The festive football calendar rolls on this weekend as Celtic hit the road for a crucial Premiership clash at Almondvale Stadium. Wilfried Nancy’s side, buoyed by their first win under the Frenchman, will look to build on last Sunday’s 3-1 triumph over Aberdeen at Paradise.
The Frenchman finally saw his vision translate into points last weekend as the Hoops dispatched Aberdeen 3-1 at Paradise. It was a performance defined by the creative fluidity Nancy was brought in to instill.
While the scoreline was convincing, the underlying numbers suggested a side truly clicking into gear; the “new manager bounce” has evolved into a tangible tactical shift.
For Nancy, the result was less about personal relief and more about proof of concept for a dressing room in transition.
“We won the game, yes, but it doesn’t change my life,” Nancy insisted, maintaining his trademark stoicism. “I have to go back and work again just as we did when we lost. But for my players, this is important—to validate what they have done well since I arrived.”
A Tough Test at Almondvale
Livingston presents a different kind of challenge. David Martindale’s men have found life difficult since their promotion, failing to secure a win since August. However, Almondvale remains one of the trickiest destinations in the Scottish Premiership, often serving as a leveling ground for the league’s heavyweights.
This marks Celtic’s first visit to the stadium since March 2024. While the history books favor the visitors—who cruised to a 3-0 win in the reverse fixture earlier this season—Nancy will be wary of complacency against a side fighting for survival.
If Celtic are to unlock a stubborn Livi defense, they will likely look to the man in form: Benjamin Nygren. The forward was the architect of the previous 3-0 win over Martindale’s side, netting a brace, and he continued that clinical streak with a vital goal against Aberdeen last Sunday.
“It was a massive win and a very good performance,” Nygren noted, reflecting on the Aberdeen result. “We could have scored many more. It’s about creating as many chances as possible—that’s how you increase your probability of winning.”
Match Info & How to Watch
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Livingston vs. Celtic
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Date: Saturday, December 27
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Venue: Almondvale Stadium
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Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
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Broadcast: Fans in Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, and Macau can stream the action live on SPOTV NOW.
