Celtic instant analysis: Kyogo and Scales seal festive win

Two second-half goals from Kyogo Furuhashi and Liam Scales within a five-minute burst ensured that the Celtic supporters were gifted an early Christmas present of three precious points from Brendan Rodgers's men.

The Japanese talisman notched his ninth goal of the season and found the net for the first time in eight matches as Irishman Scales claimed his first goal this season.

The hosts started brightly but passed up a host of chances in the first half and there was anxiety emanating from the stands as it remained goalless at the break.

However, Kyogo settled the nerves when he stabbed home Luis Palma's curled effort 26 seconds after the restart.

The three points were made safe when Scales' superb back-header following Palma's corner-kick on 51 minutes looped into the top corner.

It was Celtic's eighth home win of the season after suffering back-to-back league defeats. Meanwhile, Livingston's dismal record of never having won at Parkhead in 18 attempts continued as David Martindale's side also made it ten Premiership games without a win

Kyogo Furuhashi is finally back in the ball game

The Japanese talisman notched his ninth goal of the season and he lifted the roof off Celtic Park in the process when he got the vital breakthrough just 26 seconds into the second half. It ended the striker's recent goal drought and was just his second goal in the last 13 matches. The champions had made a good start and there was a directness and intensity about them in the early stages of this clash. However, chances came and went for Matt O'Riley, Kyogo as well Daizen Maeda and that led to some sloppy periods as the half wore on. There was a frustrating edge to the match as the two teams trudged off goalless at the break. How Celtic desperately needed Kyogo's goal to spark them into life. The 28-year-old was in the right place at the right time to divert Luis Palma's curled effort into the net for the vital opener and that was followed by Liam Scales' first goal for the club soon after to help Celtic breathe more easily as they took total command and were in control of their destiny from that point onwards. The relief was certainly palpable in Glasgow's east end as the Celtic supporters got an early Christmas present by notching all three points and seeing Kyogo's name back on the scoresheet. He made way for Oh Hyeon-gyu after 71 minutes for a well-earned rest.

Tony Haggerty

A welcome return for the Ultras

Walking up the stairs to your seat, you could feel the return of the atmosphere to Celtic Park. Of course, this was down to the return of both the Green Brigade from their suspension, and the Bhoys on the opposite side. These past few months have been a real mood killer concerning the atmosphere in the stadium - with recent results playing a part - but that changed today following the ultras’ return to the fold. Following their corteo to the stadium, the Green Brigade were in fine voice, supported by the rest of the crowd in backing the team at kick-off. Their constant chanting and generation of noise would have been a help to the team on the park, though it must be said that they certainly didn’t show it in the first half! Thankfully, the side put that right following the restart. Regardless, it is great to see both groups back at Celtic. As mentioned before, it is so important to have all sectors of the club United, especially over the next couple of games. They will be needed to generate the noise, especially in that mammoth clash with Rangers on December 30. A welcome return for a group that do so much more right than wrong, especially concerning atmosphere and crowd participation. Let’s hope that it can stay that way for the rest of the season and beyond.

Ryan McGinlay

Cameron Carter-Vickers chalks up the century for Celtic

The USA international defender reached the milestone 100-game mark for Celtic which is no mean achievement. The 25-year-old has been a rock and a consistent performer at the back of the pack during his entire spell for the Scottish champions. He was rarely troubled throughout proceedings against the West Lothian outfit and never put a foot wrong when he was called upon. There was one moment when Bruce Anderson fancied his chances out wide against the big man and tried to take him on. However, the stopper leaned in effortlessly and easily dispossessed the Livi striker in a rare foray upfield for the visitors. You can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times that Carter-Vickers has let Celtic down in the act of clocking up a century of matches. A consummate professional the player has found a spiritual home at Celtic Park. He is one of the most calmest and reassuring presence in the central defensive position that has been at the club for many years. He will rightfully be lauded as one of the best defenders in the recent history of the club. He is certainly a popular figure among the whole of the Celtic faithful who have had the pleasure of watching him from the stands 100 times and counting. He was denied a dream goal when Livingston's goalkeeper Jack Hamilton pulled off a reflex reaction save from his point-blank header.

Tony Haggerty

Prime-time Palma

The first half was certainly a sluggish affair, with Celtic - and Palma in particular - being so wasteful with their delivery and in turn, their finishing in front of goal. Because of this, there were some boos at half-time by the home supporters, who were unimpressed once again by Celtic’s showing in the game so far. Whatever the manager said to the team during the break certainly resonated with the players, however, as the Honduran winger spearheaded the attack following the restart. For whatever reason, Livingston elected to not get tight to the forward, and Palma didn’t need a second invitation to inflict damage on the visitors. Playing a perfectly weighted ball into the box, which Kyogo connected with to break his goal drought. Palma would double his assist tally for the afternoon just a couple of minutes later, as he delivered another ball - this time from a corner - onto the head of Scales, who expertly placed it into the back of the net. Although the winger was taken off 10 minutes later in place of Yang Hyun-jun, this short but devastating spell of wide play from Palma reminded everyone how dangerous he can be for Celtic. Hopefully, he is hitting form at the right time, as he has all the talent and ability to cause any team problems, including Rangers. Though Mark Lawwell’s recruitment has been lambasted from pillar to post, this is one he got right. It was another two-goal contribution from Celtic’s most potent wing threat.

Ryan McGinlay

Head man Liam Scales steps up to the plate

The Irishman conjured up his first goal this season in a Celtic jersey with a brilliant back header following Palma's corner kick delivery to put Celtic 2-0 up and on easy street. It is no more than Scales deserves after his stellar performances at centre-back this season. There was even a great moment in sport at Celtic Park when Scales - who did not see his header hit the back of the net - glanced up at the giant TV screens to watch his goal. It may have been Carter-Vickers' 100th game for the club but his central defensive partner was certainly not going to let the American grab all the glory and hog the limelight. That's a man-of-the-match display against Feyenoord and the first Celtic goal of the Rodgers era to boot this month for the 25-year-old. Scales displays have been a silver lining this season under Rodgers although he still has his long-term doubters. It's fair to say that he has been a revelation for the men in green and white this season and he was a popular goalscorer on the day as the Green Brigade and everybody else showed their appreciation for someone who is fast approaching MVP status.