Livingston 0-2 Celtic XI

Jul 20 2008 Darren Johnston Reports

CELTIC dud Thomas Gravesen was left with a red face after being hooked from the reserve team. Gravesen had a shocker in the first half and did not reappear after the break as his young teammates clinched victory.

The Dane and fellow reject Derek Riordan were sent to line up with the Parkhead kids at Almondvale while the big team took on Fulham in London.

They started in attack and looked like they wanted to be elsewhere, especially Gravesen who racked up a number of misplaced passes.

At least Riordan finished the match but grim Gravesen was replaced at half-time by Simon Ferry.

Livi's players were also red-faced at losing to the Hoops reserves and new boss Roberto Landi has a major job to get his team ready for the new season.

They had created the chances while Celtic had the majority of the possession. Livi's lively trialist striker had a shot from outside the box saved while Joe Hamill's rasping effort from 25 yards was deflected wide.

Then Leigh Griffiths dragged a shot wide after being sent clear by Liam Fox.

But Celtic took the lead against the run of play three minutes from the break when Kevin Cawley latched on to Rocco Quinn's pass to beat the trialist keeper.

Fox hit the post just after half time and the trialist striker forced a good save from Ryan Marshall.

But Celtic hit No.2 in 64 minutes.

Scott Cuthbert's header was knocked goalwards by Cawley and Danny Lafferty flicked the ball in.

Livi's tempo was interrupted by a massive nine substitutions.