Chris Sutton kept alive Celtic's quadruple dream with a late winner to sink
plucky Livingston at Parkhead.
But their historic trophy haul could have suffered a major setback after
Henrik Larsson was rushed to hospital with a suspected broken jaw.
Celtic closed the gap on their arch-rivals Rangers back to three points after
the Light Blues' victory over Dunfermline on Saturday and they had the Englishman
and Shaun Maloney to thank.
The youngster was involved in Sutton's winner and Momo Sylla's equaliser after
Rolando Zarate had threatened to destroy their SPL title hopes.
But despite the three points, the biggest scare of all was the sight of
Larsson leaving the field and with the double-header with Rangers and UEFA Cup
clashes against Stuttgart just weeks away it could be a major blow to their
trophy quest this season.
Livingston caused Celtic more problems than most top-flight sides had managed
and they signalled their intentions in the third minute.
Stilian Petrov brought down Zarate to the left of the area and the Spanish
player stepped up himself to curl a right-foot shot towards the top corner, but
Celtic goalkeeper Magnus Hedman moved quickly to his left to turn the effort
around the post.
That seemed to wake the home side and Larsson twice went close to breaking the
deadlock within the space of a minute.
Petrov played him through on goal, but the striker hesitated and Marvin
Andrews made a crucial tackle before Alan Main, who was in for axed goalkeeper
David McEwan after his nightmare at Dunfermline in midweek, saved his next
chance from Sutton's through-ball.
Celtic almost paid the price in the 12th minute after McCurry had harshly
penalised Bobo Balde for a foul on Eugene Dadi.
From the resulting free-kick Phillipe Brinquin whipped in a dangerous cross
for Andrews to head goalward, but Hedman was alert to tip the ball over the
crossbar.
The home side responded by carving out a great opportunity for Larsson two
minutes later.
Sutton picked out the Swede in the centre of goal and six yards out, but his
header was brilliantly kept out by Main.
But Larsson was hurt after appearing to collide with Gustave Bahoken and he
was forced to leave the field as he mopped up blood and he was replaced by
Maloney, who would make his mark later in the game.
Petrov headed over from a good position moments later before Ulrik Laursen was
booked for a crunching challenge on Julian Maidana.
Maloney looked lively after his arrival, but his low 25-yard shot was too
ambitious and Main had the easiest of saves to make.
Livingston took heart from the Swede's early departure, but Brinquin was
booked in the 41st minute after a late challenge on Jamie Smith.
Laursen gave Celtic fans a scare early in the second half after hitting a weak
back-pass, but Hedman allayed those fears with a kick into the stand.
Sutton almost controlled a through-ball from Sylla in the 50th minute which
would have seen him through on goal.
But the home side were in shock again in the 52nd minute when the visitors
took a surprise lead.
Joos Valgaeren's back-pass was too short and Zarate nipped in and rounded the
advancing goalkeeper and fired into the back of the empty net.
As expected the Livingston defence found themselves under siege and referee
McCurry was a brave man to turn down a penalty claim from Celtic in the 56th
minute.
Petrov played Maloney in and the youngster went down under the challenge of
Burton O'Brien.
Moments later Hoops boss Martin O'Neill made a bold move by replacing Laursen
with Steve Guppy before Main did well to turn Smith's effort over the crossbar.
McCurry continued to frustrate the Celtic fans as he awarded Livingston a
free-kick after Lennon had tackled Zarate but Hedman comfortably saved his
effort before the Livingston man was replaced by Barry Wilson.
Former Barcelona midfielder Guillermo Amor then entered the fray with the
impressive midfielder Stuart Lovell the one to leave field.
But unlike the home side, Livingston were growing in confidence and Dadi tried
to lob Hedman with an audacious long-range effort which the goalkeeper was alert
to.
Sutton was the next man booked before the champions got themselves on level
terms in the 75th minute.
Maloney's superb free-kick rebounded back off the post and Sylla was the
quickest to react to divert the ball into the back of the net from six yards.
And it was the youngster who played a major role in the 85th-minute winner
when Main kept out another of his free-kicks and this time Sutton was on hand to
knock home the rebound.
Valgaeren made up for his earlier mistake with a well-timed challenge on
Wilson in the box with just three minutes remaining.
Those late moments kept Celtic's trophy hopes alive - but now all thoughts
turned to Larsson.
Teams:
Celtic: Hedman, Valgaeren, Balde, Laursen (Guppy 57),
Sylla (Lambert 85), Lennon, Petrov, McNamara, Smith, Sutton,
Larsson (Maloney 17).
Subs Not Used: Broto, Crainey.
Booked: Laursen, Sutton.
Goals: Sylla 77, Sutton 85.
Livingston: Main, Brinquin, Andrews, Rubio,
Maidana (Bingham 78), O'Brien, Quino, Bahoken,
Lovell (Amor 64), Zarate (Wilson 62), Dadi.
Subs Not Used: McEwan, McMenamin.
Booked: Lovell, Brinquin, Bahoken.
Goals: Zarate 52.
Att: 57,169
Ref: Michael McCurry (Scotland).
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