Pundits on Premier Sports called Madden’s performance in the Scottish Cup Semi Final “embarrassing” and “shambolic”. Whilst my Yorkshire Whistler series was intended to review SPFL matches, such was the furore around this particular match performance, I asked if he’d review the whole game. Very kindly he said yes, and here are the considerations of … [continue reading]
The Rangers
Paradise Lost to Tiny Margins
Semi-final defeats can be considered most cruel. At least defeat in a final is presaged with built up and excitement for the end of season finale. And let’s be honest, letting your main rival have a shot at a Cup is bound to sting. Notwithstanding the discomfort then, I always try and come back to … [continue reading]
The Taming of the Blues
The Derby last Sunday unfurled in the manner of the classic three act play. (That is my artifice and I am sticking to it). Act One In which the Evil King exerts a brutal dominance! Gasp! Horror! Celtic’s first 7 minutes were, to use technical football parlance, a bit rubbish. With so much riding on … [continue reading]
Honest Mistakes – Derby Special – Willie Takes A Stand
The Virtual VAR series featuring the Yorkshire Whistler casts their eye over the Glasgow Derby, The Rangers 1, Celtic 2. Willie Collum was chosen for this one. BACKGROUND – I outlined a framework to assess the impact of Honest Mistakes in the SPFL. 03/04/22 The Rangers vs Celtic Incident 1 Referee Willie Collum Game Minute … [continue reading]
Tommy Gun
The Derby win was built upon improving cohesion (well, after the 3rd minute!) and a disciplined defensive team performance. The first half was for craft. The second for graft. Pivotal to the come back was Celtic’s Australian play maker Rogic. This provides an interesting comparison opportunity as the much-heralded Ramsey was thrown into their team. … [continue reading]
The Ice Cool Fridge
The victory at Ibrox was really more about team resolve and many players doing their jobs, within a system that flexed to the game state. However, convention dictates their has to be a Bhoy of the Match as I cringingly call my own virtual bottle of Bells (other substandard blended drinks are available). The American … [continue reading]
Derby Day Data
Here are the match stats from the Derby on Sunday. Highlights Note there are some disparities in xG based on data provider. Statsbomb claim the most sophisticated model. I believe my own overstates The Rangers chances compared to that one due to the pressure being applied and the height of the ball for e.g. Roofe’s … [continue reading]
Derby Form – Tale of the Tape
A cliché often applied to Derby matches is “form goes out the window”. Except of course it doesn’t (in my head that comes out like Abbey Clancy to Peter Crouch in the Paddy Power advert – other bookmakers are available). Form is crucial in these matches. See Celtic’s numerous hammerings in the Rodgers era, and … [continue reading]
Impact of Missing Morelos
The Rangers manager has confirmed Morelos’s absence from Sunday’s Derby. Undoubtedly a loss for the home side – he is their top scorer with 18 goals in 42 appearances. Is this a big positive for Celtic? In 18 matches versus Celtic in the 5 seasons he has been in Scottish football, here are Morelos’s goal … [continue reading]
Who Has The Creative Derby Edge?
In tight matches the ability to create chances under pressure is key. With the Derby approaching, which squad has the most creative threat? This chart is a hybrid of xA data taken from Opta/FotMob and Key Chances data from Statsbomb. Both are per 90m. I’ve included all full backs, midfielders, wingers and strikers likely to … [continue reading]