The 9 in a row parties were likely more subdued that we’d all like, but as James showed yesterday, this was a dominant Celtic season in the league to clinch the nine – no limping over the line.
Average Points
Ultimately Celtic won the league on points average – simply the number of points divided by matches played. And now that the nine have been played over different numbers of matches, it is a useful measure to compare each of the titles.
The Invincible season stands out, of course. Rodgers won 93% of the available points and it was the only time 100 points was breached. It is likely that this will never be repeated never mind bettered.
However, this season, Lennon’s Celtic were on course for the next best points average and at 89% of points won, had a shot at breaking 100 (101 if averages had been maintained).
By any measure this was a dominant Celtic season in the league.
Trending the Nine
The following shows the points % per season over the course of the nine, and a trend line is added in red.
This shows how points averages were in the slide under Deila before peaking spectacularly in Rodger’s first season. The following season saw that standard difficult to maintain before Lennon jumped the average forwards again this season.
Interesting to hear what the Old Firmitis sufferers make of this. There was a Rangers at the start and one at the end but the upward trend in overall points average is clear. Celtic have a structural hegemony over Scottish football 26 years in the making. I would suggest that is more of an influencing factor that any version of any one team.
Nine In A Row Managers
Celtic have had 3 managers over the course of their second nine.
How do performances compare? Let’s again look at average number of points won per match:
Rodgers, helped mainly by that incredible Invincible season, sneaks the lead by 0.02 points per game over Lennon.
I would posit that Lennon’s managerial performances were more consistent however. Rodger’s latter two seasons were below one of Deila’s by this measure.
Overall, it is credit to Lennon that he finished what he started when he declared “this is only the beginning”. We don’t know what shape the future will be for Scottish football but nothing can take that away from the manager.
Thanks Alan, very interesting stats. Particularly the points % per season. As you say, Ronny Deila’s numbers were better than BR’s 2nd season and the 3rd season shared with Neil Lennon, was about the same if I am reading your chart correctly. So, although the average points per match is a lot less, it only goes to show that different metrics can mean different things – in the eye of the beholder.
Thanks again.
Excellent work!