CALLUM McGREGOR applauded the never-say-die spirit of his team-mates after another late, late show in Celtic’s tension-laden 2-1 win over Livingston at Parkhead last night.
It looked as though two points were about to evaporate in the east end of Glasgow as the champions were deadlocked at 1-1 with rock-bottom Livingston.
Robbie Muirhead had capitalised on some lazy defending from a lacklustre Reo Hatate to fire in a penalty-kick to cancel out Marcelo Saracchi’s opening strike in the 15th minute.
THUMB’S UP…Callum McGregor encourages his Celtic team-mates during the dramatic late win over Livingston at Parkhead.
The Hoops passed up a series of excellent goalscoring opportunities with Daizen Maeda and Tomas Cvancara the main culprits in a whirlwind spell following the kick-off.
Keeper Jerome Prior had made three stops before Saracchi walloped in a ferocious drive from the edge of the box to turn Martin O’Neill’s team’s superiority into something more tangible.
However, it looked as though the hosts had lost their way after the West Lothian side’s leveller in the 57th minute. The visitors packed their penalty box as they resolutely defended in their battle against the threat of relegation.
On Saturday, Celtic relied on an equaliser three seconds from the end of stoppage-time from new Bhoy Junior Adamu to throw them a Scottish Cup lifeline against Dundee.
Sebastian Tounekti then thumped in the winner to set up a quarter-final at Ibrox next month.
BY THE RIGHT…new Bhoy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain curls in the winner.
And the Tunisian international was involved in the points-clincher against Marvin Bartley’s side when he rolled the ball to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to guide a right-foot drive from 18 yards low past the sprawling Prior in the first minute of stoppage-time.
Relieved captain McGregor, speaking to Celtic TV, said: “A huge three points. Alex gets an unbelievable goal, big quality, but the team are fighting right to the end.
“We should be out of sight by half-time, to be honest, but it’s a good sign that we keep going and scoring so many late goals is just testament to the mentality of the group.
“We have to keep trying to be better, score early goals and take away that nervy ending, but it’s a positive sign the amount of late goals the team have scored.”
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