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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BRIAN BORU 1421
I doubt they’d cost too much nowadays,but they’d still do the business,haha!
coorslad..
Blantyre Monica has just informed me it is cool and easy, ”even you could use it”
thats me told then…
Was on a plane from Glasgow to Manchester the other day. The day started with typical Scottish weather – rain hammering down and blowing a gale. As I got towards the departure gate I saw two extremely large silhouettes and quickly established that the fatter of the two was wearing a hun top that was about 6 sizes too small.
I had the urge to sing “Can you hear the Ranjurs sing” that you get when you’ve been away from home too long but thought the better of it. Anyway, while this sporting specimen was going to the scene of one of Ranjurs greatest battlefields resplendent in his colours, ready to antagonise the public, the plane taxied across the runway in Manchester and the elevator music came on. It took a couple of seconds to recognise the tune that was coming out of the speakers but it was an electro-country version of JCGE. I just couldn’t get enough. Well done to Fly-BE, will they be playing electro-country versions of TBOTOB soon?
Poordeadking—–
Iaquinta ?
Italian fitba media [ old and new ] have him being ” off loaded ” to Newcastle..
His current status in Italy can be measured by the fact that he is yet to be linked with Paris Saint Germain.
3 – 1 defeat to Kilmarnock in the bounce game according the the club Facebook. Izaguirre and Kelvin Wilson both played the full 90 minutes
Quick point re Jonas Ivens:
I have often thought the Belgian League is fertile hunting ground, with players available at affordable prices, and a decent standard of football.
BUT… Ivens is not an international, despite being 27 years old. Normally, players from that tier of football (mid-tier nations, not normally qualifying for major tournaments…) we would expect to be signing capped internationals. Even back up guys like Ulrik Laursen, Stanislav Varga, Glenn Loovens etc were full international players.
To my knowledge, Ivesen has not appeared in the belgium side, despite them not being a great side, and for a 27 year old, that is slightly concerning if Celtic are looking at him. Granted, Belgium has guys like Kompany, Van Buyten, Vermaelen etc across their back 4, but I feel that if Ivens was the real deal, he wouldn’t have been overlooked by a side like Belgium without even getting 1 cap.
Hopefully I am proved wrong (if the Club decide to sign him…)
Having seen Larson and Sutton recently they look as if they probably could still play in our little backwater. big John on the other hand. Not so sure
Bt,chatting to friend earlier on facebook,he said Apple approved it,or it wouldnt be on the app store.texted a fella who has a bussiness fixing smart phones,mostly Iphones,and he has had no one in with any problems.Johnny has it months in Australia.
Brian B
Couldn’t agree more with your post. I too believe that Lawell does his best for Lenny but is fighting with his hands tied behind his back.
I also agree that the priority this window should be a striker in the Diawara mould. As Paul67 highlights, the defence looks stronger and more confident despite continual changes in personnel ad a consequence of injuries.
Incidentally, I think we’ll win the league regardless.
The Moon Bhoys. Cant agree with you on the game on the 28th if the referee had been on his game the correct result would have been 3-1 to the hoops.Sammi had a good goal ruled out and Hooper was pulled up wrongly for offside when he was one on one with there keeper.Fraser Foster was virtualy redundant for the whole game the poundland team were not in the game and elbowes and Healy should have been ordered off so no way is it correct to say it could have gone either way.H.H.
Bt,very simple to set up and use,has to be for me..
.
Coorslad BlantyreTim..
I Use ‘Touch’..The App formerly Known as ‘Ping Chat’..
There are Many “Free” ones Now..
Summa ft FreeTheChat1CSC
I was a bit scared in case it was a virus,but I got it of itunes as a free download.
BT, any word on the trains yet for tomorrow? The Good Lady looking to get out and about shopping but reckon it’s a non-starter…
HH
Giggs
JFH
Agree with most of your post but your ascertain that Sammi scored a ‘good’ goal is inaccurate. He was a yard offside.
Joe Filippis Haircut @ 14.29
appreciate that Joe, no worries, its all about opinions. Do you think we should give the entire bench a start on Sunday as Murdo suggested on shortbread?
If we sign Jonas Ivens, will his nickname be Boaby?
Ol’hauns CSC.
ascertain = assertion
still goosed giggsy..
I’m back tomorrow so will check later…
hamiltontim. I would have to see it again from where I was it looked onside but for the sake of the debate I will accept what you say.However, IMO no way it could it have gone either way the Orcs escaped very leniently as they were rank rotten.H.H.
The Moon Bhoys. If my memory serves me well Murdo had a go at managing Partick TH. and he didnt do to well so I am quite happy that Lennie knows what he is doing.While we as fans and also the pundits think certain players should be in the first team remember Lennie sees them in training every day and in Lennie I trust.H.H.
Thomthethim
No, ‘Good’
JFH
At the time I couldn’t tell, it was at the opposite end from me. I’ve seen it since and he clearly was a yard off.
You’re correct, they are rid rotten and I’m loving it!!
HNY to all – the festive period has prevented me from lurking.
Brian B, HT – I agree that we should concentrate on strengthening the forward line. I think our poor defensive showing, up to and including the 3-3 at Rugby Park, was due to the midfield not offering enough protection to the CHs.
The whole team were playing on the reputations from last year (a few more than most) and not putting in a shift in each and every game. Now they are, we’re losing fewer goals.
Someone in the mould of John Carew would suit me – not so sure on Diawara because I’ve seen nothing of him. It’s a fair whack of money (c£4m) to spend on a player who might not be used to the physical nature/thuggery of the SPL.
Hail Hail
Tombola
coorslad says:
4 January, 2012 at 14:36
seems to be rumour after rumour going about re KIK…apparently for BB users RIM have refused to endorse the product or its use on their products?
blantyretim says:
4 January, 2012 at 14:40
—-
I thought they be – she can wait until Saturday when I’m off…
Also, ran into your old man on Monday at EEP. Spoke to him for all of 30secs and it cost me a hot chocolate! Typical old BT haha. Think he drove up himself as well, and we houfed it on the Commy bus. Ended up a good wee day, right enough.
HH
Giggs
Che,Ive a few friends with BB on it.
Anyone know the line up for the bounce game against Kilmarnock this afternoon?
yeh he was up with a couple of Irish bhoys….
I made sure he had his last brandy about 8 o clock the night before…. o))
Ten Men Won The League says:
4 January, 2012 at 14:57
Didn’t see the whole line up but Izzy and Kelvin played the 90mins…
Good afternoon fellow Celts.
All talk is now about the transfer window and who will go and who will stay.
Personally i would be looking to get deals done for all the players out on loan at present and get them of the books As for players still at Celtic park Loovens, M Wilson, Commons and Mcourt should all find new clubs. They are all surplus to requirements and rarely play these days. Talk of Ki going i hope are wide of the mark. This boy is the most talented of all the midfield players we have at present, and is going to get better. We should be looking to keep all our best players and add 1 top striker. That would be my wish for this window.
10men
no info other than already posted..
Joe Filippis Haircut says:
4 January, 2012 at 14:29
In some ways I agree and in an ideal world with competent/honest officials it would have seemed a far more comfortale win and by a greater margin. Alas, we live in Scotland…
Sammi’s was chalked off correctly – though at the time I was screaming for it.
Tombola
blantyretim says:
4 January, 2012 at 15:01
so its true then Zheng Zhi was at centre half?
Celtic XI: Cervi; Toshney, K Wilson, Curtis Jones, Izaguirre; McCourt, McGeouch, F Twardzik, Blackman; James Keatings & Denny Johnstone
Here you go mate, Celts lost 3-1
Half Time Tombola. Yes my friend its my biggest fear that the MIB could cost us dear as we are far from a level playing field.H.H.
starry plough says:
4 January, 2012 at 15:04
Celtic XI: Cervi; Toshney, K Wilson, Curtis Jones, Izaguirre; McCourt, McGeouch, F Twardzik, Blackman; James Keatings & Denny Johnstone
Here you go mate, Celts lost 3-1
No Bangura? He has a great record in bounce matches!
LB
HTT
I think Carew is a great shout exactly what we need.
Don’t know how long his contract has left to run at West Ham and I can’t imagine his wages would an insignificant obstacle.