There are only nine occasions a Celtic player has achieved 20% or more conversion rate from all shots since my records started in 2014-15. On two of those occasions, the player was Kyogo Furuhashi and three of those occasions were last season. Here are the times a 20% all-shot conversion rate has been achieved (midfielders … [continue reading]
Giakoumakis
Oh’s Challenge
With Giorgos Giakoumakis leaving, I thought I’d share the numbers on goals and expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes. The Greek scored 26 goals in 52 appearances and was an excellent fit for the requirements of a striker in Ange Postecoglou’s system. Fanfare over, here it is (data from this season – all competitions): Note … [continue reading]
Super Sub Giakoumakis
All the signs are that Giorgos Giakoumakis may not be a Celtic player come the end of the window. Whether the full story will ever emerge is unknown but my understanding is that his agent was exploring options regarding improving his contract but could not reach agreement with Celtic. As SPFL joint top scorer last … [continue reading]
Five Sub Rule Brings Unexpected Dividend
The five substitutes rule was introduced during the COVID-19 impacted seasons to help teams manage their squads on the understanding that many may be impacted by the disease in some way and to allow the flexibility to better manage player wellbeing. I was surprised this arrangement was taken on in Scottish football as a permanent … [continue reading]
Giakoumakis, Juranovic and Occam’s Razor
Novacula Occami or Occam’s Razor is a principle that the simplest explanation is often the most likely to be correct. It is a principle applied to problem solving. The problem many Celtic supporters are trying to solve is why the club would seemingly sell two valued first team players so cheaply. Firstly, global go-to transfer … [continue reading]
Economy of Outcome
The extent to which style of play versus player attributes influence the data each player generates is a theme I will return to many times over the Age of Ange. Nowhere is this starker than in the striking position. Celtic have been blessed with the abilities of Dembele and Edouard over recent seasons. Griffiths scored … [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]
Front Three for Ibrox?
The match against Ross County was difficult to draw conclusions from given the early sending off. Also, with the score already being 3-0, the very one-sided nature of the contest allied to the fact Celtic were happy to see out the game and the Staggies content not to get totally hammered. However, the front three … [continue reading]
The One Touch Wonder
Another hattrick, and now 12 goals in the equivalent of 12.84 completed 90 minutes. Giakoumakis has come along way since that penalty miss at home to Livingston. Thoughts maybe turn to “how can he be dropped even if Furuhashi is fit?”. That is a question for another day, for now let’s enjoy a sparkling start … [continue reading]