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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bankiebhoy
brilliant
even the Rod Stewart classic
Nancy Travis.
Miaoooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
Patria O Muerte says:
4 January, 2012 at 21:06
I’m sorry if you felt that I was ‘pontificating’ that wasn’t my intention.
My post was not directed at any individual who, as a result of financial restrictions, is unable to follow Celtic. My best mate, who stood beside me in the Jungle, then the Celtic end, then at Hampden and for the first few years at the refurbished Parkhead, no longer goes because he simply can’t afford it. He is one of the best Celtic supporters I’ve ever met, yes even though he can’t go and cheer on the team each week, he is still one of the best.
Attendance only matters when your heart is really in it. There are some I see at Celtic games now who behave and act like huns. I wasn’t claiming that I’m a better Tim than anyone else if you took that from my post then you’re misreading my intentions.
I’ll put your harsh words down to that.
bournesouprecipe says:
4 January, 2012 at 21:00
Yes it is a penalty, at professional level you will be deemed good enough to avoid accidents!
angelgabriel
thanks boss
happy new year fella
also…
Stephen Lawrence dramatisation on ITV3 now 9-11
PF Ayr 21:09
??????????? Wtf????????
Can’t believe somebody typed that horses@@t
My God
A global club or just for those who with inflated opinions of themselves allowed to comment???
Can’t believe I read that…
And you are normally one of the better posters, as is HT.
Still on the new year brandies???
POM
HT,
well said, respect.
Axe Murderer watched it last night for what must be the 50th time.
was travelling with 4 yanks, an argentian, an australian, a slovak a brazillian and two indians in China last year, all part of one team.
We passed a KFC , and the youngest yank said “man , i need some good old yankee food”
i told him i never eat it cos of the secret ingrediant added by sanders, and then when off on the rant.
later sent them all the dvd.
some of them get it.
so now we slip in a reference to it on nearly every call, much to the ignorance of our NY boss.
i am very immature, i know.
hamiltontim says:
4 January, 2012 at 20:49
very good post, but to discredit fellow celtic supporters is a bit much, i think some guys have left because of the downsizing, but it is not this in itself, its the feeling of hopelessness, the feeling that you cant go through even more hurt, the feeling of being short changed by those that look after the club. I have at various points felt all of these things.
i have had a sb on and off for years never once did my feelings for celtic change but other things have such as, employment status etc… i suspect most all with the celtic emotional connect are able to give it up, well maybe pat nevin
celtic are our team we are not celtic customers, there is no difference between celtic fan/ supporter, we are all the same, we sgare the same pain and excitment.
going to every games is a badge of honour for some, i cant go to every games, but i have financially supported my club to the tune of about 1,000 pound every year.
we all do it diffferently we all want the same and yes i want celtic to sign up some good players and to stop the downsizing, so shoot me.
bankiebhoy
One of my favourite ever films, watched it about a week ago.
“There’s a piper doon, there’s a piper doon!! Aw naw it’s awrite he’s just pissed!!”
Paul 67
Interesting stats on Jelavic’s goalscoring. I posted some stats last week about Rangers winning just one of their five SPL games where their possession fell below 49%.
Looking at that some more, they have now played 6 games where their possession was below 49% – W1 D2 L3. In those six games Jelavic has scored just one goal, compared to 11 in the other 14 games in which he’s played.
ASonOfDan
Had forgotten that Elbows hearing was tomorrow. We will be watching the verdict very closely i’m sure
The initial 2 game ban should be the minimum for him after his blatant elbowing of Graham Carey
HT
I’m away to cry myself tae sleep on ma huge pillah!
;)
Patria O
you may have misunderstood me
my point is
if you can afford a ST, have no work or family restrictions to attending , have no geographical difficulties …ie no good reason
then ..imo ..you choose not to have an ST and you therefore disenfranchise yourself
some of the biggest moaners about CFC never see the inside of CP
sure i can hear JCGE in the Bernabau
Tim Howard, Everton’s goalie scores magnificent goal from a long kick out….ball carried massively in the strong Goodison wind
HT
Maybe I misread your intention, you are 100% right, there are some who go to games who do not deserve to be called supporters.
My apologies for misreading your direction.
It was nothing personal, I sometimes just get fed up with the so called “credentials” required to be called a Celtic supporter.
And for the record I admire your contribution to the blog in general.
POM
stephbhoy says:
4 January, 2012 at 21:23
Mate if you read my post at 21:18 I hope it will address some of the points you’ve raised.
Hail Hail
Bankiebhoy
“That boys got a heid like an orange on a tooth pick!!”
hamiltontim says:
4 January, 2012 at 20:49
I doff my cap to you my good friend and you are, my good friend.
If I may steal a little bit:
…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 have had mine since 1976/1977 but I am a little older as you know.
“A season ticket is for life”, the words of a late cousin who died prematurely at the age of 38, his name, John Lowrie. He was a Bhoy like you and me, all he wanted to do was watch Celtic.
If I can indulge a little further:
…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…
Very well put, Fergus saved us and rightly takes his place in our folklore. There are, sadly too many Celtic fans who have fallen out of love with Celtic…you are correct they were and are not Celtic Supporters like you and me.
You, me and many thousands of Celtic Supporters ride the rollercoaster that is called Celtic.
My late Dad did not share my love of Celtic, simply as he was not into football. However, he was happy when I was watching Celtic, especially when we won, why, because he knew how happy it made me.
The last word to you and your Dad:
…“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 can actually hear you saying that to yours in years to come, just remember your Dad’s reaction when they respond like you did, I know you will…:)
God Bless.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
PF Ayr
Fair doos…..
I’m reading to much into some post…
Maybe me who’s still on the NY brandies…
:-)
Apologies to you and HT for misinterpretation
HH
POM
Paul 67
Dignity are prone to swinging high balls into the box and getting crosses in from wide areas , they are very economical with touches on the ball playng through midfield, which against incomptent defences will result in chaos in the box, when balls are played early.
We try and walk the ball in and therefore very rarely get OGs from cut backs and crosses.
Agreed that many teams are very compliant when facing dignity but I suspect the og count has more to do with sheer incompetence in SPL defences than blatant cheating. Craigan’s OG shows him up for what he is , a very poor professional footballer.
A more worrying concern for Dignity is that their style of play now is getting more archaic based on last weeks efforts at CP, therefore attempting to slot in a cheap foreign Bosman to adapt to the blood and snorters fitba is getting more difficult. Their default purchase therefore needs to be SPL fodder near the end of their contracts.
The SPL is very poor so Dignity could still make a fist of it this year ….. but the future in strictly football terms is dire for them, their biggest mistake in recent years was hunting LeGuen …… coming back to haunt them now!
TopoftheleaguelookingdownattherangersandtheonlyexplanationIcanfind….CFC
POM
no trouble mate
take care
Patria O Muerte says:
4 January, 2012 at 21:28
My original post was directed to ST. It’s intention was to point out that I fail to grasp how some people can be so miserable as Celtic supporters. I see it as an honour regardless of whether we are able to be there in person or not.
ST goes on about the Celtic board ad infinitum, that’s his right as a Celtic supporter. I just wish that he would take more enjoyment out of it mate.
Top Corner
Switched over from the City game last night at nine last night for a minute to watch Panorama and was hooked on it.
Was Mark Daly the BBC guy that done the Whyte documentary ?
I thought last nights documentary was superb.
A total waste of life. I lived in East London in the late Eighties for 3/4 years and loved it.Plenty nutcases,rouges etc,
but never did i come across barbaric racist thugs like that on the Mile End Road.
HT
An honour it is.
Hail Hail
Patria
Usual excuses from your type describing at length why you can’t see your way out of your own self obsessed little world and get your sorry, self indulgent arse over to Celtic Park.
Usual excuses from apologists. Kids, other commitments, finances, blah, blah, blah. Heard them all. What really angers me is that you take the time to criticise, completely unprovoked, an evidently true Celtic man like Hamilton Tim, who has clearly made sacrifices way beyond that which you are prepared to make.
It’s people like you who have tolerated the back of the bus mentality for far too long. Those days are gone forever so stand up and stop attacking others in a sad attempt to diminish you own inadequacies.
I am your official alcatrav tour guide and former gaurd, my name is John Johnstone, but everbody here calls me Vicky.
bournesouprecipe –
Officially, the rule is that any offence, be it hand ball or a trip, must be deliberate before it is deemed to be a free-kick or penalty. If a player is running with the ball and he accidentally trips over a chasing player’s leg, then technically it is not a foul as there was no intent. It is of course, up to the referee to make that judgmement, and it is often a very difficult call to make.
Lennybhoy
My friend thank you for those very kind words and for your continued support over the last few months, a true gentleman and a right good Tim!!
Saint Stivs says:
4 January, 2012 at 21:26
sure i can hear JCGE in the Bernabau
Think you might mean the Nou camp?
As it happens I thought I did hear the Real fans singing last night in their game.
HH
Axe Murderer,
queen mother on the dart board.
charlie tells me your a butcher, dae ye want a roll n sausage
the long wait is over says:
4 January, 2012 at 21:43
Saint Stivs says:
4 January, 2012 at 21:26
sure i can hear JCGE in the Bernabau
Think you might mean the Nou camp?
———-
trying to multi task, ironing, cqn, barca game & tv
doh
POM
No harm done buddy. Party at yours in May? :-))
axe murderer is very funny :-
“Look at the size of that boy’s heid. It’s like an orange on a toothpick.
No kidding. His heid’s like Sputnik. Spherical, but quite pointy in parts.”
3-0 Utd v Utd.
NUFC 3 MUFC 0
Whiskey and Waterface is ragging
it’s got it’s own eco-system