Celtic profligacy comes to fore in wasteful display but Liel Abada helps add a silver lining - tactical and data match report against Dundee United

Goals & shots

While it was relatively tight for the first 20 minutes, Celtic created much better chances throughout the match and underperformed in front of goal by scoring once with a xG value of 3.16.As the chart shows, Ange Postecoglou’s men would have won this match 87 per cent of the time.

The Hoops managed 23 shots on goal in the game and largely created these opportunities in the box, something that had started to slip somewhat in recent weeks. Of the 23, only six were outside the box. Furthermore, Celtic got off three shots in the box from their nine corners and, overall, 19 of their attempts came from open play.

Despite a few higher-quality chances, the disappointing thing will be that most attempts did not even test Dundee United keeper Benjamin Siegrist. Liel Abada’s header aside, all of Celtic’s decent opportunities were missed rather than saved and Siegrist emerged from the match having faced just five shots on target with a post-shot xG of less than one. Tellingly, Celtic’s shots off target accumulated a total xG value of 2.03.

Individually, Jota topped the charts for shots with seven while Liel Abada and Albian Ajeti were joint next best on four. The Swiss striker’s 1.42 xG value includes his 19th-minute sitter which had a 0.65 rating.

United’s well-taken equaliser was the only one of their 12 shots that was of statistical high-quality  – it had a value of 0.34 largely thanks to Ian Harkes’ unmarked run and his proximity to goal. Like Siegrist, Joe Hart faced five shots on target, pulling off three saves including a timely stop from Louis Appere’s breakaway in the 90th minute.

Possession, passing & crossing

Celtic’s passing network map closer resembled their usual type after a cooler day against Livingston in their last league outing.

On that occasion only Cameron Carter-Vickers was a warm colour, meaning he was heavily involved in threatening moves. Against United most players except, naturally, goalkeeper Hart turned in more involved performances.

The team largely kept its shape well enough in another ball-dominant display in which they had 63 per cent possession and attempted 625 passes. It is notable, however, that United’s 375 attempted passes is the most from a visiting domestic opponent at Parkhead so far this season and only four off the amount Rangers managed during Celtic’s 1-0 Glasgow derby defeat at Ibrox in August.

When it comes to average positions, it’s interesting to note the slight changes between halves. The most obvious one is Tom Rogic getting more involved and playing further forward after the break but it also suggests Ismaila Soro was more effective in central midfield than James McCarthy, who he replaced at half-time.

In terms of individuals, Carl Starfelt had the most touches (242) while no attacking player was involved in any of Celtic’s top-five most common passing combinations.

David Turnbull played the most key passes with four, though only one of these was from open play and both Abada and Jota were statistically more threatening with the three they played apiece.

Likewise, Abada and Jota supplied the bulk of Celtic’s 32 crosses – the second week in a row they have broken their season 2021-22 record for number attempted. Both wingers put in 10 crosses with 40 per cent success, with one of Jota’s providing the assist for Abada’s headed goal.

Pressing & defending

Much of the play was focused down the flanks, with Celtic’s pressure heatmap suggesting the most intense action was nearer the halfway line than the opposition goal, as is customary for a home game.

What is interesting to note is that, usually, Celtic are around 50 or 60 behind their opponents in total pressures. This is largely due to their ball-dominant style and indeed this game was pretty much on the level in that sense.

With pressure regains, however, the Hoops tend to be around the same level as their opponents. Even in the derby defeat to Rangers, they were 10 behind. Against United it was 20 (14 for Celtic v 34 for the Tangerines), suggesting Postecoglou’s men weren’t quite as adept at winning the ball back after losing it as they usually are and the Terrors were perhaps better than others at keeping it after dispossessing their hosts.

Individually, Dundee United players led the way with Rogic topping the charts for Celtic with 18 total pressures. Soro, notably, was runner-up with 14 despite only playing half the game. It was the same top two for counter-pressures, with Soro most persistent in terms of duration per pressure (1.6 compared to Rogic’s 0.7).

Player focus: Liel Abada

While Jota has rightly garnered a lot of plaudits for his skilful, driven display there was another bright spot for Celtic in Israel international Abada.

As well as his impressive headed goal, Abada racked up a xG assist value of 1.08 off three key passes from open play  – chief among those when he presented Ajeti’s chance on a plate in the 19th minute.

In addition, the 19-year-old played six passes into the box from open play – double that of any other player – and completed 40 per cent of his crosses.

He combined his attacking output with decent defensive contribution of two tackles and three aerial duel wins in yet another useful display as his exciting start to life at Celtic continued.