There can be no denying Celtic’s current form is poor compared to previous trophy-laden seasons. I will look at a range of key performance indicators to see where it might be going wrong. I have plotted each metric per game back to the start of last season (2017/18). I did not include the 2016/17 season … [continue reading]
Opposition Performance
Celtic Due Shot Conversion Uplift
Using shot data to compare and contrast Celtic and The Rangers seasons’ so far and what it might mean for the upcoming Glasgow Derby. Firstly, shot data for The Rangers has been gleaned from the UEFA statistics and the BBC site. Celtic data is all my own. Result Success Both clubs have made it to … [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]
Which Opponents Are ImPressing?
Last season Celtic scored 36 goals from fast breaks – 28% of all goals. Celtic’s 36 fast break goals came from 121 shots – 30% of fast break shots resulted in goals. Their opponents scored 15 from fast breaks, also 28% of goals conceded. 46 shots came from fast breaks meaning 33% of opponents fast … [continue reading]
Letting The Side Down
Players are human, and mistakes will occur. Clearly you want your players to make as few mistakes as possible, but they do happen so what has been the impact of defensive errors this season? The Glossary is concentration and sound positioning personified. Of all the data points I collect, Defensive errors are identified the most … [continue reading]
March Derby Preview
Celtic head to Ibrox hoping to make it 4 wins in a row under Rodgers. It is the third meeting of the season, but there are three more to fit before the seasons end. Can the numbers guide us as to how it will go? The Glossary can be relied upon to keep the heid … [continue reading]
69
Celtic have established a British record for unbeaten domestic matches with 69. The new landmark was set prior to Celtic’s 4-0 defeat to Heart of Midlothian on Sunday 17th December. This was their first defeat since 11th May 2016, 2-1 vs St Johnstone. The record traversed three seasons and two managers – Ronnie Deila (1 … [continue reading]
Scouting Report: John McGinn, Hibernian
John McGinn is a 22-year-old central midfield player. He is contracted to Hibernian until the end of the 2019 season. Transfermarkt values him at €550,000. This report considers McGinn’s performance against Celtic 30th September 2017. Unfamiliar terms (CAT Score, “packing”, xA, xSC etc) can be resolved in my de-discombobulater, also known as a Glossary. Defensive … [continue reading]
Celtic On The Brink, Lennon Blinks
A bold performance from Hibernian came with 10 minutes of ending Celtic’s long unbeaten domestic run. A rare pair of double goal performances from McGregor and McGinn ensured a share of the points. Celtic’s 18th match of the season, and on the back of a Champions League success in Belgium, with injuries sustained to Brown … [continue reading]
The Margins of Error
A rare and precious away win, and clean sheet, in Champions League football for Celtic. Anderlecht handed Celtic the initiative, and the Scottish Champions crafted a mature and decisive performance. A reminder to consult the Glossary if any terms are causing befuddlement. Dour Belgians There is a place called Dour in the Walloon area of … [continue reading]