sky Go app. The match is scheduled for Easter Sunday, March 31st, with kick-off at 12pm.

Officials

Don Robertson has been appointed as the match official. Robertson’s selection is notable given his involvement in the Hearts game that led to Rodgers’ outspoken criticism, ensuring all eyes will be on the officiating team, which also includes Assistant Referees Graeme Stewart and Andy Milne, Fourth Official Euan Anderson, VAR Alan Muir, and AVAR Graeme Leslie.

Early Team News

Celtic could welcome the return of several key players from injury, with Callum McGregor, Liam Scales, Luis Palma, and Reo Hatate all potentially available for selection. Rodgers is expected to provide further updates on the squad’s status during the pre-match press conference on Friday, offering insights into team selection and readiness.

There are so many questions that will be answered before and after the Livingston came that will have a profound effect on the game at Ibrox.

With Celtic looking at Livingston, as fans we can take a look at the bigger picture and assess how the bhoys will look going into the Glasgow Derby in early April at Ibrox.

We’re looking at the best case scenario for the club in terms of squad going into the game against our fierce rivals.

Given what we know to this point, and we will no more by this time next week, what is Celtic’s tangible best case scenario starting XI for the derby?

Joe Hart in goals picks itself. A back line for out Johnston, CCV, Scales and Taylor is probably the strongest we can be at right now. CCV has been in and out of the team all season and after returning once again against St Johnstone before the international break, all eyes will be on the American to see if he can stay fit for the game. Otherwise Celtic are in a world of trouble.

Going into midfield, this is where it becomes very tricky. Knowing Reo Hatate has taken part in a bounce game, playing 45 minutes against St Mirren last week means a return should be just around the corner. We doubt the Japan star will play much or any of the Livingston game due to the surface, and then the questions becomes should Rodgers put him straight in against Rangers. If we want to play our best team possible then you would say, yes!

There’s also doubts over Callum McGregor’s injury and if the club can manage him until the end of the campaign. There’s no doubt if he’s fit enough he should be in the team.

That leaves Matt O’Riley as the third man in midfield. Going into the game weeks away with question marks over two of your best midfielders is hardly ideal, if one doesn’t make it you would expect Bernardo or Iwata to step in depending on who doesn’t pass a fitness test.

The top three will be very interesting, Celtic’s front three used to be nailed on last season. This term, not so much. Maeda will likely start so then it becomes who plays up front and on the right. Kuhn has been showing signs of life in the past few games that means he might just get the nod. We also have Yang back from suspension for that one, will he go back into the team quickly? Then there is Kyogo or Idah. For me, it has to be a front three of Maeda, Kyogo and Kuhn and we can go from there. We know there will be an argument for Palma if he is fit, but he’s also nursing an injury, he would displace Maeda from his usual position which I’m not a fan of.

We would have ample talent on the bench to come on and make an impact if we needed a jolt.

To recap, Celtic’s best case scenario for Ibrox in my humble opinion is. Joe Hart; Johnston, CCV, Scales, Taylor; McGrgeor, Hatate, O’Riley; Maeda, Kyogo, Kuhn.

There will be plenty of discussion and debate over this in the next two weeks. Who would be your ideal XI.

Chris Sutton, writing in his latest RecordSport column, is buzzing about the prospect of Brendan Rodgers having his top squad back in action.

This comes as we’re heading into a vital stretch in both the Scottish Premiership and the Scottish Cup. Reo Hatate’s return in a recent bounce game and Callum McGregor’s expected comeback are boosting the team’s spirits. Add to that Cameron Carter-Vickers reaching back to full fitness as well as Kyogo finding some much-needed consistency and it’s a heady cocktail for the Celtic supporters.

Meanwhile, over at Rangers, the injury woes are piling up. The Daily Record has highlighted Ridvan Yilmaz’s recent thigh injury, adding him to a list of seven key players [Abdallah Sima, Oscar Cortes, Ryan Jack, Kieran Dowell and Danilo] likely sidelined for the upcoming matches. Yilmaz, a stalwart in the team’s lineup, is a significant loss for Philippe Clement’s strategy, no doubt.

As the title race intensifies, the upcoming match at Ibrox is looking crucial. The Rangers squad faces Hibernian at home, and then it’s the much-anticipated derby against Celtic. For the Bhoys, victories in their next two games, considering their track record this season against Livingston and at Ibrox, could see them leading by at least four points before Rangers have a chance to narrow the gap. But we know it’s not as simple as that!

Natasha Flint was the star of the show, netting twice in the first half to set Celtic on the path to a crucial victory, despite Jane Ross’s late effort for Rangers adding suspense to the final fifteen minutes.

Flint’s clinical finishing was on full display, with her goals encapsulating her striking prowess and composure under pressure. These early strikes proved decisive, positioning Celtic as serious title contenders as the season approaches its climax.

The intensity of the rivalry spilled over in the second half, leading to a touchline melee sparked by Lucy Ashworth-Clifford’s late challenge, which saw Celtic boss Elena Sadiku receive a booking amid the fray.

This win not only signifies a crucial three points for Celtic but also injects momentum into their title challenge, setting up a nail-biting finish to the season.

As the race for the championship tightens, Celtic’s win over Rangers on such a significant day will be remembered as a pivotal moment in their quest for glory.

Celtic team news

Celtic face significant lineup considerations with key players Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, and Luis Palma sidelined due to injuries. However, the expected return of Cameron Carter-Vickers to the defence brings a much-needed boost. The Bhoys’ resilience and depth will be tested as they aim to navigate these absences and maintain their pursuit of the title.

Celtic’s historical dominance over St Johnstone is notable, with the Bhoys unbeaten in their last 28 encounters against the Saints across all competitions since a defeat in May 2016. This record of supremacy is only overshadowed by their streaks against Dundee and Motherwell, making Celtic the clear favourites.

However, the memory of a 0-0 draw against St Johnstone earlier this season serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football. St Johnstone’s performance in that match demonstrated their capability to hold their ground at Celtic Park, a feat they’ve managed to achieve twice in the same league campaign only once before, in the 2017-18 season.

The Bhoys’ recent 2-0 defeat to Heart of Midlothian raises concerns about their consistency, marking a rare moment of vulnerability.

St Johnstone, on the other hand, have found form away from home, securing two wins in their last four away league games. This improvement sets the stage for a potentially tricky fixture for Celtic.

Celtic Player to Watch

Adam Idah has emerged as a vital player for Celtic, with an impressive tally of five goals since his Scottish Premiership debut last month. His goal-scoring prowess will be crucial for Celtic. The Irishman gives the Hoops a different dynamic up front.

The game is sold out and Celtic fans are going along to hopefully see their team not only win, but perform.

Location: Celtic Park
Date: [16/03/24]
Time: 3:00 PM

The bhoys are looking to defend their trophy and a win against Livingston will book them a place at Hampden for the semi-final.

After Brendan Rodgers press conference on Friday and the pictures coming from Lennoxtown, there was no suggestion that CCV, Celtic’s best defender would be out for this game.

However, the team sheet is up and the American international is nowhere to be seen.

We now await Brendan’s explanation as to why our vice captain is out and fingers crossed it’s not long term.

Celtic are already without Callum McGregor and CCV not being in the mix makes many supporters nervous.

Kuhn comes back into the starting XI due to suspensions and injuries. Yang out after being sent off last week at Tynecastle and Palma picking up an injury during the week.

Adam Idah leads the line for Celtic and Kyogo stays on the bench.

Rodgers, usually more reserved, didn’t mince his words in a post-game vent. He expressed his frustration over decisions that went against his team, notably Yang Hyun-jun’s early red card for a high challenge on Alex Cochrane, and a contentious penalty awarded against Celtic for a handball by Tomoki Iwata.

He firmly believed these calls from the officials were detrimental to Celtic’s chances in the game, despite his team’s valiant effort to compete with only 10 players for the majority of the match.

The SFA’s compliance officer, Martin Black, is on the case, having reached out to Celtic to discuss Rodgers’ fiery comments. It’s still up in the air whether Rodgers will face any disciplinary action. [SunSport]

According to Rule No72 Article 96.1 of the Scottish FA, any criticism of match officials that suggests bias or incompetence can lead to serious consequences.

Rodgers might be looking at a suspension ranging from two to a whopping 20 matches, depending on how a disciplinary panel viewed his comments.

When asked if this was the worst officiating he’s witnessed in Scotland, Rodgers didn’t shy away from expressing his dismay, emphasising his attempts to usually respect decisions. However, he labeled the officiating as “incompetent,” which he sees as a worrying sign for Scottish football.

Celtic have today released their own statement and confirmed they have grave concerns over the use of VAR at Tynecastle, and also have appealed Yang’s red card.