Celtic 3-2 Livingston: Player Ratings as McGregor, Christie and Ajeti Fire Hoops to Top Spot

Celtic celebrate their third goal
Celtic celebrate their third goal / Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
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Celtic put themselves back on top of the Scottish Premiership table, as they came from a goal behind to overpower Livingston at Parkhead.

It had all looked to be going to pot when Jason Holt converted a penalty after Kristoffer Ajer handled the ball, but after taking a breath, normality was restored. Goals from Ryan Christie and Callum McGregor had the Hoops in front by the break, and new signing Albian Ajeti - who is loving life in Glasgow - later put the game to bed. Or so it seemed.

Monaco loanee Julian Serrano set up a grantstand finish with a powerful finish, but despite Livi spending the final 10 minutes launching long balls at the Hoops' back line like grenades, it was the champions who took the spoils.

Let's get into some player ratings!


CELTIC

1. Goalkeeper and Defenders

Frimpong caused problems down the right hand side
Frimpong caused problems down the right hand side / Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Vasillios Barkas (GK) - 6/10 - Jason Holt's penalty flying past him was just about the only close-up look he got at the ball until Serrano made it 3-2.

Jeremie Frimpong (RWB) - 7/10 - Typically lively, the former Manchester City kid buzzed away down the right flank and enjoyed an afternoon largely unshackled by defensive responsibilities. He's a tremendous prospect.

Hatem Abd Elhamed (CB) - 6/10 - Much of a muchness on the right of the back three but didn't do anything notably wrong.

Shane Duffy (CB) - 7/10 - The mountainous Chris Jullien was out injured but that's no problem when you have the equally mountainous Duffy, who may be the most intimidating centre-back Scottish football - and football in general - has ever seen.

Kristoffer Ajer (CB) - 6/10 - Amateur hour for the opening goal but otherwise steady and composed as ever in possession. Distribution from the back offers something no other Celtic defender can.

Greg Taylor (LWB) - 5/10 - Defensively steady but his inconsistent attacking output was exposed in the back five.


2. Midfielders

McGregor scored a wonderful goal in the first half
McGregor scored a wonderful goal in the first half / Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Olivier Ntcham (CM) - 6/10 - Shuttling between midfield and attack, he constantly showed for the ball even if he didn't get it as often as he'd like.

Scott Brown (CM) - 6/10 - Did the thing Scott Brown does where he just kicks people and passes the ball sideways, but did it efficiently.

Callum McGregor (CM) - 8/10 - Celtic's midfield metronome can go unnoticed but the work he does in the middle of the park is second to none. Peach of a strike to equalise capped off another great performance.


3. Forwards

Christie was deployed as an auxiliary striker
Christie was deployed as an auxiliary striker / Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Ryan Christie (CF) - 7/10 - Lennon seems to be convinced Christie has the attributes to play as a second striker but it rarely gets the best out of him. Regardless, a good showing from the Scotland star who slotted his team ahead.

Albian Ajeti (CF) - 7/10 - The Swiss striker was signed to offer genuine competition to Edouard and you can see why. He's enjoyed an excellent start to life and Glasgow and got his fourth goal for Celtic in only his third start.

4. Substitutes

James Forrest - 5/10

Nir Bitton - 5/10

Patryk Klimala - N/A