The crucial Celtic phase of play that could be improved - James Dailey

Ange Postecoglou’s post-match comments were less celebratory, as he referenced various aspects of the game with which he was left unsatisfied. 

While Postecoglou’s tenure at Yokohama F Marinos included a significant number of games where he deployed a double pivot in midfield, he has been far more uniform in using a single pivot so far at Celtic.

Along with deploying a high defensive line for his centre-backs, various other aspects of play create potential vulnerabilities in defensive transitions.

While Aberdeen and most domestic opposition struggle to punish Celtic most of the time, the picture has been different against higher-quality opposition.

In Sunday’s game, the four counter-attacks conceded to Aberdeen resulted in just 0.03 in xG, chalked up from an angled shot from distance by Matty Kennedy. Let us review the four sequences for some context.

The first sequence began with Matt O’Riley being tackled from behind, which resulted in a break- note the positioning of Reo Hatate central just outside the penalty area, with Callum McGregor having started a run after attempting the pass.

Within a few seconds, the entire midfield has been bypassed, and significant space is available for Aberdeen to counter.

Despite having been in trailing positions, Celtic’s players quickly regain ground and surpass opposition players to defuse the counter. 

The second counter-attack began with Kyogo Furuhashi being tackled in an area not far from where the prior counter launched.

Hayden Coulson, on loan from Middlesbrough, picked up the ball and displayed excellent pace in possession. 

Once again, Aberdeen had possession centrally, in transition, and with a lot of space available in Celtic’s midfield. 

Celtic players again recovered quickly, with the sequence resulting in Kennedy’s shot. Note the significant space available centrally if there had been any Aberdeen midfield runners. 

The third sequence began with another McGregor attempt to place a pace and make a run.

Hatate was deeper in this instance, but again Aberdeen had possession centrally with significant space in which to transition. Fortunately, Jonny Hayes made a poor decision, and the attack sputtered quickly.

The fourth and final counter-attack began with David Turnbull having a pass deflected deep in Aberdeen’s half.

McGregor jumped to try and press the first pass, with the second bypassing Aaron Mooy.

The result was a through ball, with Cameron Carter-Vickers recovering to prevent a shot.

Obviously, the risks of these sorts of transitions increase significantly versus higher quality opponents, as was seen in the 4-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen last autumn.

Here was the first counter-attack in that game, which did not result in a goal.

McGregor, having been playing in his customary single pivot, lost a tackle to Florian Wirtz.

The amount of space in midfield was reminiscent of the counter-attacks from Sunday. That sequence ended with a timely interception of a dangerous cutback towards the penalty spot by McGregor.

Of the other six counter-attacks, two resulted in goals, with three of the remaining four having concluded in very dangerous chances.

On average, Postecoglou’s three full seasons in charge in Japan saw his Marinos side concede 3.91, 3.74, and 2.97 counter-attacks in J1 League games. The significant disparity in quality between Celtic and non-Rangers domestic opposition helped that average to be just 1.37 in league games last season.

However, the average was 3.7 in the 10 European contests starting with the Europa League playoff games versus AZ Alkmaar. 

Such transitions and midfield space appear to be inherent in Postecoglou's style of play, with significant off-ball movement by midfielders and frequent overloads.

Aberdeen did not play well enough Sunday to punish Celtic, but the sloppy passing Postecoglou lamented after the match offered insight into a phase of play that needs improvement.

With a month of domestic games prior to the first derby and Champions League match, hopefully, there is ample time to do so.