Digressive Celts

Matches › 2020/21

Celtic 2–0 Ross County

Wednesday 23 December 2020, 18:00 · Celtic Park · Round 19 · Half-time 1–0

Celtic Turnbull 24', Griffiths 61'

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

CelticRoss County
Goals20
xG2.150.29
Expected Points2.650.21

Celtic 84%Draw 13%Ross County 3%

Most likely score 2–0, 23%. Final score 2–0, 23%.

Ross County goalsCeltic goals0123456+0123456+6%2%6%7%16%5%7%2%2%19%23%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

01230153045607590HTNtcham on for Turnbull, 71'Rogic on for Christie and Johnston on for Edouard, 72'Ajeti on for Griffiths, 81'Shaw on for Stewart, 34'Hylton on for Gardyne, 46'McKay on for Vigurs and Tillson on for Draper, 76'Turnbull 24'Griffiths 61'Celtic 2.15Ross County 0.2901230153045607590HTNtcham on for Turnbull, 71'Rogic on for Christie and Johnston on for Edouard, 72'Ajeti on for Griffiths, 81'Shaw on for Stewart, 34'Hylton on for Gardyne, 46'McKay on for Vigurs and Tillson on for Draper, 76'Turnbull 24'Griffiths 61'2.150.29CelticRoss County

Each side's xG added up shot by shot through the match. Stoppage time is shaded as far as the last shot or event recorded in it. Triangles along the foot mark each side's substitutions.

Match stats

CelticRoss County

2.15 +0.02xG0.29 −0.75
2.24 −0.21xG on target0.58 +0.03
24 +6Shots5 −5
7 −0.3Shots on target3 +0.5
2 −0.9Big chances0 −1.2
34 +7Touches in the opposition box8 −9
67% 0Possession33% −17
634 +47Passes305 −104
87% +1Pass accuracy67% −6
83% +11Field tilt17% −35
79 +10Final-third entries18 −24
20 +3.1Box entries2 −6.4
9.4 −1Passes per defensive action26.4 +12
10 +3.5Corners3 −1.1
15 +3Tackles14 +1
14 +5.3Interceptions13 +2.9
12 −3Clearances29 +6
3 +1.7Saves5 +2.6
10 −2Fouls5 −10
3 +2.0Offsides3 +1.3

The small figure beside each value is its difference from the side's average per league match this season before this one. Field tilt is each side's share of the open-play passes completed in the final third; entries are completed open-play passes and carries into the final third and the box; passes per defensive action (PPDA) counts the opponent's passes in its own 60% of the pitch for each tackle, interception, challenge, or foul there.

Chance locations

Celtic

Griffiths 61', 0.24 xGJohnston 79', 0.14 xGJullien 5', 0.11 xGNtcham 74', 0.10 xGEdouard 70', 0.09 xGChristie 11', 0.08 xGNtcham 86', 0.08 xGChristie 2', 0.07 xGGriffiths 54', 0.07 xGMcGregor 70', 0.07 xGLaxalt 15', 0.05 xGAjer 37', 0.05 xGEdouard 43', 0.05 xGEdouard 39', 0.04 xGEdouard 64', 0.04 xGMcGregor 20', 0.03 xGChristie 32', 0.03 xGMcGregor 42', 0.03 xGChristie 59', 0.03 xGSoro 60', 0.03 xGGriffiths 66', 0.03 xGLaxalt 5', 0.02 xGTurnbull 24', 0.62 xG, goalGriffiths 61', 0.06 xG, goal0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals71%1.52 xGCentral box: 12 shots, 1.52 xG, 2 goals14%0.29 xGWide in the box: 2 shots, 0.29 xG, 0 goals13%0.28 xGEdge of the box: 8 shots, 0.28 xG, 0 goals2%0.05 xGFurther out: 2 shots, 0.05 xG, 0 goals

Ross County

Stewart 8', 0.07 xGStewart 17', 0.07 xGHylton 90+1', 0.07 xGKelly 38', 0.06 xGShaw 89', 0.03 xG0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals69%0.20 xGCentral box: 3 shots, 0.20 xG, 0 goals0%0.00 xGWide in the box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals31%0.09 xGEdge of the box: 2 shots, 0.09 xG, 0 goals0%0.00 xGFurther out: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals

Each area's share of the side's xG from open play and set pieces, with the xG in it. The two wide areas of the box count together, as on the club pages. Shots shows each of those shots instead, sized by its xG, with goals filled in.

Chance types

CelticRoss County

1.97 21 shots, 2 goalsOpen play0.29 5 shots, 0 goals
0.18 3 shots, 0 goalsSet pieces0.00 0 shots, 0 goals

xG by type of chance, with each side's shots and goals beside it.

Game state

Level
24 min (26%) · Celtic 0.99, Ross County 0.14 xG
Celtic ahead
67 min (74%) · Celtic 1.16, Ross County 0.15 xG

Line-ups

65302359312171442922HazardFrimpongJullienAjerLaxaltSoroChristieTurnbullMcGregorGriffithsEdouardGoalGoal72'71'81'72'Celtic 4-1-3-2Neil Lennon151516436711182427LaidlawMorrisWatsonIacovittiReidDraperGardyneVigursKellyPatonStewart76'46'76'34'Ross County 4-5-1John Hughes

Celtic substitutes

  • 71' Ntcham for Turnbull
  • 72' Johnston for Edouard
  • 72' Rogic for Christie
  • 81' Ajeti for Griffiths

Ross County substitutes

  • 34' Shaw for Stewart
  • 46' Hylton for Gardyne
  • 76' Tillson for Draper
  • 76' McKay for Vigurs

Players

Celtic

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
HazardGK900.000.0000.0100
FrimpongRB9010.000.5060.52103
JullienCB900.110.0100.1259
AjerCB900.050.0410.17173
LaxaltLB900.080.0800.1267
SoroDM900.030.0600.21166
ChristieCM7210.210.3040.1775
TurnbullAM7110.620.2130.0020
McGregorCM900.130.0810.14126
GriffithsST8110.390.1320.1220
EdouardST720.230.1200.0111
NtchamMF190.180.010−0.0100
JohnstonFW180.140.1010.0511
RogicFW180.000.041−0.0310
AjetiFW90.000.0000.0000

Ross County

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
LaidlawGK900.000.0000.0461
MorrisRB900.000.0000.0109
WatsonCB900.000.1210.2986
IacovittiCB900.000.0000.00116
ReidLB900.000.0000.0466
DraperRM760.000.0000.0114
GardyneCM460.000.1710.0711
VigursCM760.000.040−0.0114
KellyCM900.060.0100.0332
PatonLM900.000.010−0.0126
StewartST340.140.0000.0004
ShawFW560.030.021−0.0703
HyltonFW440.070.0000.0102
TillsonMF140.000.0000.0100
McKayFW140.000.0010.0001

Starters, then substitutes in the order they came on. KP is chances created and Def defensive actions (tackles, blocks, clearances, and interceptions). xT is the expected threat added by the player's completed open-play passes and carries, and Prog counts progressive passes and carries.

Pass networks

Celtic

Jullien and Christie: 9 passesJullien and McGregor: 9 passesTurnbull and Edouard: 9 passesJullien and Turnbull: 10 passesAjer and Christie: 10 passesLaxalt and McGregor: 10 passesLaxalt and Turnbull: 10 passesLaxalt and Edouard: 10 passesChristie and Edouard: 10 passesAjer and Turnbull: 11 passesSoro and Turnbull: 11 passesChristie and McGregor: 11 passesAjer and McGregor: 12 passesSoro and McGregor: 12 passesChristie and Turnbull: 12 passesFrimpong and Soro: 14 passesSoro and Christie: 15 passesFrimpong and Christie: 17 passesJullien and Ajer: 18 passesAjer and Laxalt: 18 passesAjer and Soro: 20 passesMcGregor and Turnbull: 20 passesFrimpong and Jullien: 22 passesJullien and Soro: 26 passesHazard: 12 completed passesFrimpong: 42 completed passesJullien: 56 completed passesAjer: 56 completed passesLaxalt: 34 completed passesSoro: 59 completed passesChristie: 41 completed passesMcGregor: 47 completed passesTurnbull: 44 completed passesEdouard: 18 completed passesGriffiths: 16 completed passes65302359312174214229HazardFrimpongJullienAjerLaxaltSoroChristieMcGregorTurnbullEdouardGriffithsStarters until 71' · lines join pairs with 8+ passes

Ross County

Laidlaw and Stewart: 3 passesPaton and Draper: 3 passesDraper and Kelly: 3 passesReid and Gardyne: 4 passesGardyne and Stewart: 4 passesReid and Vigurs: 5 passesReid and Kelly: 8 passesLaidlaw: 6 completed passesWatson: 9 completed passesIacovitti: 3 completed passesMorris: 3 completed passesReid: 14 completed passesPaton: 3 completed passesDraper: 8 completed passesVigurs: 7 completed passesKelly: 9 completed passesGardyne: 8 completed passesStewart: 4 completed passes115165432461118727LaidlawWatsonIacovittiMorrisReidPatonDraperVigursKellyGardyneStewartStarters until 34' · lines join pairs with 3+ passes

Each starter at the average position of their passes and receptions until the side's first substitution or red card, sized by completed passes. Lines join pairs who passed to each other often, thicker for more passes.

Passing combinations

Celtic

FromToPasses
JullienSoro22
AjerJullien17
LaxaltAjer15
JullienAjer15
AjerSoro15

Ross County

FromToPasses
ReidKelly10
KellyReid7
ReidVigurs6
VigursMorris6
WatsonPaton6

The five pairs with the most completed passes from one to the other over the whole match.

Defensive actions

Celtic

5+1.12−2.53−1.810+2.55−1.39+0.78+2.77+1.74+1.67+2.58+1.84+0.67+3.32−0.94+0.15+1.04+2.33+0.91−0.93+0.55+2.40−0.30−0.50−0.92+1.41+0.26−3.31−3.03−2.91−3.3FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 15 matches

Ross County

5+0.37+0.821+6.412+3.91−4.27−0.612+6.119+11.96−3.81−7.03−1.95+0.15+1.47+2.37+1.13−1.23−0.20−2.92−1.77+2.51−1.10−1.42+0.92+0.61−1.10−0.90−0.30−0.60−0.60−0.8FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 18 matches

Where each side made its tackles, interceptions, clearances, blocks, recoveries, challenges, and fouls, attacking up the page. Areas are shaded by the difference from the side's average per match this season before this one: amber for more, blue for fewer.

Threat

Celtic

0.010.020.040.020.020.010.020.020.080.070.020.050.100.170.060.100.100.180.040.02−0.01−0.160.050.070.270.23LessMore

Ross County

0.030.010.030.010.010.030.010.03−0.010.020.08−0.02−0.01−0.010.07−0.050.17LessMore

Expected threat added by completed open-play passes and carries, by where the move started, attacking up the page. Expected threat is the chance that possession in an area leads to a goal; a move adds the difference between where it ends and where it starts.

Ratings

0.51.01.52.02.5League average 1.25AttackCeltic2.15 → 2.08Ross County0.91 → 0.88Defence (lower is better)Celtic0.88 → 0.84Ross County1.63 → 1.57

The goals each side would score (attack) and concede (defence) per game against an average team, from the forecast ratings before this matchday (ring) and after it (dot); a lower defence number is better. Grey dots are the other clubs after the matchday, spread up and down only so they don't overlap. The change takes in the whole matchday.

League probabilities

ChanceBeforeWith this resultChange
Celtic
Title6%7%+1
Ross County
Top six1%<1%−1
11th32%32%0
Bottom47%48%+1
Hamilton Academical
Top six1%1%0
11th32%33%+1
Bottom42%41%−1
Rangers
Title94%93%−1

From the forecast before the match (23 December 2020): each chance then, and across the simulations in which the match ended this way. The change is in percentage points.

Pre-match

As things stood before kick-off.

Forecast

CelticRoss County
Expected goals3.000.65
Win84%5%
Expected Points2.630.26
Clean sheet52%5%

Celtic 84%Draw 11%Ross County 5%

Most likely score 2–0, 12%. Both sides score 46%.

Ross County goalsCeltic goals0123456+0123456+3%1%8%5%2%8%2%8%2%6%2%5%3%1%4%3%12%12%9%

From the forecast as it stood on 23 December 2020: each side's attack and defence ratings in a Dixon–Coles score model, as on the Forecasts page.

League probabilities by result

ChanceNowCeltic winDrawRoss County win
Celtic
Title6%7%3%2%
Ross County
Top six1%<1%1%3%
11th32%32%34%33%
Bottom47%48%39%31%
Hamilton Academical
Top six1%1%1%<1%
11th32%33%29%27%
Bottom42%41%47%52%
Rangers
Title94%93%97%98%

Each chance before the match and across the simulations ending in each result. Other teams are listed where a chance moves by at least 3 percentage points.

Form

Celtic

  1. W2–013 DecKilmarnock (H)xG 1.83–0.79
  2. D1–16 DecSt. Johnstone (H)xG 1.73–1.30
  3. D2–221 NovHibernian (A)xG 1.91–1.54
  4. W4–18 NovMotherwell (A)xG 2.84–1.66
  5. D3–325 OctAberdeen (A)xG 2.04–2.76
  6. L0–217 OctRangers (H)xG 0.55–1.50

Ross County

  1. L0–219 DecHamilton Academical (H)xG 0.91–0.80
  2. L0–212 DecAberdeen (A)xG 0.80–1.19
  3. L0–46 DecRangers (H)xG 0.74–3.28
  4. L1–321 NovKilmarnock (A)xG 1.87–2.12
  5. D1–16 NovLivingston (H)xG 0.62–1.07
  6. L1–231 OctDundee United (A)xG 0.88–1.79

The last six league matches, newest first, with xG for and against.

Season to date

CelticRoss County
Position2nd12th
Played1518
Won, drawn, lost10–⁠4–⁠13–⁠4–⁠11
Points34 (2.27 per game)13 (0.72 per game)
Expected Points per game1.960.89
Goals37–⁠1410–⁠34
xG per game2.13–⁠1.071.04–⁠1.83
Home: points, xG per game2.29, 2.03–⁠0.890.67, 0.99–⁠2.09
Away: points, xG per game2.25, 2.22–⁠1.230.78, 1.09–⁠1.57
ManagerNeil Lennon (15)John Hughes (0)

League matches this season before kick-off. The manager's number is league matches in charge since 2020/21.

Ratings

0.51.01.52.02.5League average 1.25AttackCeltic2.15, 2ndRoss County0.91, 12thDefence (lower is better)Celtic0.88, 2ndRoss County1.63, 11th

This season

Attack0.00.51.01.52.02.53.0SepOctNovDecCeltic attack: 2.15Ross County attack: 0.912.150.91Ross CountyCelticDefence (lower is better)0.00.51.01.52.02.53.0SepOctNovDecCeltic defence: 0.88Ross County defence: 1.631.630.88

The goals each side would score (attack) and concede (defence) per game against an average team, from the forecast ratings before this matchday, with their rank among the league's clubs; a lower defence number is better. Grey dots are the other clubs, spread up and down only so they don't overlap.

Strengths and weaknesses

CelticRoss County
CreatedConcededCreatedConceded
Open play+65%−43%−17%+30%
Counter-attacks+295%−34%−71%−56%
Set pieces+33%−2%−17%+25%
Penalties+30%+62%−46%+116%
Headers+7%−46%+13%+8%
Left side+74%−28%−20%+17%
Centre+58%−19%−25%+48%
Right side+62%−55%−7%−4%

xG created and conceded per game against the league average this season: +24% is 24% more than an average side. Left and right are each side's own, so chances conceded on its left come from opponents attacking down their right. Green favours the side and amber doesn't.

Matchups

Celtic attacking

Celtic createdRoss County concededLeft side+74%−4%Centre+58%+48%Right side+62%+17%Open play+65%+30%Counter-attacks+295%−56%Set pieces+33%+25%Headers+7%+8%

Ross County attacking

Ross County createdCeltic concededLeft side−20%−55%Centre−25%−19%Right side−7%−28%Open play−17%−43%Counter-attacks−71%−34%Set pieces−17%−2%Headers+13%−46%

Each side's xG created per game down each side of the pitch, through the centre, and from each type of chance, against what its opponent concedes there, both relative to the league average.

Season averages

CelticRoss County

2.13xG1.04
1.07xG against1.83
67%Possession50%
18.4Shots10.3
8.1Shots against12.8
7.3Shots on target2.5
2.9Big chances1.2
27.0Touches in the opposition box16.7
587Passes409
86%Pass accuracy73%
6.5Corners4.1
72%Field tilt52%
69.4Final-third entries41.8
16.9Box entries8.4
10.3Passes per defensive action14.4

Per league match this season before kick-off.

Game state this season

Celtic

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level422.011.13
Ahead372.371.10
Behind111.750.76

Ross County

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level390.941.88
Ahead120.391.65
Behind391.341.83

xG by period

Celtic

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.250.174–2
16–300.310.186–2
31–450.340.094–2
46–600.390.246–3
61–750.370.214–2
76–900.460.1913–3

Ross County

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.130.311–4
16–300.130.263–5
31–450.180.192–3
46–600.170.390–8
61–750.220.421–9
76–900.220.263–5

Per game this season, with stoppage time counted in its half; goals are totals for and against.

Most used players by position

Celtic

GKRBCBCBLBDMDMRWAMLWSTBarkas 10Bain 4Hazard 1Frimpong 9Elhamed 3Duffy 1Jullien 7Duffy 7Bitton 3Ajer 12Welsh 1Taylor 6Laxalt 4Edouard 2Brown 7Christie 3Frimpong 1McGregor 15Ntcham 2Forrest 1Christie 4Frimpong 3Forrest 3Ntcham 4Brown 3Rogic 3Elyounoussi 6Taylor 3Edouard 2Edouard 4Ajeti 4Elyounoussi 34-2-3-1 in 7 of 15 starts

Formations: 4-2-3-1 (7), 3-5-2 (4), 3-4-2-1 (1), 3-5-1-1 (1), 3-4-1-2 (1), 3-1-4-2 (1)

Ross County

GKRBCBCBLBDMRMCMCMLMSTLaidlaw 13Doohan 5Randall 10Watson 2Charles-Cook 2Donaldson 16Watson 1Iacovitti 14Morris 4Grivosti 1Reid 15Stewart 1Watson 1Vigurs 4Draper 4Iacovitti 3Gardyne 4Charles-Cook 3Stewart 2Paton 11Tillson 7Gardyne 3Vigurs 9Kelly 2Draper 1Stewart 6Gardyne 6Vigurs 2Stewart 8McKay 6Shaw 44-1-4-1 in 5 of 18 starts

Formations: 4-1-4-1 (5), 4-2-3-1 (3), 5-4-1 (2), 4-3-3 (2), 3-4-1-2 (1), 4-4-1-1 (1), 4-5-1 (1), 4-4-2 (1), 5-3-2 (1), 3-5-2 (1)

This season's most used formation, with up to three players who started most often in each position and their league starts there. Underneath, when a side has used more than one, every formation with its starts.

Head to head

DateHomeAwayxG
12 September 2020Ross County0–5CelticxG 0.81–3.32

1 league meeting since 2020/21: Celtic won 1, Ross County won 0, and 0 were drawn. Goals 5–0 and xG 3.32–0.81 per game.

Key players

Celtic

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Edouard8736510.840.20
Christie111,007350.360.30
Elyounoussi11830610.540.10
Forrest5484210.280.23

Ross County

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Stewart181,616210.370.06
McKay8767100.260.12
Kelly4478020.090.24
Gardyne131,114000.070.21

Up to four players a side with the most xG plus xA per 90 minutes, from those with at least 450 league minutes.