Livingston ... 0 Celtic ... 2: Two more goals from the irrepressible Henrik Larsson moved Celtic back to the top of the Premier League yesterday but they left Almondvale hoping that their victory over Livingston had not come at too high a price.

The Swede's early penalty and late solo effort ensured Martin O'Neill's team leapfrogged their old rivals Rangers, but an injury to Stilian Petrov in the build-up to the penalty left the Bulgarian needing 16 stitches in a facial wound.

O'Neill is hopeful his influential midfielder will be fit for Thursday's UEFA Cup tie against Celta Vigo.

"He certainly looks a bit dazed at the moment," said the Celtic manager. "He had seven stitches on the outside of his mouth and nine inside and we now have to hope there will be no infection."

So it was good and possibly bad news for the champions, who never looked entirely at ease.

Livingston hit the bar through Marvin Andrews after 78 minutes and Robert Douglas made a decent save to deny substitute Rolando Zarate three minutes later when a goal could have given the home team a point.

Instead of making it 1-1, however, Livingston gave Larsson time and space to run at Oscar Rubio, who helped the Swede's cause by slipping at the crucial moment. Scotland's top scorer dispatched the ball beyond Javier Sanchez Broto and the game was up.

Celtic on balance deserved the three points after a first half in which they impressed. They opened the scoring in controversial circumstances after just five minutes when a careless clearance from Broto allowed them to advance in numbers. Petrov managed to get the ball across to Paul Lambert despite the sickening collision with Andrews and the Parkhead captain scored only to realise that referee Stuart Dougal had already awarded a penalty.

There was consternation as medics treated Petrov, but as the fuss died down Larsson stepped up to put Celtic ahead.

With Jackie McNamara on for Petrov, Celtic could have added two or three more goals but for Broto's agility.

"I don't think the Celta Vigo spy would be quaking in his boots because we can play much better," conceded O'Neill.

LIVINGSTON: Broto, Brinquin, Rubio, Andrews, Bollan, Bahoken, Makel, Quino (Dadi 66), Toure-Maman, Wilson (Zarate 74), Bingham. Subs Not Used: McEwan, O'Brien, Camacho. Booked: Bahoken.

CELTIC: Douglas, Valgaeren, Balde, Laursen, Sylla, Thompson, Lambert, Lennon, Petrov (McNamara 10), Larsson, Sutton. Subs Not Used: Gould, Hartson, Maloney, Crainey. Booked: Sutton, Laursen, Valgaeren. Goals: Larsson 6 pen, 83.

Referee: S Dougal (Scotland).