Fitting recessed spot lights back in place after plastering

[Redondo]

A plasterer has recently redone my landing ceiling and in doing so, needed to pull the spotlights through first. I now have an issue with getting them back in. The metal fixtures are extremely tightly loaded and I can only see that using brute force or some kind of tool would work. I'm inclined to ask the plasterer back to put them in, in case I damage the plaster myself but before doing so, am I missing anything obvious?

 

[Wayners]

I normally just push with finger and plaster snaps off easy.
120 grade sandpaper or near as you have if needed.

Can use a old kitchen knife or Stanley knife to cut around

 

[foxhole]

A plasterer has recently redone my landing ceiling and in doing so, needed to pull the spotlights through first. I now have an issue with getting them back in. The metal fixtures are extremely tightly loaded and I can only see that using brute force or some kind of tool would work. I'm inclined to ask the plasterer back to put them in, in case I damage the plaster myself but before doing so, am I missing anything obvious?

They just push up into ceiling, what method are you using?