Celtic march on with comfortable win over Livingston

Celtic showed no signs of letting up in the title race as they brushed aside Livingston in a one-sided Parkhead encounter.

Left-back Greg Taylor eventually breached a resolute Livi defence in the 29th minute with a thunderous drive and three minutes later Japan attacker Daizen Maeda rather fortuitously added a second.

Fellow countryman Kyogo Furuhashi struck on the counter just before the break with his 21st goal of the season and perhaps surprisingly that was the end of the scoring.

Livingston, fourth in the table, went into the match unbeaten in six games but they were simply outclassed by a side who have lost only once in 24 league games this season.

Rangers' 3-0 win at third-place Hearts means Michael Beale has eight wins and a draw in nine league games as Gers boss.

However, he has been unable to put a dent in Celtic's nine-point lead at the top of the table and belief and confidence in the east end of Glasgow appears unshakeable.

Lions boss David Martindale had promised to play a containing game at Parkhead and they certainly began in that fashion, after bringing in Ayo Obileye, Jason Holt and Andrew Shinnie for Sean Kelly, Stephen Kelly and Steven Bradley.

Celtic took possession of the ball from the kick-off and were reluctant to give it up.

Livi keeper Shamal George was warned by referee Nick Walsh for time wasting with only nine minutes played.

However, the champions, with Matt O'Riley and Maeda in for Liel Abada and Aaron Mooy, should have taken the lead a minute or so later when Maeda reached the byline and fizzed it across goal but somehow Jota failed to make contact from almost on the goal line.

In the 21st minute, the Portuguese winger tested George with a curling free-kick from 25 yards as the home side retained