Celtic Fail To Adapt When Pressed

A performance of limitless energy saw The Rangers harry and press Celtic into meek submission. 1-0 flattered the Champions who could not get into their passing rhythm.

For astute tactical analysis I recommend you watch the videos in this thread from Ally Bain (@allybain).

Celtic Lack Plan B

This match was a triumph of how to play without the ball by the home side. Celtic were utterly disrupted from their normal passing game. From the very start of the match Halliday took longer over every throw and restart than Bernhard Langer over a Major winning putt. This served the dual purpose of stopping Celtic putting pace into their game whilst allowing the homes side a breather from the relentless pressing.

Celtic average 551 passes per 90m and managed 314 here but only 271 from open play. Much as Celtic had disrupted RB Leipzig in the recent 2-1 Europa League match, so The Rangers turned the match into a shapeless mess. There were 108 challenges in the game, only 5 less than in the RB Leipzig clash. Despite Celtic winning 59% of all duels, they only retained possession from 39% of them. The Rangers were quick to close down and quicker to the second balls.

As a team, Celtic normally have over 700 possession actions in any game. They were restricted to 469 here and very few of them in dangerous areas. The Hoops recorded only 1 shot on target, the same as in losing 0-1 to Kilmarnock last season. They managed only 1 pass into the Danger Zone all match.

Celtic’s passing game was almost totally broken down. They managed just 35 pack passes – forward passes that take out opponents. If Celtic don’t hit 50 they generally don’t do well and 35 equals the lowest of the season in losing 1-2 at Kilmarnock. From those pack passes only 7 home side defenders were taken out the game in 90 minutes – again the same as Kilmarnock away.

Pressing effectiveness can be measured by Passes Per Defensive Action (PPDA). Celtic achieved only 4.09 passes per defensive action, the lowest against domestic opposition. They average 7.75.

The lack of an option to break the press with an early direct pass severely restricted the Hoops. Last season Celtic played a direct game against Heart of Midlothian away to combat both their high press and the long grass at Tynecastle. That side had both Dembele and Edouard starting. Dembele received 10 forward passes for an Receive Impect score of 82 in that match. Celtic were able to play longer and retain possession in a 3-1 victory.

The slight figure of Johnston had a thankless task. He completed 10 passes and gave it away only 3 times also managing to win 3 challenges. But it is a stretch to expect the young winger to play the same role as a Dembele or Morelos.

With no direct option Celtic continued to try and play out with little success. The second half switch to a diamond with Sinclair and Edouard up top and Forrest in behind did not change the inability to break the initial lines of The Rangers press.

The Rangers Efficiency

The home side’s own possession was generally unremarkable. Restricted to 44% possession, they completed only 203 passes.

However, unlike the Hoops the home side’s possession was often in attacking areas. The high press and relentless energy of the opponents contribute to a season high 7 defensive errors by Cetic. The Rangers forced Celtic to turnover possession 15 times in their own defensive third. Boyata alone had given away possession in his own third 5 times in the opening 15 minutes.

The Light Blues scored a Scottish best 203 Total Impect. To bring that to life, they were able to complete forward passes and take Celtic players out the game effectively. 20 of 32 successful pack passes came from their defenders. Unlike Celtic and Johnston, The Rangers had in Morelos a player able to take in, control and work with direct longer passes. Morelos received 11 forward passes for a Receive Impect score of 83 (see above for Dembele’s similar numbers last season vs Heart of Midlothian).

Once the home side secured possession in the final third they were very effective. 8 shots on target is the most by any team against Celtic since Paris Saint Germain. 14 shots were taken inside the box, a season high. The Rangers had possession in the Celtic box 24 times – the most by any Scottish team this season.

This meant Expected Goals (xG) of 2.023, bettered only by Aberdeen last week. Fortunately, Gordon was in great form and his 6 saves are the most by a Celtic ‘keeper this season.

The fractured and frantic nature of the game The Rangers imposed on Celtic is further highlighted by the fact the home side’s Expected Assists (xA) was only 1.180. Many of their chances came from turnovers and second balls after challenges rather than creating chances from passing moves.

Summary

Without considering the midfield make up of the Celtic team (for another article), the away side displayed little ability to change the game plan The Rangers imposed upon them. Unable to play a more direct game, Celtic also failed to break the initial press with any regularity. In the second half Boyata completed 12 passes and gave away 7, as the most glaring example.

The home side were then highly effective in creating chances from the chaotic match their energy and pressing spawned. Fortunately for Celtic their finishing and Gordon’s saves kept the score down.

Appalling squad management and midfield imbalance have once again cost Celtic dear in what is now becoming a trend in tricky away games.