Gary Holt 'absolutely buzzing' after Livi draw with Celtic

Gary Holt has praised both sides for their “never say die” attitude after Livingston and Celtic drew 2-2 at Almondvale.

Callum McGregor had given the champions a first-half lead but Livi captain Jon Guthrie equalised and the hosts took the lead though Scott Robinson just after the break. Celtic kept applying pressure and got their reward when Tom Rogic scored the equaliser in stoppage time.

Holt was delighted to take a point despite the late goal and said he was thrilled by the game.

“I’m absolutely buzzing,” he said. “They are an exceptional side.

“The never-say-die attitude from both teams to get something out of the game was in abundance.

“They had three talented substitutes to put more pressure on you.

“If they equalised in the third minute of the second half and it ends the same, you are still disappointed because you have had a lot of the game and had chances.

“But you play to the final whistle and we had chances to put the game beyond them.

“But as an entertaining spectacle I thought it was excellent.”

Celtic boss Neil Lennon had seen his side lose 2-0 to Livingston in October but said that he was convinced his side would find the equaliser they needed when 2-1 down on Wednesday.

“I was delighted with the performance and we deserved three points,” he said.

“Their goal could easily have been a foul on Fraser, their second goal was poor from our point of view and for the rest of the game we were magnificent.

“Against a difficult opponent on a difficult pitch, we were absolutely outstanding.

“I had total belief that we would get the equaliser.

“Tom came up with the goods but the team were fantastic, their mindset, intensity and will to win was there in evidence.

“I am sitting here disappointed that it is the first two points we have dropped in 2020 and I didn’t think we deserved it because we dominated the game for long periods and in the end we broke them. It is a privilege for me to manage this team.”