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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Celtic 1-0 against Killie at Lennoxtown and ole Mo the Bounce Bangura’s not on the scoresheet.
The Honest Mistake,
Mate I’m a football fan… so, he wouldn’t be the first cheating diver with an aggressive streak whom I’ve got a little bit of time for. Anyway, don’t get yourself uptight about it. Honestly CQN can be a bit like that paranoid girlfriend you once had… Naismith was mentioned in the leader article and my statement reflects that, and that alone. Now I think we should probably stop seeing each other Honest Mistake. It’s not you, it’s me… honest.
Len Brennan says:
4 January, 2012 at 13:35
Not sure if it’s been posted yet..
SPL Statement ~ Heart of Midlothian FC
An SPL Board sub-committee today adjudicated in the dispute between 14 players and Heart of Midlothian FC.
The SPL Board sub-committee has ordered December wages to be paid by 11 January. Interest on all sums overdue from October, November and December wages must also be paid by 11 January. January salaries must be paid on time on 16 January.
The club must also pay the claimants’ legal expenses and the SPL’s costs of today’s hearing.
Both sides have the right to appeal the decision to the Scottish FA within seven days.
Neil Doncaster, SPL Chief Executive, said: “Today’s decision demonstrates how seriously the SPL take late payments of wages to players.”
Does this mean that Templeton and Kello will be free on the 16th?
:oD
HH
/Bishop B
share
And if they dont pay up,what are the sanctions?sounds like a threat.
Bournesouprece – not bouncy enough for ole Mo?
If we ever get asked to play a game on the Sea of Tranquillity Mo’s the first name on the teamsheet.
DBBIA 1333 and PHILVIS 1335
Between the pair of you,that’s the best laugh I’ve had all year!
BTW,HNY!
Luke Chambers of Nott Forest to be the new CB?
HH
Good to see the SFA are hitting Hearts hard.
And setting a precedent should any other clubs with money worries get into a similar situation in the future.
ASonOfDan,
Jonas Ivens, a Belgian central defender currently with Groningen in Holland, was mentioned by Eddie Pearson on Facebook earlier as a likely signing.
I’m sure his name was mentied here recently.
Watched the sportscene highlights, craggan’s goal was a peach, easily the hardest goal to score, Healy had a free header that he smashed into the ground and over the bar before outwitting a number of defenders and being the first goalscorer.
On an entirely unrelated, unconnected, don’t even know why it popped into my head matter, anyone got any info on the in game gambling controversy that involved a player from a Scottish club?
Incidentally, watch Wallace after the ‘own goal’, turns around and jogs back to own half, no smile, no celebration. My guess is he’s Joe the Toff (subbed not long after)
Some clever clogs should tweak Mo’s boots so that the soles contain a miniature spring or trampoline, thus yielding more bounce per ounce for the tousle haired goal machine.
So if Ivens is arrivin’ does that mean Loovens is leavin’?
Rangers Media under the headline “Why are the banks reluctant to help Rangers?” (I’ve no idea.)
Couldn’t help but notice that two out of three chairmen of Scotland’s biggest banks are Earl Haigs and are BOTH season ticket holders at the Brendanbeu. Granting Rangers a credit facility as opposed to servicing a loan/debt are two separate things. There is something not right here.
DBBIA
Robert Peston..
watching him on TV is bad enough, think I would have thrown the wireless out the window..
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon
But can he play right back? Seems to be the criteria for every defender we sign…
Luke Chambers was linked about 6/8 weeks ago. Contract coming to an end this summer, Nott Forest captain and just like Wilson, Lennon remembers him from his time there.
Anybody remember when Johan Mjallby scored at Fir Park but Shug Dallas failed to see the ball at least a metre over the line?
Monaghan1900 4 January, 2012 at 13:53
“Rangers Media under the headline “Why are the banks reluctant to help Rangers?” (I’ve no idea.)
Couldn’t help but notice that two out of three chairmen of Scotland’s biggest banks are Earl Haigs and are BOTH season ticket holders at the Brendanbeu. Granting Rangers a credit facility as opposed to servicing a loan/debt are two separate things. There is something not right here. ”
What aboot the third chairman that didn’t help them out?
The Honest Mistake
He must have had an entirely spurious reason!
ASonOfDan says:
4 January, 2012 at 13:46
I posted on here twice 21/12 or 22/12 I think it was as, asking if anybody had heard anything of Chambers being linked. My information was that we were interested in him last Summer and had him watched. Out of contract in Summer I believe.
Additionally, I know we have stepped up scouting in Belgium as a result of Victor’s success. I know we definitely watched two CHs, one a Hungarian and the other a Belgian both playing in Belgium, one was watched by orcs.
Diawara, I have mixed information but he is one of a few targets.
Got to go, work calls.
Will lok in this evening after work to see if you reply.
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
bournesouprecipe says:
4 January, 2012 at 13:55
Anybody remember when Johan Mjallby scored at Fir Park but Shug Dallas failed to see the ball at least a metre over the line?
—————
yor making that up, definately did not happen, cos if it did it would be replayed over and over again by the meeja as a justification for balance, that these happen to all teams. well until technology is introduced, our will it have special technology that its only hun goals that count.
If it’s true that Vincenzo Iaquinta is available for loan, we should totally take him.
Neil Lennon: “I think we’ve got a better squad. And we’ve still got Kris Commons to come back.”
Does this do anything to alter Phil Mac’s claim that Commons is “100% off to Southampton”?
B/Tim- it would obvously be a lot better if it was Stephanie Flanders or Mariella Frostrup doing it but it’s not a bad listen, RP butts out most of the time.
Given her heroics over the past year I’m expecting ole Santa was good to wee Blantyre Monica?
Transfer windows offer so many opinions. Why the clamour to sell Ki. He is the best footballer in the SPL by a country mile. Can never understand why we get so many people always willing to sell players who are not all blood and thunder. This window is the first where I would say our centre half position is pretty decent. Rogne and Mulgrew look very good together. Kelvin and Dan as back up and Wanyama in an emergency. Also backed up by Lustig.
The money would be better spent on some genuine quality up front like Diawara
But the only opinions that really count are Neil’s and Peter’s
BB
bournesouprecipe says:
4 January, 2012 at 13:55
Anybody remember when Johan Mjallby scored at Fir Park but Shug Dallas failed to see the ball at least a metre over the line?
share
——
Game finished (well, in the eyes of the SFA Law) 3-3. Was pissing from the heavens, McNamara scored after a bit of a solo run then 1-2…
Unless I’m mistaken…
HH
Giggs
BSR – 1 MINUTE IN, IT WASNT EVEN CLOSE says the hun commentator.
a mcnamara great goal as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g6OgU5CaxM
Quote from Well player that day was “all of the ball never hit all of the back of the net” or similar
3-3 draw i think..
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
bournesouprecipe says:
4 January, 2012 at 13:55
Anybody remember when Johan Mjallby scored at Fir Park but Shug Dallas failed to see the ball at least a metre over the line?
share
DBBIA certainly did, laptop all to herself…
need to upgrade my wi fi connection now….
all her baby sitting duties early in the year have been greatly rewarded…..
Brian b
Only the manager’s opinion should matter with regards to preference of players and the strengthening of positions.
Only then should the CEO become involved.
blantyretim says:
4 January, 2012 at 14:10
—–
As well as watching you after a couple of “post-work” sherbets, no doubt… :-)
HH
Giggs
bournesouprecipe says:
4 January, 2012 at 13:55
Anybody remember when Johan Mjallby scored at Fir Park but Shug Dallas failed to see the ball at least a metre over the line?
………..
That was so far over the line the ball was cleared from the stand behind the goal!!!
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS – Between the pair of you,that’s the best laugh I’ve had all year!
You are obviously a man of superior intellect and exquisite taste to recognise my comic genius.
Happy New Year to you! (thumbsup)
Has anyone joined this KiK message thing on the smart phones..Sweeping Derry like wild fire.Signed up last night,even was on to Vmhans son earlier all free..great wee app.
The rise of Celtic and the fall of Rangers, I think this article is a wee bit premature with us having just demonstrated how easy it is to demolish a 15 point lead. We have a 2 point lead. We didn’t smash Rangers last time out either, a set piece was the difference, and it could just as easily have gone the other way.
Having said that I tend to be cautious by nature pretty much until it’s in the bag, on the same theme I would play our strongest team on Sunday until the result is in no doubt, Roy Keane’s debut at Clyde along with Du Wei and a couple of other ‘fresh faces’ still a sore one.
Vmhans son is in Australia
PHILVIS RETURNS
Indeed;your modesty does not detract from that…..
Keep ’em coming,bud.
Off to my cot prior to an early nightshift.
We had better have signed someone by the time I waken up,or Sydney Tim will be booking his flights….
Hamtontim. Cold not agree more. But this is Celtic we are discussing. To be fair I think Lawell tries to do what he can for Neil but has limitations from above on how far he can stretch the budget.
As I said I would rather see this windows budget invested up front as I believe we have finally got a decent back and midfield pool to pick from. We are lacking real quality up front al la Henrik, Sutton and Hartson. What would we have to pay today for that line up?
giggs
you know me too well.
coorslad;
all the kids are on it but rumour that it is a virus?
The Honest Mistake – Couldn’t help but notice that two out of three chairmen of Scotland’s biggest banks are Earl Haigs and are BOTH season ticket holders at the Brendanbeu. Granting Rangers a credit facility as opposed to servicing a loan/debt are two separate things. There is something not right here.
Billy: “Haw Tam. Why ur the banks no given Rainjurs free monney? Ah mean, we are the peepil.”
Tam, the Huntellectual: “Cos they are feenyuns, Bully. Nae other explanayshun fur it.”
Billy: “And how come your wife left ye and you got pure sacked from yer joab at KFC, and ra polis pure lifted ye fur loitering outside a skool?”
Tam: “Feenyuns, Bully. Feenyuns are everywhere. Radio, silence, bruther berr.”
(thumsbup)