Article by James Dailey As I consume mainstream and fan-based Celtic-related media, I am constantly bombarded by “conventional wisdom” and provided with topics to analyze. Today’s subject is the often-repeated notion that Neil Lennon is a better and more pragmatic tactical manager than Brendan Rodgers- particularly in Europe. I believe much of this notion is … [continue reading]
Team Performance
Europe and Plastic Excuses
Defeat to Livingston was as abject as any in recent memory. To be comprehensively out fought and out thought by a team of players that would do well to hold their own in English League Two was an eye opener. Much has been made of playing on artificial surface and also of playing a few … [continue reading]
The Lennon Press
Under Rodgers, Celtic’s pressing effectiveness deteriorated season by season. With more emphasis on possession, or perhaps cumulative fatigue allied to the sheer number of games, it was less evident by season three. Lennon has reinvigorated Celtic’s press. Attacking Threat The starkest evidence is Passes Attempted Per Tackle (PAPT). Last season, Celtic’s opponents attempted 13.24 passes … [continue reading]
The (Partial) Death of Possession Football
A supposedly harrowing week ended with two comprehensives away victories. Success in Stockholm secured European football until year end. Triumph at Ibrox opened up an early SPFL lead, and punctured a seriously inflated Scottish media balloon. All good for Lennon and his new look side, but attained in a manner the Celtic support have not … [continue reading]
Return of the Seven
The Magnificent Seven theme rang out at Celtic Park for the first time since 15th May 2016 in Deila’s last game in charge. As a season opener, it was some statement from the champions. Needless to say, there were many numbers of interest! Suffering Saints As the season unfolds, it will become clearer whether Celtic … [continue reading]
History On Lennon’s Side
We are in the Second Golden Era of Celtic European history. The late 1970’s, 1980’and 1990’s were, for the most part, desperate for the Hoops. But Group Stage football has become the norm. The 2019/20 European adventure starts tonight for Celtic. And in Lennon, they have a manager with a history of Champions League Qualification. … [continue reading]
Celtic Count the Cost of Success
Celtic prepare for their first European Qualifier as Wimbledon still progresses, and already there are injury doubts. Bayo joins Rogic on the side lines. With a Treble Treble, and European Qualification become ever more elongated and arduous, are Celtic paying a price for success? Are Celtic simply playing too many games and having insufficient recovery … [continue reading]
The Defensive Hole Revealed
The rumour mill seems rife with defensive recruitment potential. And my goodness is that the correct priority! If we summarise 2018/19 defensive performances, the extent of the hole in the Celtic rear-guard becomes stark. The chart below maps DASR% and Possession Win %. These are both aggregated metrics. Defensive Action Success Rate % considers all … [continue reading]
Eight In A Row: League Goals Compared
How do the eight in a row champions compare season by season as far as goals for and against are concerned? This season’s tally of 77 saw the second lowest of the last eight years. And the lowest was last season. Which followed the highest, 106, all under Rodger’s watch (mainly). Rodger’s managed Celtic for … [continue reading]
Eight In A Row: League Points Compared
The 2018/19 data is in the can. Let’s take a look at Celtic’s 8 in a row as far as league points history is concerned. Points Per Title The highest points achieved during 8 in a row was 106 in 2016/17, the Invincible season. Lennon’s side racked up 99 in 2013/14, the only other season … [continue reading]