Celtic tactical and data match report against Dundee

Passing networks and average positions

The warmer the colour the more dangerous the player was in the game, so in a quite remarkable performance every Celtic starter played their part. It is worth contrasting this display with the map from the FC Midtjylland match (below) where most Celtic players were cool colours even though they dominated possession. Conversely, every Celt was red-hot against Dundee... literally in terms of the chart.

Meanwhile, Kyogo Furuhashi's marker in the Dundee match indicates he was not only heavily involved in play but also that he held his position high up the pitch as well to provide the team with a clear focal point.

Comparing the first half to the second half, James Forrest was clearly involved quite a lot in his 25 minutes. Odsonne Edouard, too, was moderately active (including playing the pass through to Liel Abada that led to the penalty).

It is interesting to note that Tom Rogic, despite scoring after the break, sat slightly deeper and did not see as much of the ball in the second half before coming off in the 64th minute.

xG race chart

After a low-key opening period, Celtic's utter dominance in terms of chances created is laid bare from the 10th-minute Kyogo chance onwards. Based on xG, Celtic would have won this game 100 per cent of the time.

Shot maps

Postecoglou will be delighted by the centrality of the shots Celtic took as well as the volume of them they got off inside the box. There was a similar output in terms of shot location against FK Jablonec, suggesting the manager's style is taking hold when the players get into the final third.

Pressure maps

Celtic pressed all over the pitch in the rare spells they did not have the ball, but the left flank, in particular, saw a lot of action which is perhaps testament to the boundless Ryan Christie. Indeed, he led the team in overall pressures (18) as well as counter-pressures (seven).

Player focus: Callum McGregor

Kyogo and Christie rightly dominated the headlines after the match but McGregor was still very much at the centre of it all for Celtic. 

Callum McGregor heatmap v Dundee

The captain quite simply orchestrated proceedings with his passing (95 per cent accuracy / 4.10 xG build-up ), his spoiling any semblance of a Dundee comeback (a team-high six combined tackles plus interceptions with 100 per cent dribbles successfully defended) and his driving the team forward time and time again with balls into the final third (10.55 deep progressions).

Don't be surprised to see him utilised as the single pivot at Parkhead fairly often this season.