Celtic set up a Scottish League Cup semi-final showdown against Rangers and kept alive their dreams of achieving a "Double Treble" by beating Livingston last night. Bobo Balde and John Hartson scored the goals.

Livingston had moved three points behind Rangers in the Premier League with a game in hand and proved that their current form was no flash in the pan by pushing the visitors all the way.

But Martin O'Neill could afford to rest big stars Henrik Larsson, Paul Lambert, Neil Lennon and Alan Thompson and still keep their treble dream on track.

Livingston goalkeeper Nick Culkin made some superb saves in the first 30 minutes but there was nothing he could do to prevent Celtic from taking the lead after 35 minutes.

Lubo Moravcik swung in a dangerous free-kick from the right and Sutton flicked on to the back post for Balde to head home from point-blank range.

The match lost its sparkle in the second half and was spoilt by too many interruptions and injuries. But with five minutes left Celtic secured the victory with Hartson scoring his sixth goal in four games after bundling home Steve Guppy's corner from close range.

LIVINGSTON: Culkin, Brinquin, Rubio, Andrews, Santini, Quino, Toure-Maman, Bingham (Tosh 56), Fernandez (Lowndes 64), Xausa (Aurellio 70), Wilson. Subs Not Used: McEwan, Caputo.

CELTIC: Douglas, Valgaeren, Balde, Mjallby, McNamara, Sylla, Petrov, Moravcik (Lennon 68), Guppy, Sutton, Hartson. Subs Not Used: Gould, Larsson, Petta, Tebily. Goals: Balde 36, Hartson 85.

Referee: K Clarke (Scotland).