By James Dailey Saturday’s 5-0 result versus St. Mirren was a continuation of domestic dominance this season. Advanced analytics and related statistics have more value over larger sample sizes, as normal variance in a single game, or even a group of games, can deviate significantly from underlying metrics. Clearly a 5-0 result is better than … [continue reading]
Christie
Griffiths Turns The Corner
Two goals in consecutive games from corner passes was rare from Celtic in the recent Kilmarnock and Ross County ties. One was assisted by McGregor but it is Christie and now Griffiths that dominate free kick and corner duties over the season. Celtic Set Piece Summary Celtic have scored 7 times direct from set piece … [continue reading]
Midfield Red Flags
The mid term reports focus now on the midfield and wingers. I covered Brown in Brown: A Never Ending Story as he has a unique role in the side. Let’s now consider the rest of the midfield. PS I will include Brown in this for completeness. Celtic’s midfield and wide attack has largely been about … [continue reading]
Christie The Creative Spark
Celtic are creating slightly more chances than last season. I take an early season look at Expected and Actual Assists. Assists / Expected Assists Christie and Forrest lead the way with 6 assists each. Edouard and Johnston have 5 and Ntcham 4 This suggests that Lennon’s Celtic are an equal creative threat from all of … [continue reading]
Christie Leads The Scoring, But For How Long?
With 41 goals in 13 matches, Celtic have started the second Lennon era in spectacular fashion. As I covered in The (Partial) Death of Possession Football, Lennonball involves more shots, a bit of regression back towards the xG mean, slight increase in chance creation and a whole lotta conversion rate joy! Let’s look at the … [continue reading]
Familiar Failings As Celtic Crash Out
Elimination from the Champions League will cast a long shadow over Celtic’s season. Much remains to play for, of course, but the errors here need to be openly discussed and avoided in future. I will say from the outset I have been a consistent critic of Celtic’s squad management over a number of seasons. This … [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]
Christie, Christie Burning Bright
It seemed like Christie had no Celtic career. Then a freakish run of injuries forced Rodgers to play him in central midfield. For a brief period, Celtic blossomed. Then severe injury curtailed Christie’s season once again. But when he burned, bhoy was it bright. For this end of season Report Card there is no 2017/18 … [continue reading]
Celtic By Numbers Player of the Year 2018/19
The Celtic By Numbers Player of the Year is revealed! I have considered squad performances across Defending, Creativity and Goal Threat. Short List Firstly, whilst there are stellar performances across the squad, not all players have contributed equally in terms of appearances on the park. Quite simply, some have had more work to do than … [continue reading]
Midfield Tweak Brings Sixcess
Against St Johnstone Rodger’s made a subtle change to the midfield shape at half time counter intuitively withdrawing McGregor deeper. And it won the game, moving Celtic 6 points clear. At the half Celtic were utterly dominant in terms of possession. With 83% possession, seven Celtic players had completed 50 or more passes but only … [continue reading]