It’s a busy day of festive football this afternoon and one that could have significant implications in the title race…

21.12.2025 Celtic v Aberdeen, Scottish Premiership. Kieran Tierney celebrates his goal. Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO

There’s a full card in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon starting with the Edinburgh Derby at Easter Road which has a 12.30pm kick-off and ending with the New Firm Derby at Pittodrie as Aberdeen entertain Dundee United – that one kicks off at 5.45pm. Sandwiched in between are the 3pm kick-offs including Livingston v Celtic and theRangers v Motherwell in the fourth versus third battle.

Celtic Team News

Wilfried Nancy spoke to Sky Sports yesterday ahead of today’s match, confirming that Reo Hatate – who missed the win over Aberdeen through illness – is the only addition to today’s squad with everyone else from the previous match good to go.

Hatate might come in but is perhaps more likely to start on the bench with Nancy likely to go with the same starting XI who produced a better late than never first victory of the Frenchman to significantly relieve the weight on his shoulders.

Kieran Tierney of Celtic celebrates scoring during the Premier League match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park on December 21, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic will be without Kelechi Iheanacho, Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand and Marcelo Saracchi (all hamstring) along with Jota (knee) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles). These players when fit, plus hopefully some quality additions in the January transfer window will significantly improve the Celtic side in 2026.

21.12.2025 Celtic v Aberdeen, Scottish Premiership. James Forrest scores for Celtic 3-1. Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO

The only possible change today, outside of late injury concerns, would be to play Daizen Maeda through the middle and bring James Forrest into the starting XI after his goalscoring exploits last week.

Johnny Kenny misses. Dundee Utd v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Tannadice, 17 December 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

That would allow Johnny Kenny to sit this one out given his lack of confidence in front of goal. But given the physicality of any David Martindale side, Nancy might prefer to have Kenny in there for one last chance to establish himself before the transfer window opens. Surely then the penny will have dropped as Michael Nicholson finally gets around to replacing Kyogo – maybe even with Kyogo.

Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

World class in everything Michael? Aye right.

Predicted Celtic Team

Benjamin Nygren of Celtic celebrates scoring Celtic v Aberdeen, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park – 21 Dec ember 2025Glasgow Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO Shutterstock

Kasper Schmeichel will start behind Tony Ralston, Auston Trusty and  Kieran Tierney. The midfield duo will be Arne Engels and Callum McGregor with Yang and Daizen Maeda out wide. In attack, Johnny Kenny starts through the middle with Benji Nygren and Luke McCowan in those advanced midfield roles.

On the bench for Celtic this afternoon expect to see: Sinisalo, Simpson-Pusey, Scales, Shin, Hatate, Bernardo, Forrest, Murray and Donovan.

Match Officials

Ross County keeper Jordan Amissah with Referee Matthew MacDermid. Amissah helped keep the score down. Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Matthew MacDermid will take charge of this afternoon’s match at the Tony Macaroni Arena between Livingston and Celtic. He will be assisted by Frank Connor and Dougie Potter while Nick Walsh is the VAR and he will be assisted by Graeme Leslie.

Kick-off Time

Livingston v Celtic has a 3pm kick-off time this afternoon, Saturday 27 December 2025.

Where to Watch

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy reacts as he his team score their first goal during the Premier League match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park on December 21, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Today’s match is live on Sky Sports after the Hibs v Hearts match at Easter Road – so a great double-header with Celtic looking for a favour from the Hibees in the Edinburgh Derby before collecting the points for Wilfried Nancy’s first away win as Celtic manager.

Both matches will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.

Sportscene will show highlights on the BBC Scotland channel at 7.15pm this evening and will then be repeated at 11.55pm on BBC One.

Today’s game is also live on Celtic TV for subscribers based outside of Britain and Ireland.

Predicted Score

Livingston 1-3 Celtic – just a hunch.

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