Clues behind Celtic rise and Rangers fall

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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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731 Comments

  1. Oh dear.

     

    Do you really believe it’s a grain of truth in the news from Guardian?

     

     

    Player Bothroyd with scoring ratio close to nil would be taken by Neil Lennon ? It’s all possible becouse QPR want great player Nikica Jelavic.

     

    Wait a minute. That deal can be done between Celtic and Rangers.

  2. THE EXILED TIM says:

     

    4 January, 2012 at 22:13

     

    Barcabhoy

     

     

    I noticed your post on RTC about CW/ newco leasing ibrox for 4mill pa, not unreasonable, but very unreasonable for a newco that may be in Div 3, and without euro money for at least 3 years, and with a greatly reduced support.

     

     

    If that scenario were to come into being, they would be lucky to get 1 mill per year.

     

     

    It all bodes well for the future.

     

     

    share

     

     

     

    ———————-

     

     

    I didnt make the point about the rent, that was someone else. I believe the main current issues are twofold. Are Rangers a going concern risk , and will Grant Thornton force the issue regarding the source of Whytes funds.

     

     

    Rangers are a Grant Thornton audit client. Grant Thornton have a responsibility to shareholders and creditors. They have an audit client who has introduced £18 million to remove the debt from Lloyds, that debt is now payable on demand to Whyte.

     

     

    Grant Thornton need to satisfy themselves that Rangers are not dependent on questionable funds for future survival. Whyte has NO track record of any significant wealth. Where did the £18 million come from? Without a bank overdraft or loan facility , Rangers need the financial support of Whyte to satisfy going concern questions.

     

     

    Does Whyte have the funds, ? Where did theses funds , if he has them, come from ?

     

     

    These are all questions that should be answered before any accounts are signed off.

  3. Ten Men Won The League says:

     

    4 January, 2012 at 22:35

     

     

    I was meaning if Diawara went elsewhere and Rhodes stayed at Huddersfield then a lone deal for the likes of Bothroyd or Roberts would do us until the summer. Agree the manager should be backed and we definately need a big strong striker signed this month, but January isn’t always the best time to get first choices.

  4. Just looking at the Everton team and noticed McFadden sitting on his rear on the bench. I bet he is regretting his decision to sign for Everton. His contract is up and the end of the season, so clubs can talk to him now… I wonder if anyone is.

  5. Zbyszek says:

     

    4 January, 2012 at 22:36

     

     

    Now, now don’t you be giving anyone at Celtic those ideas! :-)

     

     

    Bundoran Bhoy

     

     

    Lucky ghirl, enjoy your day out my friend.

  6. Lennybhoy

     

     

    There is no chance of it happening….

     

     

    Cheers mate, i am looking forward to it, need to get packing… I asked the misses and was told to F$%^ OFF…..I wonder why lol…

     

     

    Oh Mouldy has removed me for now

  7. SOAL

     

     

    Pretty sure Murphy scored either at the weekend or very recently. Don’t know any more than that.

  8. BIG-CUP-WINNERS on

    MaccyJohn says:

     

    4 January, 2012 at 22:40

     

     

    He’s a bit like those “missing” Celtic supporters being discussed earlier. If he came to Parkhead he’d rekindle his desire.

     

    Observing McFadden for Scotland shows his need for a cause, his passion makes him more than his talent. He needs a cause and he’d find it in green and white.

     

    .

     

    .

     

    .

     

    .

     

    Hibs beckon.

  9. Hamiltontim, i just wanted to start discussions about Transfer window being opened and that we need to strengthen and a striker is our weakest position

     

     

    transfer windows over last few years have been a general distarction to our CEO, who has put out spin ion cyberspace for us to forget about thaose nasty things, as transfer windows directly affect The CEO salary

     

     

    i was trying to get us back on track on keeping the transfer window on top of the Agenda

     

     

    Pps is the monday book club still go on at Hamilton palace???, i remember going there when i worked on shift at NEC in livingstone

     

     

     

    ST

  10. hamiltontim

     

     

    It’s like Radio Yerevan

     

     

    Question to Radio Yerevan:

     

    Is it true that Messi is not the best player in the world?

     

    Answer from Radio Yerevan: Yes it’s true. He got not even one offer from best Premier Legue while Jelavic got offers from every PL club.

     

     

    Question to Radio Yerevan:

     

    Is it true that Rangers could beat every financial troubles in the club?

     

    Answer from Radio Yerevan: Yes it’s true that they could beet every financial troubles in their club, but what would be the sense in going into financial troubles now?

  11. Barcabhoy

     

     

    I wouldn’t be converse with the financial side of things, hence my reluctance to post on RTC, I will leave that to the likes of your good self, but I do understand the responsibilities of GT.

     

     

    From what is happening re the accounts or the lack of activity re the accounts, GT is obviously reluctant to sign off said accounts, so where does that leave CW ?

     

     

    He is obviously stuck between the rock and the hard place, is he a patsy, is has he taken on more than he can cope with, is he a financial wizard, is he a deluded fool, he could be all of these things.

     

     

    I have seen you and others posting about where you think or have heard that his money is coming from, I have also heard a whisper that I am reluctant to air on a public forum, and GT will no doubt have heard the self same whispers.

     

     

    If the accounts are not signed off, where exactly does that leave rfc, or is CW not really bothered ?

     

     

    There has been much speculation re the goals of CW, and there has been even more speculation re who is behind the demise of rfc and their eventual goal, and as yet that is all it is, speculation.

     

     

    But I am in no doubt the end game is upon us.

     

     

    The powers that be in scotland, the sfa, the politicos, the police, the media are all preparing for the meltdown and the resultant carnage that will ensue.

     

     

    I just do not have any faith that they will be punished appropitatly for their deeds, but as ever time will tell.

     

     

    Sorry if I picked your post up wrong about the lease, but if it were to happen, no way would they ever achieve 4 mill pa.

  12. SydneyTim says:

     

    4 January, 2012 at 22:49

     

     

    ST

     

     

    I’m on record as saying a particular type of striker is a priority this window. We have been let down in the past through negligence on the part of the board, though DD is far more culpable than PL in that respect.

     

     

    Despite this my greatest emotion at this time, isn’t desperation or concern, but immense pride in how this young team have turned things around in such a remarkably short space of time.

     

     

    Hamilton Palace???

     

     

    I’ve lived through here since about 2000 and I’ve never been in it!! I’ve been in the over 25s place down the stairs from it and the best that I could say about it is at least some of the wumman had their tattoos spelled correctly!! :-))

  13. Requiring a bit of help from any techie heads …

     

     

    Since I started using a wireless router connection I have been unable to access my email account — as well as some other websites.

     

     

    Any ideas ?

     

     

    Cheers

  14. Zbyszek says:

     

    4 January, 2012 at 22:57

     

     

    I think that’s our Radio Clyde you’re talking about! :-))

  15. Árd Macha

     

     

    It’s no gonna happen, some Greek mob have offered 4.5 mill and he want’s to play in a quality league,that rules us out, we missed the chance in the summer I’m afraid.

  16. squire danaher on

    MaccyJohn says:

     

    4 January, 2012 at 22:40

     

     

    We did well to get rid of one ineffective pint-sized injury-prone crock in Maloney, why would we want to pay a wage to McFadden on the basis he cant get a game for Everton and might want to warm his behind on our bench.

     

     

    In any case who would you advocate leaving out for him?

     

     

    In a word, NO.

  17. My dear,dear,dear,friend.. Sydney Tim

     

     

    Pally.. We go back a while.

     

     

    And

     

     

    Ah enjoy yer comments…

     

     

    And that is all that is needed tae be said.

     

     

    So..

     

     

    Carry oan..

     

     

    Pally…

     

     

    This Blog needs mair guys like you , who follow

     

    their ain Drummer Bhoy.

     

     

    Kojo

     

    yer pal.. who likes ye aloater

  18. THE EXILED TIM says:

     

    4 January, 2012 at 23:17,

     

     

    Let me dream you-:).

     

     

    Seriously though I’m going to believe that we have already agreed a price and allowed him to stay at Maritimo as part of the deal.

     

     

    Caint ar ball leat (talk later)

     

     

    Oiche mhaith.

     

     

    Árd Macha

  19. Zbyszek,

     

     

    I do miss those jokes from Radio Yerewan.

     

    Always a laugh in the Bild Z.

     

    Glad to know the old comedians are still going strong.

     

    Could still learn a lot from Radio Clyde though!

  20. CultsBhoy loves being 1st on

    DELIGHTED to be top of the league at last

     

     

    Hope PL has learned the lesson – and he NAILS the RFC coffin by authorising the signature of a TOP player. The symbolism will do much to kill any lingering spirit among the Huns but will also restore the faith lost between CFC fans and Board…

     

     

    My guess is that if we don’t we will win the league anyway but why not just make sure and start preparing for Europe next year now?

  21. Time for bed, much to do.

     

     

    The young fella is moving back to scotland next week, Aberdeen to be precise in the search of a job, so if any of yous know of anything going I would appriciate any ideas, he has a CV that is up there with any 23 year old, works his baws off.

     

     

    HH

     

    KTF

  22. North.NorthWest of Neil Lennon on

    Can’t see Ki being sold, think of the marketing value he has for Celtic.

     

    He’s Korean footballer of the year and that country is football mad…..

  23. Well ghuys a belated New Years greetings to you all and who would have thought bar us the impossible was possible in 2011

     

     

    Keeping the faith worked wonders and our fans are second to none in that dept

     

     

    Sure there have been disagreements not so long ago we were staring at 15 behind but of course the baseline is we still believed and we knew the coach and team needed our support in a bad year for the club overall

     

     

    Support pays dividends not just in football but in society in general

     

     

    On another note

     

     

    Man City and Man U are finding out sometimes money does not guarantee you success

     

     

    How apt at a time when the only thing that’s keeping RFC in business is the last few willing buyers of their wares

     

     

    enjoy2012lhads.csc

  24. We should be looking to sell before we buy anymore IMO …..

     

    Murphy

     

    Rasmussen

     

    Juarez

     

    O’dea

     

    Mcginn

     

    Towell

     

    Thompson

     

    Cervi

     

    Zaluska

     

    Loovens

     

    Wilson

     

    Commons

     

     

    I would say that lot are taking about £100k per week

     

    Out our club!

     

     

    I would sooner bring in a diamond or 2

     

    On big wages to cement our title aspirations!