Celtic are clear favourites to extend their lead over The Rangers to 13 points on Sunday. Do the numbers support the optimism? Tale of the Tape If we look at Celtic’s home SPFL form and The Rangers away form, the trends suggest Hooped joy: Celtic have a near perfect home record but that one blemish … [continue reading]
Match Preview
Tough Selection Choices. How The Numbers Help.
Rodger’s has a number of prickly decisions to make as regards the line up for the end of year Glasgow Derby. As always, I’ll let the numbers guide us. Goalkeeper Gordon hasn’t saved a shot since 14:07 on 16th December away at Hibernian. A supine Motherwell was followed by Bain watch against Dundee. Against the … [continue reading]
The Rangers Battle Constant Change and Reverting to the Mean
Celtic enter the last game of 2018 with a three-point lead and a game in hand in the SPFL. Once more, the major performance goals have been met: European football after New Year League Cup triumph Top of the league Yet overall performance metrics remain stagnant (Rodgers is matching last season’s 70% Points %) due … [continue reading]
Leadership Challenge
A week on from Murrayfield, Hearts must take on the Champions again in the wide open and manicured acres of Celtic Park. Their players looked visibly spooked by the Celtic second half onslaught in the League Cup Semi Final. More concerningly, the Jambos seemed exhausted as they were run to ground by a much fitter … [continue reading]
Deejected
Celtic head to Dens to face a Dundee side hitherto having a horrible season. The numbers provide little succour to new manager McIntyre. But….football. Dundee have their share of possession, averaging 50% per game. Hibs averaged 53% and restricted Celtic to 58% possession – 10% below the champion’s average. At home Dundee are W0 L5. … [continue reading]
Green and White All Over
Celtic stare longingly up at Hibs, 1 point ahead of them in the league table. Hibs were by a distance Celtic’s most difficult domestic opponents last season. It should be a great game. How have Hibs performed this season? (When was the last time two sides who won 6-0 in their previous league match have … [continue reading]
Finding Hope for Hot and Bothered Celtic
In the heat of Athens Celtic’s Champions League qualifying odyssey continues. A chance to enter Celtic mythology awaits this group of players. On and off the park it has been it has been the most trying week of Rodger’s Celtic reign. That must be put aside, and focus must be on the first XI of … [continue reading]
Celtic Adapt (Just) In Time
Celtic had to come from 0-1 down to Rosenborg. It is to Rodger’s credit he changed the Celtic attacking shape. But this had contributed to the Hoops deficit. Celtic set out with Forrest just behind Edouard to mimic the shape given by Edouard and Dembele against Alashkert. This meant Sinclair was high and wide on … [continue reading]
Familiar Foes for Fleet Footed Celtic
The Champions League money is such that smaller leagues can get distorted. Multiple year winners are common throughout the Champions route to the group stages. Therefore, for Celtic, the list of potential opponents becomes familiar. Last season Celtic competed against Astana for the second year in a row. And this year for the second competition … [continue reading]
Focus On Motherwell
In the third of the Scottish Cup Final previews, I look in detail at how Motherwell compare to the other SPFL sides in terms of their style of play. The Glossary already has its name engraved on the trophy. For a very detailed tactical preview I once again recommend the excellent @thetenspace on the new … [continue reading]