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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new article posted.
A Trinity Mirror spokesman said: “We can confirm we have entered into a confidential period of consultation with four senior members of staff from Media Scotland.”
The News Of The World would have told us by now what the offers were to each
Lee McCulloch has been suspended for two games following an SFA Fast Track Disciplinary Hearing at Hampden
So much for the extra punishment!
“I’m disappointed we’re out of Europe but domestically we want to win everything.”
Neil Lennon
Saving sheckles..
Methinks not…That would be like a Bus Company paying off all its drivers, no it’s a Not Fit for Purpose scenario….por cierto
ItaliaBhoy says:
5 January, 2012 at 11:05
Jim Traynor – once a good writer and journalist with the Herald.
Corrupted by succulent lamb and finest reds.
Ends his career an obese, unreadable, pitiable shadow of what a sports writer should be…
==================================
Perfect summation.
He reaped what he sowed.
Final insult is for Britney to get his old job.
And old alkie Leggoland would implode.
Dontbrattbakkinanger says:
5 January, 2012 at 12:19
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday Dontbrattbakkinanger,
Happy Birthday to you.
I am quarter of the way into the John Cairney Book “The Seven Penny Gate” on my new Kindle from Santa, it’s absolutely gripping stuff, highly recommended for us Tims.
JD
I would be very interested in seeing Lawwell etc’s viewpoint on the Huns possible demise. How much, exactly does the “Old Firm” make for Celtic and also for Scottish Football?
We know already that the new Sky deal has it written into the contract that there are at least 4 Old Firm Games included.
Celtic have many season ticket holders but some of these exclude the Rangers games which are always a sell out. On the days they will make more from merchandising, food etc due to the higher crowds. There are possible extra worldwide income as a result as well.
If there was no Rangers in the SPL, say they were put into the bottom league and made to work their way up, that could mean, what 3 years without an old firm game? Would season ticket sales fall realistically? I think they would? Would there be fans who travel aby air, sea etc now maybe not bother with the hassle – I think there would.
Also as a team, if there was no Rangers, at what level would our spending be targetted? No need to get multi million pound players in to beat Motherwell and Hearts is there? In a way that could be great for us as we could bring youngsters through the system knowing we had a 2-3 year timescale before there would be any competition.
I know it is easy for us all to say that it would be great to see them gone etc but I wonder if our board think the same? I don’t think they would.
And as for other clubs, I believe that everyone of them would prefer the income from 2 home games against the Huns to any other alternative.
RogueLeader,
As far as I understand it (from reading the RTC blog, particularly a poster called The Don), RFC’s debt is pre-2003, therefore Receivership rules would apply.
It was speculated that this would allow CW an easier escape route, allowing him to “hive down” RFC pretty quickly and leaving everyone else, including HMRC, absolutely high and dry.