Two Key Moments; Eye vs Data – St Mirren vs Celtic Verdict

Celtic beat St Mirren 4-0 with npxG showing 1.85-0.85 I thought defensively we looked strong throughout the game. However, I felt we gave up possession too often and too easily. What does the data say?

Positives

Edouard and Turnbull once again provided huge output, which Celtic have become reliant upon.

Edouard 1.39 xG
Turnbull 0.43xG & 0.13xA

Turnbull for me was MOTM and I think data backs this. Passing metrics were above average. (Pass leading to penalty below)

Defensively we were solid only giving up 0.08xGC (xG from shots on target), so Bain was a bystander for this game. Welsh performed above average in defensive duels and passing as did Jonjoe Kenny. Ajer’s long runs broke lines and Taylor won a penalty – good from all four.

Rogic, on viewing, I thought was poor due to ball loss and not getting Kenny into the game. Data backs this up as he lost the ball more than average & Kenny had 0 crosses. Perhaps my bias is in the way data shows up, Tom did provide great output (0.2xG & 0.79xA) and took his goal well.

Ryan Christie is definitely the unsung hero from the game. He provided huge amounts of energy in the 27 minutes he played getting a goal and an assist. He would register 0.39xG & 0.16xA. 3rd goal below with Christie making a long overlapping run to get his goal. Great play.

For the 4th Christie starts the move by finding Klimala who draws the defenders. Christie runs into the gap and controls the chipped through ball and instead of shooting through two players passes to Turnbull for an easy goal from close range.

Negatives

St Mirren’s Big Chance

This was the only point in the game were defensively Celtic fell apart. Welsh gets far too close too Ajer and when danger looks certain Ajer correctly drops however Welsh gets caught ball watching. Kenny does amazing to bail him out.

Another angle of the chance shows the danger Welsh causes more clearly. His defensive positional awareness for me is his major weakness. I’ve noticed it in previous games and is becoming a trend in his performances. Coaches need to identify and address this.

Ajeti & Rogic

Ajeti had a good game without providing output.

This is mainly due to the poor service he received. He made a great run which was ignored by Rogic in favour of a pot shot from outside the box through a defender. Celtic’s chronically poor decision making continues.

Duffy Errors

A final nit-pick is Duffy once again, even though he was only on for 27 minutes made an error that led to a shot on goal. The ball comes in and instead of clearing it tries to take a touch and he misses it. Simple things like this are why Welsh is an improvement.

Final Thoughts

I think it was a good win on a tough pitch we’ve had this season. We benefitted from McGrath’s injury as St Mirren were blunt creatively after he went off. There are huge issues with the midfield and width as we looked one note for much of the game.

The penalty calmed us down and the introduction of Christie’s energy against a tiring side was the deciding factor.

I Would like to see Soro, Mcgregor, Christie & Turnbull back in the diamond. Statistically, that’s when we have played our best.