There was a little irony in Celtic’s return to the summit of the table yesterday afternoon.

As Brendan Rodgers’ side head into the international break on the back of a run of form that has elbowed all others sideways as they take their place at the top, there was cause to reflect that the point which took them there yesterday against Livingston was the most insipid of late.

Having gone into the game on the back of a run of form in which they had scored with abandon – in their previous five domestic games Rodgers’ side had netted 23 goals with just two in reply – the goalless draw against Gary Holt’s gutsy Livingston side was the least spectacular of them all.

There was a feeling in the second period when Australian midfielder Tom Rogic, who has been the undoing of many a stodgy defence, shuffled his feet and let fly only to be denied by a twisting save from Livingston goalkeeper Liam Kelly that the die was cast.

“I just knew as soon as he shifted it that there was a chance he was getting it on target because of the quality he has got,” said the stopper who was touted for international duty by his manager after his performance in the game. “I saw it late and went for it and thankfully I got something on it to take it over the bar.”

It was a recurring theme throughout the game. If it wasn’t Kelly it was one of the yellow shirts in front of him who threw themselves to block whatever came in their path.

A minute’s silence was impeccably observed for Remembrance Sunday before the game before the action got underway.

Celtic made just two changes from the team who beat Leipzig on Thursday night with goalkeeper Scott Bain back in for his first appearance since the Betfred League Cup semi-final against Hearts because of a hip injury to Craig Gordon and the luckless Kristoffer Ajer back in the starting line-up.

The Norwegian’s afternoon was prematurely ended because of a horror eye injury and he was forced off in obvious discomfort.

Celtic, despite being largely unchanged, could not find the verve and energy that was the hallmark of their Europa league display. Part of that could be attributed to the surface – the Parkhead side never tend to show up well on astroturf – and the fact that Livingston wouldn’t let them settle to play.

Indeed, in that opening period Bain was on hand to twice deny Declan Gallagher in quick succession after the Livingston player was allowed free headers in the box. Mikael Lustig too took a sore one in the early stages after blocking a ferocious Craig Halkett drive.

Striker Dolly Menga was a handful for the Celtic defence but after just 20 minutes of the game there was a strong suspicion that he ought not to have remained on the park for an incident at a corner between himself and Ryan Christie.

He escaped without sanction although may well find himself taking a call from the compliance officer if footage of the incident brought is reviewed.

In any case, it was the only real moment of note in what was a fairly staid opening period. Celtic had threatened to find their groove in the latter stages of the first half when winger James Forrest clipped the crossbar after Rogic had slipped an inviting ball through the Livingston defence while the midfielder had been involved shortly before that in the most fluid Celtic move of the half.

Forrest, Odsonne Edouard and Christie combined before Christie’s effort was blocked. Rogic’s rebound was deflected over the bar.

Referee Kevin Clancy drew the ire of Celtic as he blew the whistle on the opening period without allowing for a corner to be taken. The Parkhead side left the pitch nursing a sense of grievance but there was no available route for them to convert that frustration into a tangible return.

The second period was in keeping with the tone of the first; Livingston threatened a couple of times on the break with Menga at one stage finding himself breaking through. The afternoon would have taken on an interesting hue had the player who was fortunate to still be on the pitch made the breakthrough.

Lewis Morgan took over from James Forrest and forced another save from Kelly while Celtic stated to up the ante as the game drew to a close. Dedryck Boyata saw a header go wide from a corner but Livingston stood firm.

For Rodgers, though, the afternoon was offset by the fact that his side are back at the top of the table for the first time this season.

“I’ve been so pleased with the last seven weeks or so – the performance level,” said the Celtic manager. We were never going top reach the level today in terms of goals and creativity as the surface is really difficult for that.

“You add to that a team which defends really well and it was always going to be difficult for us. It’s a good point here on the back of all the games we’ve had.

“So we’ll take the positive from it of which there were a lot. Their keeper made some great saves. Had we won the game no one would be able to say we didn’t deserve to.

“You give credit to Livingston as well because the basics of the game they did well. They made us have to do them well. We both take a point and move on.

“It’s where we aim to be. This is a positive point for us especially after all the games we’ve had. In this period we’ve found some new players – the likes of Ryan Christie coming into the team and doing fantastic.

“Our form and our rhythm has been really positive.”