Why Celtic might alter the game plan to combat Livingston 'heebee-jeebies'

Special measures isn’t a concept you associate with Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic. They are set up to impose themselves on opponents with aggressive, attacking intent, however they might choose to set up. Yet, there is just a wee hint from captain Callum McGregor that an exception may have to be made for Sunday’s trip to Livingston as the cinch Premiership leaders seek to preserve their three point advantage over Rangers at the top of the table.

The fixture that gives the Celtic support the heebee-jeebies more than any other, it is little wonder. Celtic haven’t won in West Lothian across the four seasons Livingston have been back in the top flight, a period that leaves them five such games without a victory. Postecoglou’s men are on a 27-match domestic unbeaten run. It just so happens their last defeat came, you’ve guessed it, on their last trek along the M8 to Almondvale, with a 1-0 loss in mid-September. Livingston, now fourth and in their best form of the campaign, followed that up by holding Celtic to a scoreless draw in Glasgow at the end of October. The upshot of those two outcomes is that David Martindale’s men are the only Scottish side Postecoglou hasn’t registered a win over. McGregor is well aware of his club’s problems against Livingston. Indeed, a sense has developed that their plastic pitch has created some sort of psychological block for those in Celtic colours.

“We have kind of struggled to pick up results, especially away, so we just try to implement the game model that we want,” said the midfielder. “We will look at it over the next couple of days, anticipate what they will do, and try to come up with a gameplan to beat that.”

The likelihood is that the requirement for Postecoglou’s side to end their hoodoo