Against what will likely be a deep lying and defensive opponent tonight, Celtic players must seek out and exploit the limited space on offer. No Celtic player excels at this quite like Callum McGregor.
AEK Athens won their first Superleague for 24 years by scoring 50 goals in 30 matches and conceding a remarkable 12. They might know how to defend. Patience and intelligence will be needed.
The term Raumdeuter (loose translation: space interpreter) was coined almost exclusively for the Bayern Munich and German attacker Thomas Muller. Possessing many attributes, the key comparator to McGregor is an ability to find space in tight defences either to give or receive passes. It is a rare mental and physical attribute requiring game awareness and intelligence, allied to speed of thought, movement, passing and control. Like Muller, McGregor is exceptional in none of those attributes but is more often than not found in the “right” place.
McGregor has completed 90 minutes in each of the five matches so far but has never stayed in the same position throughout. Mainly a free floating “10” he has already played orthodox central midfield, right and left midfield and attacking right and left wing. Celtic do not have another attacking weapon so flexible and equally effective.
Wherever he operates there are some constants.
Despite being primarily an attacking player, McGregor rarely gives the ball away. He completes 92% of open play passes, more than any other attacker. And he completes a lot of passes – only Ajer, Brown and Ntcham have completed more this season than his 251. It must be pointed out that his set piece pass completion is only 52% and this remains a squad weakness.
Passing a lot as we know does not a deep defence break. To avoid the Horseshoe of Futility the passing must be quick, accurate allied to similarly swift movement and sure control. McGregor has successfully completed 4 passes into the Danger Zone – the area the width of the 6-yard box and breadth of the penalty box. Only Edouard on 5 has more. Such passes are key to providing high quality chances.
And no one has created more chances than McGregor this season. He leads the team with 12 including 2 assists putting him slightly behind his Expected Assists (xA) of 2.065. This season I also capture Secondary Assists – the pass before the chance creator. Only Ntcham has more Secondary Assists than McGregor who has 7.
But what of chance quality? Guess who the top man is so far this season? That’s right. Each chance McGregor creates has an xG of 0.172.
The overall ability to take and receive passes and complete dribbles that materially make a difference because they take opponents out the game is called Packing. This is scored based on the number of opponents taken out, and their position on the field (e.g. if they are a defender you score more). Ntcham is the Pack King which is no surprise if you follow my articles. But second? Yep, McGregor again with a Total Impect of 301. Well behind Ntcham who is on 449 but well ahead of 3rd placed Edouard on 280. 10% of McGregor’s passes take out at least one opponent.
He does try things – no player has given the ball away in the opponents final third than the 18 McGregor has lost. You must take risks in this position.
McGregor is not like Muller physically and is more of a ghost who drifts into the spaces almost unnoticed. Only Edouard (17) has had more possessions in the box this season than McGregor (16).
And then there is the goal threat. He is second again on 6 shots on target so far. His 11 shots total is bested only by Ntcham on 12. One goal so far reflects his xG total of 1.005.
McGregor will be critical for Celtic tonight possessing the ability to create high quality chances and get into goal scoring positions through his unrivalled ability to find and exploit the limited space at this level.