Ross County v Celtic, preview by numbers
Celtic play Ross County on Sunday for the 3rd time this season, winning 4-0 in Dingwall on 26th October, and 2-0 at Celtic Park on 28th December.
In the October match in Dingwall, Celtic won 4-0 but Ross County recorded the 10th Highest xG of any opposition this season at 1.45.
Craig Gordon made 3 key saves that night, his joint highest of the season, and 5 saves overall.
In both matches, Celtic have recorded 22 shots. In October 12 were on target yielding an xG of 3.53 – Celtic’s 4th highest of the season. In December only 7 of Celtic’s 22 shots were on target, resulting in an xG of 1.08.
Celtic have had 69% and 70% possession respectively in the two games, completing 589 passes in Dingwall and 637 at Celtic Park.
Celtic’s 12 shots on target in Dingwall is the 3rd most against domestic opposition and the 2nd most away from home.
(I am in this picture somewhere in the home end – no prizes for guessing but about to be the one with a strong arm on a 10 year old’s shoulder, stopping her from jumping up!!!)
Celtic created 5 chances in both matches. The 14 failed attempts at Celtic Park is the 3rd most in any domestic game.
In both matches, Celtic attempted over 20 take ons, being successful 12 and 10 times respectively.
Celtic were awarded 11 corners at Celtic Park, the 3rd highest domestically.
There were 89 duels in Dingwall (Celtic won 57% of them) but only 52 (Ross County won 56%) at Celtic Park.
Celtic made 6 defensive errors in Dingwall, the 2nd most domestically – Lustig made 2 of them.
The 9 times Celtic players mis-controlled the ball in Dingwall is the 2nd highest domestically.
Celtic have scored 21.6% of their goals after the 80th minute but only once, against Ross County in Dingwall, have 3 goals been scored in this section of a match.
Ross County have managed 210 and 216 passes respectively averaging 70% success in both matches. Those successful pass totals represent the 9th and 10th highest by any domestic opposition Celtic have faced. The completion rate of 70% is the 7th highest of any of Celtic’s Scottish opponents.
The 14 shots Ross County took in Dingwall is the 2nd most Celtic have faced against home opposition.
Ross County attempted but failed to create 7 chances at Celtic Park – the 2nd most by any domestic opposition.
The 8 unsuccessful dribbles Ross County attempted in Dingwall is the most failed take ons of any Scottish opposition (Chris Burke?).
Ross County have forced 14 corners in their 2 matches versus Celtic – no Scottish team averages more.
The 69% of interceptions Ross County won in Dingwall (25 successful) is the highest success rate for any domestic opposition.
In Dingwall, Bhoy of the Match Patrick Roberts attempted 5 shots scoring 1 goal. He created 2 chances and had 2 assists. Of 10 attempted dribbles, 4 were successful.
For the Celtic Park encounter, captain Scott Brown was the Bhoy of the Match, passing 110 times successfully at 97% accuracy, having 2 shots off target, creating 1 chance and also providing a generous assist for Sviatchenkos’ goal, as well as intercepting 7 times.
Sviatchenko scored Celtic’s longest range goal of the season in that match (I do not have the distance but it was a flippin’ long way out).
