The Celtics recent form compared to 2023 shows remarkable consistency at the top of Scottish football. Under Brendan Rodgers’ second spell, they’ve maintained their attacking prowess while significantly improving their defensive record. They’ve averaged over three goals per game this season, continuing their free-scoring approach from the previous campaign. Their ability to maintain such high standards while integrating new players speaks volumes about the club’s recruitment and coaching structure.
Their home form at Celtic Park has been nothing short of phenomenal, winning five and drawing one of their six home matches. Much like how the British horseracing authority maintains strict standards in their sport, Celtic’s home performances have set a benchmark for excellence in Scottish football. The atmosphere generated by the home support has proven crucial in maintaining their unbeaten domestic record. The single draw came against a resilient St. Johnstone side, in a match where Celtic dominated possession but struggled to break down a well-organized defense. More impressively, their away form has been perfect with seven wins from seven matches on the road, including challenging trips to Aberdeen and Hearts.
Defensive improvements stand out this term. Conceding just four goals in thirteen league matches represents a marked improvement from the same stage last season. The partnership between Cameron Carter-Vickers and new signing Gustaf Lagerbielke has proven particularly effective, with the team keeping clean sheets in over 75% of their matches. This defensive solidity hasn’t come at the expense of their attacking play, as they’ve maintained their high defensive line and aggressive pressing approach.
Tactical evolution
The possession-based approach remains central to their philosophy, averaging 74% possession across all competitions. This high possession rate has been complemented by more efficient pressing in the attacking third, leading to quicker ball recoveries and increased scoring opportunities. The midfield trio has shown excellent understanding in their positioning, allowing for smooth transitions between defense and attack.
What’s particularly noteworthy is how they’ve adapted their pressing triggers. When opponents build from the back, Celtic’s forward line initiates a coordinated press that often forces turnovers in dangerous areas. This tactical adjustment has led to numerous goals from high turnovers, a significant improvement from last season’s already impressive statistics.
Nikolas-Gerrit Kuehn and Kyogo Furuhashi have formed a lethal partnership up front, with both players netting 13 goals each. Their movement and understanding have created numerous chances, while Daizen Maeda’s contribution of 10 goals from wide positions adds another dimension to their attack. The fluidity of the front three, often interchanging positions, has made them particularly difficult for opponents to mark.
Statistical dominance
Their current win rate of 92% in the league demonstrates their continued dominance of Scottish football. The goal difference of +36 after just 13 matches highlights both their attacking potency and defensive solidity. Perhaps most tellingly, they’ve scored in every competitive match this season, showing remarkable consistency in the final third. This consistency extends to their chance creation, averaging over 15 shots per game with an impressive conversion rate.
The team’s ability to control games has been evident in their possession statistics, but it’s their efficiency with the ball that truly stands out. They’ve improved their passing accuracy in the final third, completing 78% of their passes in attacking areas compared to 72% last season. This improvement has led to more clear-cut chances and a higher xG (Expected Goals) per game.
More than the raw numbers, it’s the manner of their performances that stands out. The fluid attacking movements combined with positional discipline when out of possession have made them an incredibly difficult team to play against. Their ability to control games through possession while maintaining defensive awareness marks a tactical evolution from previous seasons. The integration of new signings has been seamless, with players quickly adapting to the team’s style and tactical requirements.
Squad depth and rotation
The strength in depth of the squad has been particularly evident this season. Despite injuries to key players, the team has maintained its high performance levels. The rotation policy employed by Rodgers has kept the squad fresh while ensuring tactical familiarity isn’t compromised. Young players from the academy have also been successfully integrated into the first team, with several making impressive debuts.
The midfield department especially shows this depth, with multiple players capable of performing in different roles. This versatility has allowed Celtic to adapt their tactical approach depending on the opposition while maintaining their core playing principles. The competition for places has driven standards even higher, with established players consistently being pushed by those on the fringes of the first team.
The defensive unit deserves special mention for their adaptability. Whether facing direct, physical teams or more possession-based sides, they’ve shown the tactical flexibility to deal with different challenges. The full-backs have been particularly impressive, balancing their defensive duties with significant contributions to the attack, providing width and creating overloads in wide areas.
