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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Gabriel McKay

Gary Holt fires Celtic 'battle' warning as Livingston boss highlights the key aspect his side will have to match

Livingston manager Gary Holt has warned Celtic "it's going to be a battle" when the two sides meet tomorrow.

The Premiership leaders fell to a 2-0 defeat at the Tony Macaroni Arena in October, with Lyndon Dykes physically unsettling the Celtic backline.

The Livi boss knows his side won't be able to pass Neil Lennon 's men off the park, and warned them to expect a tough examination on Wednesday night.

Holt said: "I don't think anybody looks forward to coming here to play us. People do talk about it, so why disappoint them?

(SNS Group)

"That's what I will say to the players, don't disappoint them if they are coming expecting a battle and to have to go toe-to-toe with your opposite number.

"Don't think you can step off and play football, you will get a chance within the game but you have to earn the right and they have to earn the right to play as well.

"They know it is going to be a battle. Neil knows that. He has played us often enough now.

"He knows what to expect, we know what to expect from Celtic.

"We just need to be at it. We need 11 players plus our subs concentrating on the game, it is as simple as that. If you have that you have a chance.

(SNS Group)

"It will be a full house, live on television, under lights, what a great occasion."

While Livingston took a famous win in October, they were thrashed 4-0 when they visited Celtic Park.

Holt acknowledged: "We made them angry.

"They are relentless, ruthless, they know how to win games, even if they are not playing to their ability.

"No matter the situation, no matter the conditions, as you saw on Sunday, they know how to win games of football.

"They never give up and you have to match that. You are testing yourself against the best team in Scotland so go see how good you can be."

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