Prior to the game, Livingston manager David Martindale explained he was simply "mixing it up", giving first choice goalkeeper George Shamal a rest before games against St Johnstone and Motherwell.
Jack Hamilton performed admirably at Celtic Park, making two excellent saves after it went to 2-0, so Martindale may have to think long and hard about bringing George straight back in.
Image source, SNSWith the Green Brigade returning to their corner of the stadium, the atmosphere at Celtic Park was much improved but there were a few grumbles from the home crowd at half-time.
The champions were finding it tough to find space against well-organised and spirited opponents and when they did, Kyogo had a rushed effort cleared by James Penrice and Maeda poked a tentative shot straight at Hamilton.
Livingston were putting bodies on the line with laudable commitment but found themselves behind 28 seconds into the second half and when Scales made it 2-0 five minutes later the result was beyond doubt.
The visitors made no attempt to chase the game, continuing to sit deep and limit the damage, with massive matches against St Johnstone and Motherwell to come.
With the shots tally 22-0 in their favour, Celtic really should have added to their lead. But the returning Maeda did not provide the same threat as fellow winger Palma and the auditions for a Reo Hatate replacement continue without much success, with Paulo Bernardo rather anonymous.
Kyogo was involved much more than he has been of late and his goal, along with Luis Palma's continuing improvement, will probably please boss Brendan Rodgers most.
Celtic winger Daizen Maeda makes his first start since early November after his return as a substitute in last weekend's shock home loss to Hearts.
Paolo Bernardo is in midfield as David Turnbull and Mikey Johnston drop to the bench.
Livingston make a change between the sticks as Jack Hamilton takes the gloves from Shamal George.
Defenders Tom Parkes and Luiyi de Lucas return, along with forward Bruce Anderson, in place of Michael Devlin, Michael Nottingham and Kurtis Guthrie.
Image source, BBC SportCeltic: Hart, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, O'Riley, Bernardo, Palma, Kyogo, Maeda.
Substitutes: Bain, Yang, Turnbull, Oh, Kwon, Forrest, Ralston, Welsh, M Johnston.
Livingston: Hamilton, Parkes, Obileye, De Lucas, Brandon, Holt, Pittman, Penrice, Shinnie, Anderson, Nouble
Substitutes: George, Montano, Kelly, Welch-Hayes, Bradley, Nottingham, Guthrie, Ledingham, Lawal.
Image source, BBC SportCeltic hope to have Yang Hyun-Jun back from a shoulder injury but Odin Thiago Holm only returned to training on Friday following illness and is unlikely to feature. Liel Abada (thigh) and Reo Hatate (hamstring) are still not back in full training.
Livingston will be without captain Michael Devlin through suspension but manager David Martindale hopes to have everyone else fit and available.
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSAndrew Shinnie admits Livingston are expecting Celtic to “come flying out the traps” after back-to-back defeats.
Despite a poor start to Livi’s league campaign, 34-year-old midfielder is still confident they can turn their season around.
“It’s not always a good thing [to be playing a wounded animal] but either way they’re going to have to react to what’s been a couple of disappointing results for them,” said Shinnie.
“We’re expecting them to try to come flying out the traps after the last couple of games so it will be a tough one.
“At this minute in time, when you look at the fixtures they’re all hard because we’re not winning games.
“But Pittodrie is a tough place to go and we acquitted ourselves well on Wednesday. Celtic Park’s always tough and not many teams win there.
“But we’ve been there before and got points so there’s no defeatist attitude here. We’ll go there with a game plan and they’re off the back of a couple of bad results so if it’s a bit tense there we’ll look to capitalise on that.
“I never ever sense that there’s a lack of confidence here, we’re obviously not 100 per cent confident at the moment because of where we are but I never look around and think ‘we’re feeling really down here’.
“In the few years while I’ve been here, it’s mostly been positive, we’ve always done well and been competitive. This is the first really poor run we’ve been on so it’s up to us to stay positive.
“The last few games we’ve been performing better but ultimately we’ve not got the results. A couple of good results can change the season around. The next few weeks will be a big period so hopefully we can get a few results and kick on.”
Image source, SNSLivingston manager David Martindale believes Celtic's recent stutter is positive for Scottish football, even if it does make his job harder when the sides meet on Saturday. (Sun), external
Livingston travel to Celtic on Saturday and David Martindale's side are looking to avoid making it 10 games in a row without a win in challenging conditions.
What changes would you make to the squad that lost 2-1 against Aberdeen on Wednesday? Pick your starting XI here.
Image source, SNSBrian McLauchlin, BBC Sport Scotland
Livingston boss David Martindale says the club at the moment is not structured in a way that would attract an investment similar to the one from LA Knights owner Bill Foley with Hibernian.
Martindale says the ongoing disputes that have gone to court regarding the ownership of Livingston has hampered potential interest in the club.
“I think there has been a severe lack of investment in the football club in the last three or four years and it’s coming back to haunt us," said Martindale.
"I think we have more court cases than points at this case in time. It’s not an ideal situation.
“It’s not unique to me. I can’t go and ask for £150,000 to bring three players in. Other clubs may have wealthy individuals or a PLC board and have ways of generating new income.
“I’ve sat with numerous agents within the English game and we have been trying to bring new investment in. I think for a club our size it’s the way forward.
“But I caveat that with what are our assets? We don’t even own our own stadium. There is ongoing litigation about the ownership structure at the club so no one is going to come anywhere near this club.
“We have been trying to drive investment for the last 18 months. It’s just interdict after interdict so I don’t think we have got the off-field structure at present to attract that investment.
“I’ve always said if it is out there then just bring it to the table. For a club our size it’s 1,000 fans and it’s not really going to grow either way if we are honest."
Brian McLauchlin, BBC Sport Scotland
Livingston manager David Martindale has been speaking to the media before his side's trip to face Celtic on Saturday.
Here are the key points:
Martindale is "baffled" by players at the club who seem happy to take wages without featuring in the team, saying they "need to move on".
His budget is the "lowest it's ever been in the Premiership", making it difficult to bring in the four top-flight level players he wants in January.
Keeping Livingston in the division would be his "best sporting achievement" taking into account top-six finishes and cup finals.
Driving investment is tough due to the "off-field structure", size of fanbase and litigation.
He expects Celtic will "have a point to prove" after their defeat to Hearts last week, a result that makes Livi's challenge "more difficult".
Mikey Devlin's suspension is the only team news of note, but Martindale admits he may have rested the defender anyway with "massive" games to come.
Image source, SNS
Celtic have never lost at home to Livingston in 19 meetings in all competitions (W16 D3); only against Dumbarton (26) and Stirling Albion (21) have the Hoops played more home games across major competitions without ever losing.
Livingston have won none and lost 16 of their last 18 away league games against reigning top-flight champions, only avoiding defeat via 0-0 draws with Celtic in April 2019 and January 2021.
Celtic’s 52-match unbeaten run at home in the Scottish Premiership came to an end last time out against Hearts (2-0), while they haven’t lost consecutive home league matches since May 2004.
Livingston have lost each of their last five away matches when up against the reigning Scottish champions, losing to Celtic three times and Rangers twice during this run.
Celtic’s Matt O’Riley the joint top scorer in the Premiership this season with nine goals (in 17 appearances), which is two more than he managed in his previous two campaigns combined (seven goals in 54 appearances).
Image source, SNSTyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland at Pittodrie
Livingston captain Mikey Devlin insists it's not yet time to hit the panic button despite his side losing their ninth consecutive league game.
David Martindale's team did score for their first goal since October on Wednesday night, but two goals from Bojan Miovski consigned them to defeat to Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Devlin said: "It is not a time to panic, there is an awareness we are not doing well enough ultimately but it is not time to panic.
"I think the last three performances, our process in the build up to the game and how we have played and how we have approached the game, there has not been a lot wrong and we are not quite getting the outcome that we want just now, but we need continuity in levels of performances and with that I believe the outcome will come.
"You have to constantly believe. When you are on a run of results like this confidence takes a hit, and the self belief within the team as a group.
"Ultimately, we believe that there is more than enough in that changing room and through the right performances, and the performance levels being where they need to be, we believe we can get the results."
Livingston have failed to win in their last nine games in the Scottish Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 20 March 2021 to 11 September 2021, a run of 11 games.
Livingston lost after scoring the opening goal in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since 4 March 2023 against Hibernian (seven games without defeat).
Kurtis Guthrie attempted four shots in this game, the joint-highest total for a Livingston player in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Post-Game Insight Aberdeen 2 - 1 Livingston
James Penrice has assisted two goals this season (one in this game), more than any other Livingston player in the Scottish Premiership.
Image source, SNS
Image source, .Were you at Pittodrie on Wednesday or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game – have your say here.
Livingston manager David Martindale: "The top end of the park was the difference, if I'm being brutally honest.
"We've got to get better for the two goals, we give Bojan Miovski too much room in the box. But I've got to caveat that with he's one of the best strikers in the league. I think he's class.
"We created some good chances, we got behind them on a number of occasions. Wee Brucey has the best chance of the game. He's clean through and doesn't hit the target.
"Really that's the story of the game."
Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland at Pittodrie
There was a lot to like about Livingston's performance.
They were organised and dogged, qualities that will get you so far.
But it is capitalising on the big moments that wins you games, and Bruce Anderson’s failure to convert when he was in on goal is a case in point.
That sums up life at the bottom of the table, but it is something that is going to have to change if David Martindale’s side are to get themselves out of trouble.
Image source, SNSJames Penrice had more touches than any Livingston player and created more chances too with his excellent crossing. One of those was to supply Kurtis Guthrie for the goal.
Sean Kelly has not recovered from a knock in the goalless draw with Kilmarnock, so Jamie Brandon comes into the Livingston XI for tonight's match away to Aberdeen.
Brandon will slot in as a wing-back, with Joel Nouble pushing up front.
Image source, BBC Sport
