…… dealt with in due course! The final piece analysing Celtic’s 2-0 win at Ibrox considers the attacking performances. An overall tactical and team performance assessment can be found here-> Derby Delight for Dominant Celtic An assessment of defensive performances can be found here-> Boyata and Simunovic Reunited: Derby Defensive Analysis Green Bhoy Packers The … [continue reading]
Match Summary
Boyata and Simunovic Reunited: Derby Defensive Analysis
Considering player defensive performances in the 2-0 Derby win over The Rangers. (Relatively) Easy Money Firstly, Gordon had little to do to earn his win bonus. He caught 2 crosses and made one save, but it was a key defensive action. The Expected Goal model I use calculates the goalkeeper’s xG separately. From Gordon’s perspective, … [continue reading]
Derby Delight for Dominant Celtic
A win of the 57th consecutive unbeaten variety means Celtic head to Belgium in good spirits. The ring rusty centre back pairing of Boyata and Simunovic were given a 90-minute workout and a first outing together of the season. Elsewhere, Rodgers deployed an attacking line up with Rogic preferred to a more orthodox central midfielder, and … [continue reading]
The Boa Constrictor and the Cobra
Further evidence of the continuing evolution of Celtic into the model Rodger’s envisages was on display at Dens Park as Celtic comfortably progressed to the Betfred Cup semi-finals with a 4-0 victory. Stage one of this evolution was to improve ball retention and possession control. Then, assimilate ideas and execution around an aggressive high press … [continue reading]
Finding Light in Dark Places
As sobering an experience as a 0-5 home defeat is, in the modern vernacular we must “take the positives”. Having captured all the data, believe me, I’ve looked damned hard! There are three performances to draw attention to. Tierney On the defensive side, Tierney was very much stationed at left back, wary of the fast … [continue reading]
Gone in 45
The growing disparities at the heart of European football were exposed in many places over the week, and none more than at Celtic Park where the Qatari backed Parisians inflicted Celtic’s record European home defeat, and record home defeat since 1895 in all competitions. The game was gone by the 40th minute when Cavani’s penalty … [continue reading]
Pitch Perfect Celtic Prepare For Paris
A fine away win at an in-form Hamilton Academical boosted Celtic confidence for what will be a very different match in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain. The Dangers of Confidence Hamilton Academical had made a sparkling start to the season. Early relegation favourites, 7 points and 8 goals in their last three league matches, … [continue reading]
The Saints Stubborn but McGregor is Prodigal Son
An admirably organised and occasionally dangerous St Johnstone came as close as anyone to ending Celtic’s unbeaten domestic record; this now stands at 53 unbeaten. Celtic’s attacking became relentless in the final 22 minutes although it was St Johnstone who had the last chance with a Johnstone header. The Wright Approach Many sides have attempted … [continue reading]
Thrice Bitton
“You did scout Sinclair, didn’t you?” “Scout Sinclair? I thought you said SCOTT Sinclair!” All you want is the dullest of 0-0 draws, perhaps nick an away goal, so you can talk about maturity, calmness, development and being a good European side. And you get a 7-goal thriller with defensive calamities thrown in. Football, eh? … [continue reading]
Killie Carpeted
“See that empty stand?” “Aye” “The pie stall is just behind it” Celtic overcame the slow and awkward (I’m talking about the 4G pitch, not the Kilmarnock centre forward!) to register another clean sheet and away win. The 19-year-old defence once again proved impregnable. Happy to keep possession and rack up a season high 800 … [continue reading]