SPL Wednesday December 29th

Celtic 3

Livingston 2

1:0 Moravcik (12); 1:1 Rubio (37); 2:1 Larsson (50); 2:2 Quino (61); 3:2 Larsson (90)

Att: 59,000

MIB: Garry Mitchell

Celtic: Douglas; Valgaeren, Balde, Mjallby; Thompson, Lambert, Lennon, Moravcik (McNamara 90), Petrov; Larsson, Sutton (Hartson 34)

Anyone who felt that being so many points clear would allow us to relax a bit will have had that notion dispelled today. With 10 minutes to go and the score at 2:2 everyone wearing green and white was all too aware that a draw was no good to us. As Livvy co-manager Davie Hay can testify, gaps of ten points and more can easily be overhauled if the rot sets in early enough, and after the defeat at Aberdeen we needed three this afternoon.

It wasn't too surprising that Livvy made such a game of it. When Jim Leishman managed Dunfermline in the late 80s he made it his policy not to sit back against Celtic and try to steal a point. His teams attacked, and often got their reward; remember our first visit to East End Park in the Centenary Year? (er... no - ed)

And yet it had all started normally. Ten minutes of constant pressure, a free kick conceded just outside the box, and Lubo produced a shot that simply confirmed the fact that he is the best striker of a dead ball in the UK. 1:0, so far so good.

Now it isn't like the diary to harp on about poor/incompetent/biased officials, but the muppets we had today really were a marvel. Two players go shoulder to shoulder, no sign of anything amiss from the officials. The Livvy guy falls over, still nothing from the boys in black. The Livvy boy gets up and claims for a foul and is rewarded with a flurry of flags and whistles as the referee and linesman fall over themselves to give the foul. So who is refereeing the game? Apparently it's the slaphead Livvy have got at right back. Of course they promptly equalise from the free kick and the game is now very much on.

Joos picked up a card after a rugby-style tackle at the edge of the box as Livvy began to press forward and the nerves were beginning to rattle in the crowd.

The second half was as close a battle as we've had for some time in the league. First Larsson reclaimed the lead with a bouncing shot from outside the box, only for Livvy to equalise shortly afterwards. Again the goal involved a controversial decision. Paul Lambert was clearly fouled, but the ref cheerfully waved play on. Livvy hared into our box where their ex-goalie kept out the first effort, but the ball fell badly for us and Rab was helpless as the score became 2:2.

Time for another cracking decision by the ref. Joos committed a clumsy foul on the halfway line. It was only his second foul, but he was booked for the first, and now he's on for first shot of the shampoo.

So we're level against a team that has already taken two points from us, and down to ten men. But there's nothing quite like a triumph in adversity. With seconds left to play Alan Thompson, who had been having a hell of a day with little support from the crowd, won a 50-50 ball from the ref. It looked like he was about to try a ridiculous shot, but instead he drove the ball across the face of the goal for Henke to win the game.

Joy unconfined in Paradise; crockery needing glued in the visitors dressing room at Easter Road, and the margin at the top of the league restored. Merry Boxing Day!