In tight matches the ability to create chances under pressure is key. With the Derby approaching, which squad has the most creative threat? This chart is a hybrid of xA data taken from Opta/FotMob and Key Chances data from Statsbomb. Both are per 90m. I’ve included all full backs, midfielders, wingers and strikers likely to … [continue reading]
A Lead into Temptation
The February derby at Celtic Park was a wonderful, raucous, pedal-to-the-metal, under the lights night for Celtic. Postecoglou’s new Celtic tore into Van Bronckhorst’s reigning Champions from the first minute and had established a 3-0 lead by half time. More importantly, Celtic had been utterly dominant playing the style of football the Australian espouses. By … [continue reading]
Another Country
If a week is a long time in football, last August seems lifetimes away. Context to August Derby The first Derby of the season was Postecoglou’s 11th match in charge. This was also the trickiest part of his reign so far. Immediate exit from the Champions League and a first match SPFL loss at Heart … [continue reading]
Random Willie
So, it is Willie Collum who will be the Man in Black for the crucial April Derby at Ibrox. Collum has refereed 16 SPFL top flight matches this season, the most alongside Madden and Walsh. This is his 5th Celtic match and 4th match adjudicating The Rangers. He was appointed to their 5-0 home win … [continue reading]
Defending the Left
You might have hoped for a political polemic in these troubling times. However, it is the left side of Celtic’s defence that exercises me today. Scottish football tends to be more direct that most. Outside the top two, sides average 76 long balls per 90 minutes. Celtic average 42. How to beat Celtic? On limited … [continue reading]
Honest Mistakes – SPFL Week 31
We bring the SFPL season up to date as regards our Virtual VAR series featuring the Yorkshire Whistler. This covers Celtic’s win over Ross County, and another close call for The Rangers at Dens Park. My thanks as always to the Yorkshire Whistler. BACKGROUND – I outlined a framework to assess the impact of Honest … [continue reading]
Striking Form At The Right Time
It seems Furuhashi is back in contention and near to full fitness if not match sharpness. In all matches, Maeda has 0.52 goals per 90m and Giakoumakis 0.85. Both are close to their respective xG and both scored in the recent win over Ross County. Based on fitness alone, I would be surprised if Furuhashi … [continue reading]
Good-Bad-Lucky-Unlucky – Away With the Fairies!
Ahead of the next match, and in advance of the run in to the league, let’s take a look at home the SPFL teams are faring as regards goals for and against versus expected. Yes, it is time for the good/bad, lucky/unlucky graph! What does all that mean? Here are the definitions: Bad and Unlucky … [continue reading]
Injury Burden Eases for Run In
In his latest Celtic TV interview, Postecoglou makes it clear this is the final run in, and there is a mixed approach to players’ fitness regimes before the next match. Some are on international duty, some remaining at Celtic have been granted some down time and family time, and some are hard at it on … [continue reading]
The Masked Destroyer
On the latest Huddle Breakdown podcast (please subscribe), @celtic_martin asked a seemingly flippant question “Statistically, is McGregor better with or without the mask?”. Now, while the wearing of the mask may, in our heads, bestow magical super powers (“What!!!!! It’s Callum McGregor under that mask, I thought it was you, Masked Destroyer?”), the prosaic reality … [continue reading]