When you’ve scored 44 goals in 16 league games, fans expect a certain level of attacking threat. However, Celtic’s 0-0 draw with Dundee United this afternoon revealed the harsh reality that not even the most prolific teams are immune to an off day. While it wasn’t a result anyone at Celtic will have been happy with, the Fotmob stats behind the game tell a story of missed opportunities, a lack of clinical finishing, and a performance far below the high standards set by Brendan Rodgers’ side this season.
An Uncharacteristic Lack of Cutting Edge
The Hoops registered 17 shots, a considerable number, but only tested United’s keeper, Jack Walton, three times. This statistic alone highlights just how much Celtic struggled to convert chances into meaningful opportunities. Their expected goals (xG) for the game stood at just 0.87, a stark contrast to the 44 goals they’ve already scored in the Scottish Premiership this season. With such a low xG figure, it’s clear that while they controlled possession, the Bhoys’ finishing was far from the clinical level they’ve set in recent weeks.
For comparison, United had 2 shots, none of which were on target, highlighting the solid defensive work of Celtic’s backline. While they might not have been at their attacking best, the Hoops’ defensive solidity ensured they walked away with a clean sheet, extending their unbeaten away streak against United to 12 games in all competitions.
A Stubborn United Defence
It’s easy to overlook just how well Dundee United defended in this match. Brendan Rodgers’ men had 22 shots in total, with nine of those coming from inside the box, but failed to break down a resilient United defence. The hosts did well to restrict Celtic to just 0.79 xG from open play and a mere 0.33 from set-pieces, showcasing how difficult it can be to break down a well-organised team on a difficult pitch in tough weather conditions. United’s ability to frustrate Celtic in key moments highlighted their disciplined defensive approach to the game, but also Celtic’s failure to find that clinical edge that they so often have done this season.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Missed Opportunities in the Final Third
Looking deeper at the stats, Celtic’s struggles are even more clear to see. With a passing accuracy of 91%, they dominated possession, 739 passes to United’s 229,, and won the battle in the opposition half, 516 passes to 223. But when it came to creating clear-cut chances, there was a lack of urgency and a distinct lack of creativity in the final third. For all their passing and ball retention, Celtic’s ability to break down United’s defence was severely lacking.
Their xG in open play stood at 0.47, which suggests they weren’t creating high-quality opportunities. With Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda not quite firing, and Yang Hyun-jun unable to provide the spark expected of him, it was a day where Celtic’s usual attacking flair just didn’t materialise. Even when they did get into the final third, their decision-making let them down as they struggled to create that one decisive moment.
Moving Forward: A Temporary Blip?
Despite this frustrating result, Celtic remain unbeaten at the top of the Scottish Premiership, with a nine-point cushion over second-placed Rangers. Rodgers will no doubt be hoping this performance is just a temporary blip, especially with key fixtures on the horizon, including the Glasgow derby in 11 days. If the Hoops are to maintain their strong start to the season, they’ll need to rediscover their cutting edge in front of goal, something that was sorely missing this afternoon.
For now, though, Celtic fans will be hoping this is just a momentary slip in an otherwise brilliant season. With the January transfer window around the corner, it’s likely that Rodgers will be looking to add more firepower to the squad, particularly in wide areas, to ensure the team doesn’t fall short when it matters most in the business end of the season.
