DEFENDING is the new scoring goals. A week after a couple of thumping Kris Ajer tackles late on in the Old Firm game were being celebrated around Celtic Park as if they were searing 25-yard strikes into the top corner, yesterday it was Livingston’s turn to get the plaudits as they put on their own defensive demonstration.

Those who suspected the West Lothian side would arrive in the East End of Glasgow as lambs to the slaughter clearly haven’t been watching this hard working and well-organised group of players closely enough on their unlikely ascent through the Scottish leagues during the last two-and-a-half years.

They were fully entitled to their celebrations in front of their hardy band of visiting fans as they gained the club’s first ever point, and clean sheet, at this venue.

Their efforts meant Celtic will have to wait at least another fortnight before they can get their hands on their eighth successive top-flight title but what else did we learn from an afternoon in the East End of Glasgow which few home fans will look back on too fondly in years to come?

CELTIC HAVEN’T HIT FULL STRIDE YET UNDER NEIL LENNON

As much kudos as the Northern Irishman deserves for stepping in at such short notice and steering this ship to the eighth successive title which will surely be theirs soon after the split, he inherited a side from Brendan Rodgers which weren’t exactly blowing teams away and they still aren’t.

St Mirren away this week – courtesy of Ryan Christie’s 85th minute clincher - was the first league match under Lennon which they had won by more than one goal, and this was their second goalless home draw during that period. As resolutely as Livingston defended, Odsonne Edouard really should have rippled the net with a first half chance from James Forrest centre, and it remains a source of some mystery that Oliver Burke rolled the ball wide when Liam Kelly’s fumble presented him with a gilt-edged chance to provide Celtic’s customary late goal.

BUT THEY ARE GETTING THEIR PLAYERS BACK

The league party rolls over for a fortnight at least but the good news, with that William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final against Hampden approaching, is that Celtic’s treatment room is finally emptying. Tom Rogic is gathering fitness with every week, even if the Parkhead side could have done with a few more of his flashes of genius on Saturday, while Ryan Christie was the man the sponsors found to walk off with the man of the match champagne. Filip Benkovic returned to the fray too and with Edouard fitter than he has been for most of the season, Celtic will be approaching full strength against the Dons as Lennon attempt to close out the treble which has so far eluded him as a manager.

OLIVER BURKE REMAINS A WORK IN PROGRESS AND THE SIGNS DON’T LOOK GREAT FOR SCOTT SINCLAIR

After a bright start to his loan spell at Celtic, with two goals on his league debut against St Mirren, things have rather dried up for the 22-year-old from Kirkcaldy. Appearing somewhat low in confidence in midweek at St Mirren, he only had seven minutes to get on the scoresheet here, which was long enough when you consider the glaring late opening which fell to him here after the otherwise excellent Kelly had spilled an Edouard shot. Attempting to pass it into the bottom corner, he merely passed it beyond the post.

As for Sinclair, who has seemingly lost his place in the pecking order to Johnny Hayes, that is two matches in a row where Lennon hasn’t looked in his direction even as his team searched for inspiration.

TO THINK LIVINGSTON WERE MOST PEOPLE’S TIP TO GO DOWN

The West Lothian side’s brand of football may not be to everyone’s tastes but they are good at doing it and this point, which came after a similar goalless draw against Celtic at the Tony Macaroni Arena, was no accident. This was Liam Kelly’s 16th clean sheet in 38 matches this season and as usual every player in front of him contributed handsomely to that achievement. Their effective back three of Craig Halkett, Declan Gallagher and Alan Lithgow won every cross ball going and allowed no space in behind, unsung heroes like Steve Lawson and Hakeem Odoffin closed down the space manfully and attempted to keep what ball they could. Dolly Menga looked to work Celtic’s back three and even forced Bain into a fine save with a left-foot strike from 25 yards.

… BUT THEY COULD BE A VICTIM OF THEIR OWN SUCCESS

God knows Livingston have been written off before. But Gary Holt will really start earning his money this summer now that his best players have been cherrypicked. Craig Halkett has already agreed a pre-contract to sign with Hearts, Gallagher is thought to be close to a move to Motherwell and Scott Pittman has apparently attracted the interest of Aberdeen. These players have earned their paydays but it will not be easy to source replacements.