Livingston 1-3 Celtic: Visitors overcome nemesis to restore Scottish Premiership lead over Rangers

Celtic convincingly overcame their nemesis Livingston to restore their three-point lead over Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Shortly after Celtic captain Callum McGregor missed a penalty, striker Daizen Maeda headed in the opener from close range after a disputed corner.

A Nicky Devlin own goal and James Forrest's fine finish made it 3-0.

And Andrew Shinnie's close-range reply could not deny Celtic a first win at Tony Macaroni Arena since 2007.

It was a thoroughly professional, clinical and deserved win for Ange Postecoglou's side in his 50th game in charge as they responded to reigning champions Rangers' win over Aberdeen on Saturday.

But Livingston will rue the corner decision that led to Celtic's opener and Ayo Odileye's header against the bar at 1-0 as they passed up a chance to reclaim fourth spot from Hibernian.

With Livingston having taken 17 points since the winter break — a haul bettered only by Celtic — this was very much a game between the Premiership's two form sides.

It looked like Livingston might again spring a surprise as they went close to taking a sixth-minute lead, but Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart stretched out a big hand to parry clear when Obileye half-volleyed a corner from a difficult angle at the far post.

Celtic responded by dominating possession and took the lead following two minutes of controversy.

When Maeda's attempted cut-back inside the six-yard box struck Jack Fitzwater's trailing arm, the Livingston centre-half appeared to be unfortunate to concede a penalty kick.

Celtic captain Callum McGregor fired the spot-kick against the outside of a post, but the breakthrough was only momentarily prevented.

Anthony Ralston won a corner when the ball appeared to last come off the Celtic