The desire is to see continual improvement but how measure it? Using the defensive metrics Defensive Action Success Rate % (DASR%) and Possession Win % and comparing last season to this, we can see how the defenders have improved against those key measures. The analysis is restricted to those who played over 900 minutes AND … [continue reading]
End of Season Report Card
Edouard Belies Fee Pressure
Edouard’s first season as a regular starter in his career ended with a Cup Final and Treble Treble winning double against Heart of Midlothian. The £9 million man has arrived. 2018/19 Appearances After 17 appearances for FC Toulouse and 30 for Celtic on loan last season, Edouard has been the number one striker for the … [continue reading]
Glimpses Of Gold In The Gloom For Griffiths
A season where football was not at the forefront of his mind ended with Griffiths completing a mere four 90-minute matches but still scoring a Griffiths-esque 6 goals. But it is a long time since the 40 goal season under Deila. 2018/19 Appearances Griffiths missed a total of 41 matches due to injury and illness. … [continue reading]
Johnston: Academy Breakout of the Year
This season’s academy breakout was Johnston. Mainly a wide attacker, he was asked to lead the line at Ibrox at New Year and some remember that rather than the string of performances that saw him establish himself in the first team squad. 2018/19 Appearances With a mere 230 minutes banked prior to this season, the … [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]
Forrest Maintains An Impressive Body Of Work
A trio of personal awards supplemented the team Treble Treble as Forrest completed the most successful season of his career. Arguably most importantly, he is also the Celtic By Numbers Bhoy of the Season! 2018/19 Appearances There was a time Forrest was considered injury prone. He has now completed over 30 league games in two … [continue reading]
Brown: Growing Old Gracefully
Scott Brown is already Celtic’s second most successful captain in the year we lost their first. 19 medals are in his collection from over 500 matches. A trophy every 27 games. But we worry that as he moves into his mid-30s, and with an all-action career behind him, how much is left to give? Let’s … [continue reading]
McGregor: The Marathon Man
McGregor’s marathon season finally ended in Brussels on Tuesday 11th June. After his 69th appearance for club and country since the 10th July in Alashkert, a short break finally arrived. 69 matches in 337 days is a match every 4.9 days. What to make of it all? As it is his birthday today, here is … [continue reading]
Simunovic Comes Of Age
Simunovic was a big money signing by Celtic’s standards but four seasons in, he has never really been a nailed-on first choice. That changed as the Triple Treble was secured. Has Simunovic come of age? 2018/19 Appearances Now 24, Simunovic is still a young defender. Each season he has been hampered by injury and has … [continue reading]
Tierney Soldiers On
Tierney finished the season in the operating theatre. His own Triple Treble of Young Player of the Year awards (PFA Scotland, Football Writers and Celtic) ended. He was hampered all season with hip issues and I expected his Report Card to evidence significant regression over last season. So, has it? 2018/19 Appearances This season has … [continue reading]