Digressive Celts

Matches › 2025/26

Livingston 2–4 Celtic

Saturday 27 December 2025, 15:00 · Home of the Set Fare Arena · Round 19 · Half-time 2–4 · Referee Matthew McDermid · Attendance 8,861

Livingston Montano 3', 8'

Celtic Nygren 6', 31', Yang 10', Engels 40' (pen)

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

LivingstonCeltic
Goals24
xG1.093.83
Non-penalty xG1.093.04
Expected Points0.122.82

Livingston 2%Draw 6%Celtic 92%

Most likely score 1–4, 12%. Final score 2–4, 7%.

Celtic goalsLivingston goals0123456+0123456+3%6%3%4%7%3%2%6%7%4%2%2%2%1%9%10%11%12%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

012340153045607590HTBokila on for Smith, 46'Muirhead on for Yengi, 68'Susoho on for May, 74'Brenet on for Montano and Lawal on for Tait, 78'Donovan on for Yang and Hatate on for Nygren, 71'Bernardo on for Kenny, 82'Montano 3'Montano 8'Nygren 6'Yang 10'Nygren 31'Engels 40' (pen)Celtic 3.83Livingston 1.09012340153045607590HTBokila on for Smith, 46'Muirhead on for Yengi, 68'Susoho on for May, 74'Brenet on for Montano and Lawal on for Tait, 78'Donovan on for Yang and Hatate on for Nygren, 71'Bernardo on for Kenny, 82'Montano 3'Montano 8'Nygren 6'Yang 10'Nygren 31'Engels 40' (pen)3.831.09LivingstonCeltic

Each side's xG added up shot by shot through the match. Stoppage time is shaded as far as the last shot or event recorded in it. Triangles along the foot mark each side's substitutions.

Match stats

LivingstonCeltic

1.09 +0.04xG3.83 +1.55
1.09Non-penalty xG3.04
1.11 +0.05xG on target3.38 +1.35
14 +4.4Shots18 +0.6
3 −0.4Shots on target7 +1.6
1 −0.4Big chances5 +1.0
25 +6Touches in the opposition box35 −2
34% −12Possession66% −5
298 −75Passes642 −18
70% −4Pass accuracy88% 0
24% −19Field tilt76% −3
26 −8Final-third entries61 −10
6 −2.4Box entries21 −1.4
19.1 +6.2Passes per defensive action15.5 +6.5
11 +6.5Corners4 −3.1
12 −6Tackles13 −1
10 +1.7Interceptions6 −1.2
17 −18Clearances44 +18
3 +0.5Saves1 −1.1
14 −2Fouls6 −6
3 +1.6Offsides1 −0.8

The small figure beside each value is its difference from the side's average per league match this season before this one. Field tilt is each side's share of the open-play passes completed in the final third; entries are completed open-play passes and carries into the final third and the box; passes per defensive action (PPDA) counts the opponent's passes in its own 60% of the pitch for each tackle, interception, challenge, or foul there.

Chance locations

Livingston

Bokila 67', 0.22 xGPittman 25', 0.12 xGMontano 45', 0.11 xGMontano 70', 0.09 xGSmith 45', 0.08 xGMontano 47', 0.06 xGMuirhead 89', 0.06 xGMontano 45+1', 0.05 xGYengi 65', 0.05 xGYengi 17', 0.04 xGSylla 59', 0.04 xGTait 64', 0.02 xGMontano 8', 0.08 xG, goalMontano 3', 0.07 xG, goal0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals80%0.88 xGCentral box: 9 shots, 0.88 xG, 2 goals0%0.00 xGWide in the box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals20%0.22 xGEdge of the box: 5 shots, 0.22 xG, 0 goals0%0.00 xGFurther out: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals

Celtic

Maeda 20', 0.33 xGMcCowan 42', 0.13 xGMaeda 6', 0.12 xGMcCowan 80', 0.12 xGKenny 1', 0.11 xGYang 19', 0.11 xGYang 28', 0.09 xGMcCowan 64', 0.06 xGMcGregor 2', 0.05 xGNygren 17', 0.05 xGHatate 77', 0.05 xGMcCowan 56', 0.04 xGMcGregor 48', 0.03 xGTierney 24', 0.02 xGYang 10', 0.88 xG, goalNygren 6', 0.85 xG, goalNygren 31', 0.04 xG, goal56%1.72 xGSix-yard box: 2 shots, 1.72 xG, 2 goals35%1.06 xGCentral box: 8 shots, 1.06 xG, 0 goals3%0.09 xGWide in the box: 2 shots, 0.09 xG, 1 goal5%0.16 xGEdge of the box: 4 shots, 0.16 xG, 0 goals1%0.02 xGFurther out: 1 shot, 0.02 xG, 0 goals

Each area's share of the side's xG from open play and set pieces, with the xG in it. The two wide areas of the box count together, as on the club pages. Shots shows each of those shots instead, sized by its xG, with goals filled in.

Chance types

LivingstonCeltic

0.55 5 shots, 2 goalsOpen play1.66 13 shots, 2 goals
0.10 2 shots, 0 goalsCounter-attacks0.33 1 shot, 0 goals
0.44 7 shots, 0 goalsSet pieces1.06 3 shots, 1 goal
0.00 0 shots, 0 goalsPenalties0.79 1 shot, 1 goal

xG by type of chance, with each side's shots and goals beside it.

Game state

Level
26 min (29%) · Livingston 0.32, Celtic 0.91 xG
Livingston ahead
5 min (5%) · Livingston 0.00, Celtic 1.72 xG
Celtic ahead
60 min (66%) · Livingston 0.77, Celtic 1.20 xG

Line-ups

28195272682425153917PriorFinlaysonMcGowanWilsonMontanoPittmanSyllaTaitSmithYengiMayGoalGoal78'78'46'68'74'Livingston 4-3-3David Martindale12566631327421483824SinisaloRalstonTrustyTierneyYangEngelsMcGregorMcCowanNygrenMaedaKennyGoalGoalGoalGoal71'71'82'Celtic 3-4-2-1Wilfried Nancy

Livingston substitutes

  • 46' Bokila for Smith
  • 68' Muirhead for Yengi
  • 74' Susoho for May · yellow card 81'
  • 78' Brenet for Montano
  • 78' Lawal for Tait

Celtic substitutes

  • 71' Donovan for Yang
  • 71' Hatate for Nygren
  • 82' Bernardo for Kenny

Players

Livingston

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
PriorGK900.000.0000.0671
FinlaysonRB900.000.0710.1175
McGowanCB900.000.0000.0119
WilsonCB900.000.0300.1366
MontanoLB7820.470.0210.0376
PittmanCM9010.120.0510.0514
SyllaCM900.040.0000.0017
TaitCM780.020.0100.0021
SmithRW460.080.0000.0110
YengiST680.090.0200.0202
MayLW740.000.2830.1861
BokilaFW440.220.0120.0210
MuirheadFW220.060.0000.0000
Susoho MF160.000.000−0.0100
BrenetDF120.000.0000.0000
LawalDF120.000.0000.0000

Celtic

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
SinisaloGK900.000.0000.0113
RalstonCB900.000.0400.131012
TrustyCB900.000.0100.12720
TierneyCB9010.020.1010.322011
YangRWB7111.080.0200.0756
EngelsCM9010.790.1410.0461
McGregorCM900.070.0310.0131
McCowanLWB900.340.3530.38104
NygrenAM7120.930.122−0.0521
MaedaAM9010.440.1530.2062
KennyST8210.110.0620.0506
DonovanDF190.000.0200.0111
HatateMF190.050.071−0.0320
BernardoMF80.000.0200.0211

Starters, then substitutes in the order they came on. KP is chances created and Def defensive actions (tackles, blocks, clearances, and interceptions). xT is the expected threat added by the player's completed open-play passes and carries, and Prog counts progressive passes and carries.

Pass networks

Livingston

Prior and Wilson: 3 passesFinlayson and Yengi: 3 passesWilson and Montano: 3 passesSylla and May: 3 passesPrior and Finlayson: 4 passesFinlayson and Tait: 5 passesWilson and Yengi: 5 passesMontano and Sylla: 5 passesMontano and May: 6 passesPrior and McGowan: 8 passesFinlayson and Smith: 9 passesPrior: 10 completed passesFinlayson: 14 completed passesMcGowan: 12 completed passesWilson: 7 completed passesMontano: 7 completed passesSylla: 8 completed passesTait: 7 completed passesPittman: 2 completed passesSmith: 5 completed passesYengi: 6 completed passesMay: 9 completed passes28195272624258153917PriorFinlaysonMcGowanWilsonMontanoSyllaTaitPittmanSmithYengiMayStarters until 46' · lines join pairs with 3+ passes

Celtic

Sinisalo and Tierney: 6 passesYang and McCowan: 6 passesMcGregor and Nygren: 6 passesMcCowan and Engels: 7 passesMaeda and Kenny: 7 passesTrusty and McGregor: 8 passesMcCowan and Maeda: 8 passesTrusty and Nygren: 9 passesYang and Engels: 9 passesMcCowan and Nygren: 9 passesEngels and McGregor: 9 passesYang and Nygren: 12 passesMcCowan and McGregor: 12 passesRalston and McGregor: 13 passesRalston and Engels: 14 passesTierney and Nygren: 14 passesRalston and Yang: 17 passesSinisalo and Ralston: 19 passesTierney and McGregor: 22 passesSinisalo and Trusty: 24 passesTierney and Maeda: 24 passesTierney and McCowan: 28 passesTrusty and Ralston: 30 passesTrusty and Tierney: 49 passesSinisalo: 33 completed passesTrusty: 70 completed passesRalston: 53 completed passesTierney: 79 completed passesYang: 22 completed passesMcCowan: 34 completed passesEngels: 32 completed passesMcGregor: 43 completed passesMaeda: 22 completed passesNygren: 32 completed passesKenny: 11 completed passes12656631314274238824SinisaloTrustyRalstonTierneyYangMcCowanEngelsMcGregorMaedaNygrenKennyStarters until 71' · lines join pairs with 6+ passes

Each starter at the average position of their passes and receptions until the side's first substitution or red card, sized by completed passes. Lines join pairs who passed to each other often, thicker for more passes.

Passing combinations

Livingston

FromToPasses
McGowanPrior15
PriorWilson9
PriorFinlayson7
WilsonPrior7
FinlaysonSmith6

Celtic

FromToPasses
TrustyTierney39
SinisaloTrusty25
TrustyRalston22
TierneyMcCowan21
TierneyTrusty21

The five pairs with the most completed passes from one to the other over the whole match.

Defensive actions

Livingston

5−0.77+0.219+2.24−3.31−4.55−2.67−1.26−1.34−4.54−0.810+5.55+1.56−0.22−4.55+1.37+2.71−1.84−0.12−2.34+1.63+1.40−1.54+2.10−3.01−0.41+0.71+0.22+1.50−1.40−8.7FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 17 matches

Celtic

2−0.66+1.925+13.79+3.64−0.15−0.76+0.75−0.613+4.77−0.53−1.56+2.03−0.16+0.48+2.64−0.20−3.82−1.54+0.64−0.91−1.02−0.21−0.51−2.81−1.90−1.00−0.51+0.31+0.80−1.0FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 17 matches

Where each side made its tackles, interceptions, clearances, blocks, recoveries, challenges, and fouls, attacking up the page. Areas are shaded by the difference from the side's average per match this season before this one: amber for more, blue for fewer.

Threat

Livingston

0.010.050.010.010.010.010.010.010.050.020.040.010.030.01−0.010.010.01−0.020.040.03−0.060.100.100.14LessMore

Celtic

0.010.010.010.010.010.010.050.040.020.040.050.040.040.070.010.150.100.02−0.060.050.090.050.09−0.05−0.060.100.40LessMore

Expected threat added by completed open-play passes and carries, by where the move started, attacking up the page. Expected threat is the chance that possession in an area leads to a goal; a move adds the difference between where it ends and where it starts.

Ratings

0.51.01.52.02.5League average 1.33AttackLivingston0.99 → 0.98Celtic2.21 → 2.25Defence (lower is better)Livingston1.65 → 1.70Celtic0.82 → 0.81

The goals each side would score (attack) and concede (defence) per game against an average team, from the forecast ratings before this matchday (ring) and after it (dot); a lower defence number is better. Grey dots are the other clubs after the matchday, spread up and down only so they don't overlap. The change takes in the whole matchday.

League probabilities

ChanceBeforeWith this resultChange
Livingston
11th29%29%0
Bottom46%49%+3
Celtic
Title81%83%+2
Dundee FC
11th35%36%+1
Bottom34%32%−2
Hearts
Title16%14%−2

From the forecast before the match (27 December 2025): each chance then, and across the simulations in which the match ended this way. The change is in percentage points.

Pre-match

As things stood before kick-off.

Forecast

LivingstonCeltic
Expected goals0.722.46
Win8%75%
Expected Points0.422.42
Clean sheet9%49%

Livingston 8%Draw 16%Celtic 75%

Most likely score 0–2, 13%. Both sides score 47%.

Celtic goalsLivingston goals0123456+0123456+5%6%3%2%3%8%7%5%2%1%1%3%3%3%2%10%13%10%9%

From the forecast as it stood on 27 December 2025: each side's attack and defence ratings in a Dixon–Coles score model, as on the Forecasts page.

League probabilities by result

ChanceNowLivingston winDrawCeltic win
Livingston
11th29%32%32%29%
Bottom46%29%40%49%
Celtic
Title81%71%74%83%
Dundee FC
11th35%29%32%36%
Bottom34%45%37%32%
Hearts
Title16%23%21%14%

Each chance before the match and across the simulations ending in each result. Other teams are listed where a chance moves by at least 3 percentage points.

Form

Livingston

  1. L0–120 DecSt. Mirren (A)xG 0.24–2.23
  2. D2–213 DecDundee FC (H)xG 0.89–0.46
  3. L0–36 DecMotherwell (A)xG 0.67–2.41
  4. L0–130 NovAberdeen (H)xG 0.99–0.76
  5. L1–222 NovRangers (A)xG 1.37–1.39
  6. D1–18 NovFalkirk (A)xG 0.62–1.82

Celtic

  1. W3–121 DecAberdeen (H)xG 4.72–0.91
  2. L1–217 DecDundee United (A)xG 3.20–1.45
  3. L1–27 DecHearts (H)xG 1.87–0.52
  4. W1–03 DecDundee FC (H)xG 2.08–0.21
  5. W2–130 NovHibernian (A)xG 1.33–1.65
  6. W1–022 NovSt. Mirren (A)xG 0.88–1.53

The last six league matches, newest first, with xG for and against.

Season to date

LivingstonCeltic
Position12th2nd
Played1717
Won, drawn, lost1–⁠6–⁠1011–⁠2–⁠4
Points9 (0.53 per game)35 (2.06 per game)
Expected Points per game0.982.13
Goals17–⁠3229–⁠14
xG per game1.05–⁠1.732.28–⁠0.88
Home: points, xG per game0.71, 1.29–⁠1.252.44, 2.85–⁠0.56
Away: points, xG per game0.40, 0.88–⁠2.071.62, 1.65–⁠1.23
ManagerDavid Martindale (154)Wilfried Nancy (3)

League matches this season before kick-off. The manager's number is league matches in charge since 2020/21.

Ratings

0.51.01.52.02.5League average 1.33AttackLivingston0.99, 11thCeltic2.21, 1stDefence (lower is better)Livingston1.65, 11thCeltic0.82, 1st

This season

Attack0.51.01.52.02.5SepOctNovDecLivingston attack: 0.99Celtic attack: 2.212.210.99CelticLivingstonDefence (lower is better)0.51.01.52.02.5SepOctNovDecLivingston defence: 1.65Celtic defence: 0.821.650.82

The goals each side would score (attack) and concede (defence) per game against an average team, from the forecast ratings before this matchday, with their rank among the league's clubs; a lower defence number is better. Grey dots are the other clubs, spread up and down only so they don't overlap.

Strengths and weaknesses

LivingstonCeltic
CreatedConcededCreatedConceded
Open play−26%+22%+132%−55%
Counter-attacks−61%−23%−11%−42%
Set pieces−42%+22%−22%−9%
Penalties+78%+114%+7%+7%
Headers−41%+5%+87%−35%
Left side−42%+38%+87%−52%
Centre−36%average+88%−37%
Right side−25%+29%+22%−38%

xG created and conceded per game against the league average this season: +24% is 24% more than an average side. Left and right are each side's own, so chances conceded on its left come from opponents attacking down their right. Green favours the side and amber doesn't.

Matchups

Livingston attacking

Livingston createdCeltic concededLeft side−42%−38%Centre−36%−37%Right side−25%−52%Open play−26%−55%Counter-attacks−61%−42%Set pieces−42%−9%Headers−41%−35%

Celtic attacking

Celtic createdLivingston concededLeft side+87%+29%Centre+88%averageRight side+22%+38%Open play+132%+22%Counter-attacks−11%−23%Set pieces−22%+22%Headers+87%+5%

Each side's xG created per game down each side of the pitch, through the centre, and from each type of chance, against what its opponent concedes there, both relative to the league average.

Season averages

LivingstonCeltic

1.05xG2.28
1.73xG against0.88
46%Possession71%
9.6Shots17.4
13.4Shots against7.9
3.4Shots on target5.4
1.4Big chances4.0
19.2Touches in the opposition box36.7
373Passes660
74%Pass accuracy88%
4.5Corners7.1
42%Field tilt80%
34.3Final-third entries71.0
8.4Box entries22.4
12.9Passes per defensive action9.0

Per league match this season before kick-off.

Game state this season

Livingston

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level470.831.91
Ahead81.471.41
Behind351.231.57

Celtic

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level482.160.77
Ahead302.300.98
Behind122.741.04

xG by period

Livingston

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.090.210–4
16–300.170.234–4
31–450.200.273–3
46–600.110.390–7
61–750.220.214–4
76–900.260.416–10

Celtic

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.320.134–1
16–300.370.065–1
31–450.430.192–3
46–600.260.214–5
61–750.310.124–3
76–900.580.1710–1

Per game this season, with stoppage time counted in its half; goals are totals for and against.

Most used players by position

Livingston

GKRBCBCBLBDMDMRWAMLWSTPrior 17Finlayson 8Brenet 5Lawal 3Finlayson 7McGowan 6Sylla 2Wilson 16Blaney 3Montgomery 8Montano 6May 1Tait 10Pittman 7Sylla 9Susoho 7Carey 1Smith 10Pittman 1May 1Pittman 8Tait 3Susoho 2May 5Yengi 4Winter 3Bokila 7Yengi 4Muirhead 44-2-3-1 in 10 of 17 starts

Formations: 4-2-3-1 (10), 4-3-3 (5), 3-5-2 (1), 5-4-1 (1)

Celtic

GKRBCBCBLBCMCMCMRWSTLWSchmeichel 17Ralston 7Donovan 4Yang 3Trusty 7Carter-Vickers 7Murray 2Scales 15Tierney 2Tierney 7Saracchi 7McCowan 1Engels 10Nygren 6McCowan 5McGregor 16Bernardo 2Hatate 11Nygren 4Maeda 3Yang 2Kenny 6Maeda 5Iheanacho 3Tounekti 6Maeda 5Yang 34-3-3 in 15 of 17 starts

Formations: 4-3-3 (15), 3-4-3 (1), 3-4-2-1 (1)

This season's most used formation, with up to three players who started most often in each position and their league starts there. Underneath, when a side has used more than one, every formation with its starts.

Head to head

DateHomeAwayxG
23 August 2025Celtic3–0LivingstonxG 3.02–0.24
31 March 2024Livingston0–3CelticxG 0.14–2.11
23 December 2023Celtic2–0LivingstonxG 3.66–0.00
23 September 2023Livingston0–3CelticxG 0.94–2.61
1 February 2023Celtic3–0LivingstonxG 1.51–0.35
21 December 2022Celtic2–1LivingstonxG 1.96–0.28

14 league meetings since 2020/21: Livingston won 1, Celtic won 10, and 3 were drawn. Goals 7–33 and xG 0.56–2.18 per game.

Key players

Livingston

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Muirhead6562110.460.18
Yengi8786200.350.09
Bokila8711500.340.02
May10852020.130.19

Celtic

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Kenny6503411.060.05
Nygren10932620.560.32
Maeda131,190640.500.22
Tounekti9661100.200.30

Up to four players a side with the most xG plus xA per 90 minutes, from those with at least 450 league minutes.