Jerome Prior’s heroics could not prevent Celtic moving into pole position in the William Hill Premiership.
Livingston’s French-born goalkeeper made a number of quality stops including one just before the break to tip Yang Hyun-Jun’s header from close range over the bar.
That kept the scoreline blank, but the outcome was sealed with three second-half goals, two in five minutes.
Swedish newcomer Benjamin Nygren claimed a double and Irish striker Johnny Kenny opened his account for Celtic in the 3-0 win.
Earlier, Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers, made eight changes to his line-up ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League return with Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan with sides level at 0-0 after the first-leg at Parkhead.
Reo Hatate, Kieran Tierney, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Callum McGregor, Daizen Maeda and James Forrest were all rested, but McGregor, Maeda and Forrest all came off the bench against Livingston.
David Martindale, Livingston’s manager, told BBC Sport Scotland: “I don’t think we deserved anything, but there are positives.”
He argued that Livingston had not played an opponent like Celtic for 18 months and he said: “We came here to try and stay in the game as long as we could.”
While Celtic jet off to Kazakhstan, Livingston turn their attention to the visit of Hearts on Saturday (15.00), a side who were 3-0 down to Motherwell at Tynecastle but roared back to level at 3-3 by the final whistle.
Meanwhile, there was some good news for Livi fans. Lewis Smith has signed a one-year contract extension which will keep him at the Home of the Set Fare Arena until the summer of 2027.
And Tete Yengi has also signed a one-year contract extension which keeps him at Livingston until the summer of 2027.
PICTURE: David Martindale
