There are some interesting stats behind Celtic’s meteoric rise to the top of the league and Rangers equally spectacular collapse.
Prior to the 5th November Celtic had played 12 games, scoring 23 and conceding 12. Since then they have played and won 10 games, scoring 21 and conceding just 3 times. So there hasn’t really been a significant increase in goals scored per game, but there has been a massive improvement in the defensive figures. Nine different players have scored during this time with Hooper, Samaras and (despite injury) Stokes scoring three or more during this time.
By comparison, Rangers have scored 15 goals in their last 10 SPL games with the goals coming from six different sources. Nikica Jelavic is their only player to have scored more than twice but he needed penalty kicks to achieve this. This period corresponds to Steven Naismith’s absence from the team.
Incredibly, seven of Rangers 15 goals in these games have been either own goals or penalties. Dundee United, Dunfermline and Motherwell players have all scored for Rangers while Rangers have benefited from four penalties. In total these seven goals have earned Rangers six points. Only one of Rangers 25 goals prior to this period was a penalty and none were o.g.s, so their period of good fortune coincided with their period of greatest need, a recurrent theme in the Scottish game.
None of Celtic’s 44 SPL goals this season have been scored by opponents and only one has come from the penalty spot, not that we seem to keen to score penalties.
The figures demonstrate the importance of having a variety of players who can contribute goals on a consistent basis as key strikers are always liable to injury or loss of form. Hooper and Stokes have already missed chunks of this season and Georgios Samaras started the season in barren form.
Celtic’s figures are all the more stark considering their most prolific midfielder, Kris Commons, has failed to launch his season due to a frustrating few months of injuries. Goal-scoring midfielders are a precious breed.
I was surprised at how little appetite Nikica Jelavic appeared to have for the contest at Celtic Park last week but a return of 2 goals from 10 games indicates the problem may be well established. He spoke to a Croatian newspaper this week and – unlike his manager when asked about the player being sold this month – informed them he had no intentions of leaving Rangers and that he was “focussed on playing in Scotland”, although he did reference Rangers financial problems.
If Rangers are budgeting on selling Jelavic they may well find the player wants a piece of the action before agreeing to move on.
Thanks to BigchipsUK for the research on the SPL goal stats.
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Berbatov, He is a poor mans version of Samaras… :)
The Idiot
Are you perchance indentured the hun boss man or just
caught in a love fantasy the bondage dream of captive
servility and easy swoonish the strong armed tactics of
just another hun phony grandmaster whose japester
antics and not so petty dimunitions your status as a Tim
are used as such to deflect through rubbish hun humour
any suspicion held abroad that internal promotion is subject
to scrutiny the particular religious persuasion a potential
candidate whom unawares is likely still to be handicapped and
stultified by the singularly simple one horse law of Hundom.
HH
Prehaps in the changing room jellylegs rubber necked Whittakers £100k pm +bonus wage packet and thought EEEEHHH!!!!!!!!!!
Has anyone got a link to Terrys demolition call to snyde last night???
Have Man Utd brought their own ref?
Regards the tickets, supporters buses will have had their numbers in prior.
8000 away to Dunfermline! I think we can sell out a Semi-Final.
Releasing blocks? Never happened before so why now? I certainly did not want the section I got today, but had no choice as it stated no availability in everything else.
The 2 sections available were not even next to each other.
The Thunder is back!!
Away the Lads
Sorry if this has been mentioned today on a previous thread but was Sir Moonbeam not involved in buying land on
the cheap from Glasgow City Council which was due for development regards the commonwealth games ?
I sure I heard shortbread radio news on the way home from work saying there is now going to be a Police probe
into dodgy deals !
Shockerooneycfc
DenBaBa
with a Gerry Creaney finish. good goal.
Reds of Chesterman in trouble methinks.
Ba in the net
Some goal by Ba! Poor man’s version of Stokes right enough… :)
Lennybhoy
1-0 NUfc (ba)
online connection is no bad
any news of yer man Juhasz ?
this was from August last year….
“08/08/2011
Roland Juhasz is expected to sign for Rangers today.
The Hungarian international defender of RSC Anderlecht will probably head to Glasgow this Monday.
He already has a personal agreement with Rangers. Anderlecht, however, want 4 million euros for the defender, an amount that the Scottish champions seem willing to pay. Their need is urgent because they must submit to UEFA on Monday the list of players who will contest the Europa League. If Juhasz leaves, Anderlecht will try to find a replacement.”
Juhasz for RFC article – Aug 2011
Demba Ba has now scored 15 goals in his last 15 PL appearances for Newcastle
ba on loan from aberdeen ?
Elbows has his appeal tomorrow. It will be interesting to see the outcome after the outcry about the Aluko decision.
Will Aunt Sally once again make out the compliance officer is a muppet if it goes against rangers.
TC
He needs to be careful, with ole Brian Riggs about.
HT
Newky Broon 1 Boddingtons 0
ST
I’ve posted on here already that a striker in the Diawara/Carew mould would be a sensible acquisition in this transfer window. I don’t think there is the same urgency to get in a centre half as there is a much more settled look about that area of the team these days.
However, I think we’ll win the title regardless of whether we sign another striker.
I’m just perplexed at your venom towards the Celtic board. Yes they have been culpable in the past, especially in the ‘Willo’ window but I don’t let it take away from my enjoyment of supporting and following Celtic. Have they been complicit in the huns winning the last 3 titles? Without doubt but again it’s not going to detract from the pride I have when putting a green and white scarf around my neck every weekend.
I saw your post the other day about 4 friends who have recently given up their season tickets as a direct consequence of the lack of investment in the team. You stated that they had first made the commitment when Fergus took over and they now felt they could no longer give this financial promise as a result of downsizing.
I don’t want you to take this personally but I’m glad they’ve given up. Now I’m aware that I may take pelters for this but it’s the way that I feel. I’ve had a season ticket since the 1989/90 season. I’ve continued to buy one every year since despite great personal hardship at various times.
I’d like to thank you for your kind words at the end of your post. It’s been an emotional festive season but his faith in life has been a source of inspiration to me in his death. I’ll tell you a wee tale that ties all of this together.
When I continued following Celtic home and away whilst a student, many of my peers mocked me when I was unable to go on night’s out because all my cash had gone on tickets/totes/dues etc. I then sat and watched a TV programme which was based on a discussion between Celtic supporters in the aftermath of McCann’s takeover.
You can imagine my astonishment when sitting amongst this group of ‘respected’ Tims was one of the aforementioned peers. Fergus was brilliant for Celtic, he dragged us from the edge of the abyss and made us in to a club feared at home and abroad. But with this success came Celtic ‘fans’ not Celtic ‘supporters’. Now I don’t know where that guy is now but I doubt very much that he still attends as frequently as he once claimed. Certainly he won’t get the same enjoyment out of Celtic winning as I do. I know this because it’s in my blood.
When going up to receive my degree certificate upon graduating I was embarrassed to return to my parents, not with the expected piece of parchment but with a letter inside the elaborately decorated tube.
I had to explain to my mum and dad that I wouldn’t be receiving it until I had paid my outstanding hall fees.
“What have you spent all your money on?” enquired my da.
When I replied, “Celtic” he ruffled my hair and said with real pride,
“That’s my Bhoy!”
I’ll be there, and so will thousands of others, when Lawell and Desmond are long gone.
bsr
right over my head
what’s that mean?
am a bit thick
:)
Is Gerry Francis the secret child of Peter Stringfellow?
hamiltontim
inspirational post !
thankyou
Hamiltontim
Total respect,great post.HH.
Top Corner ….me too…!!!!
Anybody know, if a player accidentally brings another player down in the box – Should it still be a penalty?
TopCorner says:
4 January, 2012 at 20:38
As you ask my friend; this is the most up to-date information I have.
Defenders, we have definitely scouted Roland Juhasz and Jonas Ivens, apparently the Belgian market is deemed a good area following the success of Victor. Ivens I hear would be the more affordable option. Luke Chambers was looked at last year.
Goal-Keepers, Gordon was of interest to us in the summer but too rich. It was suggested then that a Bosman move could be made and I believe Gordon indicated he would be receptive to a move North. However, the good form by Fraser has given food for thought. Watch this space.
Strikers, Diawara, Rhodes, Piqounne (spl) all of interest, although I understand the latter has ended. Sandanza also of interest who could still arrive depending what happens. I hear that Sandanza would prefer the East side of the City.
There is other wee bits I cannot add but the above is a fair summary, I think.
That is as about as much as I can share with you mate, just what I hear. Usually not far away with what I am told. However, I will stress I am not claiming that any of it will happen.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
HT
I just wish there were more like you mi amigo.
HH
Soal
And a badger
Hamiltontim
I’ve been going since 1977, season ticket holder till 2003, lost my job choosing to go to the Seville run while avoiding work to travel abroad, had kids in 2005 which limited my availability on weekends, get to as many games as I can when my kids and finance can afford me the luxury.
Sorry we all can’t all match up to your 12 stations of the cross to Celtic supporting Vallhala….
It’s nothing personal but those type of self pontificating rants just bore me.
Each to their own and all that. Wish we could all be as justified as you.
Me? I just hope I’m alive and healthy when DD AND PL are gone.
Millions of supporters out there, the world over.
And they won’t be at the next game. For whatever reason.
Hail Hail
POM
Toon 2 Mancs 0
Just read the local hatches matches and dispatches in the local paper. One caught my eye was. The service will conducted by the Right Reverend Roddy Dick. <);)o)
Hamiltontim.
For what it’s worth you’re one of my favorite posters. Glad to know that when I stand in paradise there are thousands like you standing beside me. Hail hail
Daily Mail online……….”SFA to fast track McCullochs Appeal” Are they trying to be funny? Doubt Beram Kayal will be laughing.
Good old SFA eh?
There’s fast tracking and there’s…………..er, ……fast tracking.
Belated happy new year to all cqners. I hope it brings you all health and happiness.
hamiltontim
excellent
you put many to shame
imo no ST (unless you have a vg reason for not..)you are disenfranchised and have little place to comment on CFC
Nakamuraesque goal from Kabaye. Brilliant.
TopCorner
Got your reply the other night about films on the box.Cheers.
Came home from work and the current Mrs Gabriel had deleted a host of stuff taped from
the Sky planner but not The Lavender Hill Mob !!.HH
What a goal. 2-0,the geordies.
thanks Lennybhoy
very kind of you
here’s hopin
:)
So I married an Axe Murderer……
Gold…..
Heid, move!