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Callum McGregor: 'Celtic need to sort defensive problems'

Celtic conceded twice in their victory over Livingston.

Callum McGregor stressed the need for Celtic to tighten up ahead of their Europa League qualifier against Riga following their 3-2 win over Livingston.

The Hoops had to come from behind to beat St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership in midweek and again on Saturday they lost the first goal – to a Jason Holt penalty.

Hoops midfielder McGregor levelled with a drive and further goals from Ryan Christie and Albian Ajeti had Neil Lennon's side comfortably ahead and in control of the match until Julien Serrano pulled a goal back for Livi in the 78th minute.

That ensured a nervy finish in which Livingston's debutant substitute Carlo Pignatiello missed a late chance for the visitors.

If Celtic triumph against Riga in Latvia they will play FK Sarajevo or Buducnost Podgorica away in the play-off and McGregor is looking for a clean sheet to help them progress.

He told CelticTV: "We probably made it more difficult than what it should have been.

"At the start of the second half we look good, we look comfortable, get the third goal and then you probably fancy us to see it out 3-1 or 4-1 but I think that's something that we have to really work on, in terms of conceding goals.

"We're conceding too many goals as a team, shots from the edge of the box and things like that which is not really us

"We have to work on that, we'll need to look at it and make sure going forward that we don't concede as many goals.

"We know what we need to do on Thursday.

"We look at this (Livingston) game, we have to learn from it quickly in terms of conceding goals.

"We go over there and put everything into the game and we are looking to get into that play-off spot so everyone's looking forward to it."

The Scotland international was pleased to get his first goal of the season from a deflected drive from the edge of the box.

He said: "I thought the boys reacted really well actually to the penalty.

"We got going and the ball fell to me and I just took a touch and hit it and sometimes they get a little nick when they go in which is fine, I will happily take that one."

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Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard pictured in August 2020
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic110082275581
2RangersRangers110074245078
3Hearts101046341263
4Kilmarnock10104334952
5St Mirren10013945-643
6Dundee10014556-1141
Relegation Group
1Hibernian11004752-542
2Aberdeen11003649-1338
3Motherwell10014652-637
4St Johnstone10012549-2431
5Ross County10013258-2630
6Livingston11002459-3521
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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