There are Celtic “fan” sites that lure you in with clickbait and sensationalist headlines, and there are those that simply regurgitate what others have produced, either the mainstream media or less forgivably, other Celtic fan sites. I hope you realise I am never the latter and on a certain cheeky level, only occasionally the former. … [continue reading]
Goalkeeping
Celtic’s Bane
The goalkeeping question is one of a long list of defensive conundrums for Postecoglou to resolve. With Barkas at fault in his only on target engagement versus Midtjylland, followed by poor positioning in conceding to West Ham United, his fierce critics are even more vociferous than normal. Goalkeeping data is similar to defending data. We … [continue reading]
Forster’s A Keeper
On the “A Celtic State of Mind” podcast I discussed whether Celtic should try and sign Forster permanently with Paul John Dykes. You can listen to that here. The Man of Many Returns As Paul pointed out, Forster may be the first Celt to sign four times for the club. His reappearance at the end … [continue reading]
The Wall Justified
The Big Wall is back at Celtic Park and has very quickly reminded us all what we were missing, especially in the crunch games. In May 19 I wrote The Undisputed Number One where I showed Bain had rightly kept the shirt from Gordon with stellar displays over the end of last season. I then … [continue reading]
The Undisputed Number One
It has been quite the transformation for Bain from unwanted at now relegated Dundee to number one for the eight-time champions and on the verge of another Treble. The biggest compliment is that there isn’t even a debate anymore concerning the goalkeeping position. Bain in on the majority of fans’ team sheets. Does the data … [continue reading]
The Fight for Number One
Since the winter break Bain has replaced Gordon as the Celtic Number One. This despite Gordon making 6 saves at Ibrox, a season high for a Celtic ‘keeper. I described in Life in the Old Gord Yet how Gordon was performing fine as a shot stopper. He was saving the shots he should. In the … [continue reading]
Life In The Old Gord Yet
Celtic are conceding less goals than last season, averaging 0.74 per game versus 0.89 last season. Many factors to this, but how is Gordon contributing to this improved defensive performance? Saves In the mainstream like Sky Sports the analysis of goalkeeping performance is restricted mainly to Save % – i.e. what percentage of shots on … [continue reading]
‘Keeper Conundrum
Celtic used three goalkeepers in the 2017/18 treble winning season. Overall Celtic conceded nearly a goal a game once again as in the last three seasons. Europe and Scotland provide different challenges however. The Glossary is a safe pair of hands regarding any unfamiliar terms. Appearances Celtic’s Number 1 remains the 35-year-old Gordon. He competed … [continue reading]
How Are We ‘Keeping?
Gordon reprises the “Astana out of box heading incident” – this one had a better outcome that in 2016! It’s the international break, and the transfer window is now shut (hurrah!). Celtic content is thin on the ground. So, as we are 11 games into the 2017/18 season, here is the first in a series … [continue reading]
Keeping Fine
In the second of the 2016/17 season reviews, I start at the back, with the goal keeper. I have already produced a feature on Craig Gordon, and I will not repeat it but request you read “Old Gord, New Tricks”. Gordon has been the Celtic first choice for the three seasons I have been collecting … [continue reading]