Celtic enjoyed 73% possession to Aberdeen's 27%, completed 640 passes to their 187, and posted an xG figure of 4.73. Most striking of all, though, was the volume of efforts on goal as Wilfried Nancy's side registered 31 shots across the 90 minutes. By half-time alone, Celtic had already registered 13 attempts and controlled 67% of possession.
Most fans will have caught the headline statistics from Sunday's win over Aberdeen, but they're worth revisiting.
Celtic enjoyed 73% possession to Aberdeen's 27%, completed 640 passes to their 187, and posted an xG figure of 4.73. Most striking of all, though, was the volume of efforts on goal as Wilfried Nancy's side registered 31 shots across the 90 minutes.
Of course, football has a ruthless way of simplifying things. By full-time, the only statistic that truly mattered sat in the top-left corner of the screen, and that read 3–1 to Celtic. But it would be foolish to dismiss the broader picture painted by those numbers - even accounting for Aberdeen playing the entire second half with ten men after Dylan Lobban's dismissal for a last-man foul on Daizen Maeda.
By half-time alone, Celtic had already registered 13 attempts and controlled 67% of possession. The second half followed much the same pattern, relentless and probing, before goals from Kieran Tierney and James Forrest eventually put the contest to bed.
There is no doubt Wilfried Nancy has work to do, particularly in tightening things up defensively. But could anyone watching honestly deny it was an exciting, absorbing game of football? It felt like the kind of free-flowing, attack-minded play long associated with Celtic - and a far cry from the suffocating pragmatism that marked the final weeks of Brendan Rodgers' tenure. I know which I'd rather watch.
That said, winning remains the ultimate currency and to win consistently you need a reliable finisher. Right now, Celtic don't have one. Johnny Kenny doesn't look ready. Shin Yamada may not be the answer either. Injuries rule out Kelechi Iheanacho and Callum Osmand for now, while Daizen Maeda can be that player - but not as often as we'd like.
Which is why in the January window – which opens in just over a weeks' time – we must prioritise a proven number nine.
Other additions would be welcomed of course. A ball-playing right-sided defender, an athletic defensive midfielder, some natural width on the right-hand side of our attack. But if only one signing were to be made, it has to be a centre-forward capable of igniting Nancy's ideas.
Before we can make any such move, attention turns to Livingston away on Saturday, then a tough trip to high flying Motherwell, with Rangers then calling on 3 January. Navigate that run positively, and January reinforcements may allow us to enter the second half of the campaign with renewed belief.
Until then, let me leave you with one left-field thought regarding our striking issues.
Step up Celtic's number 49, James Forrest! It sounds like a left field kind of move, but as we're learning, Wilfried Nancy is a left field kind of guy.
And in a season already full of surprises, this would be far from the biggest.
Let's see what the next instalment of Wilfried Nancy's Celtic masterplan brings.
Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange
Category: General Sports
