Schmeichel's breakout Celtic game versus Kilmarnock analysed

The win came on the back of two crucial wins in the preceding days, first securing a place in the League Cup final with a dominant performance against high-flying Aberdeen and then following that up with a pulsating victory over Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in the Champions League. However, this time, Brendan Rodgers’ men had to dig deep against a resilient Kilmarnock side that made them work for the three points.

Celtic’s past struggles on Rugby Park's artificial surface were well-known, losing twice at the same venue last season, and Kilmarnock’s aggressive approach out of possession caused problems for the visitors. But despite the pressure, Celtic stood firm, with goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel playing a pivotal role, not just with some big saves but with his calmness and composure on the ball. 

Schmeichel’s ability to play through and over Kilmarnock’s press was vital in helping Celtic progress the ball and manage the game, especially in challenging moments. In this piece, we take a closer look at Schmeichel’s influential performance, focusing on how his distribution, as well as his important saves, were key to Celtic's resilience at Rugby Park...

Pass to Trusty (5 mins)

Schmeichel’s ability to remain calm under pressure on the ball and help facilitate build-up play has been exceptional since he joined the club in the summer. Kilmarnock’s aggressive approach at the weekend, pressing Celtic high as any other Premiership side has this season, tested the Danish international’s ability on the ball. 

Celtic’s number one remained unflappable in possession though. On a difficult surface, he took the ball from his defenders to help relieve pressure and kept the play moving. An early example of this was in the opening five minutes.

As the home side pressed high in the opening period down Celtic’s left, Schmeichel received a ball from centre-back Auston Trusty on the edge of his six-yard box. 

With Matty Kennedy bearing down, Schmeichel opened up his body to confidently play the ball down the side of the Killie forward first time back to Trusty. A touch here could have allowed Kennedy the opportunity to put pressure on him, but the goalkeeper’s confidence to play the ball first time took the forward out of the game and allowed Celtic to then progress the ball up and out the other side through Trusty and right-back Alistair Johnston.

Pass to Idah (21 mins)

Kilmarnock continued to press high as the first half went on. Going man for man, as can be seen in the below example, they restricted Celtic’s options for going short to good effect on several occasions.

Rodgers was clearly prepared for this, opting for Adam Idah over Kyogo in his starting eleven to give Celtic an option to miss out the Kilmarnock press and play straight into a more physical centre-forward. This was similar to the approach in Atalanta and exactly what Schmeichel did in this example here. 

Moving the ball to the edge of his box, the keeper whipped a pass through the Killie press. Although he ended up on his backside (not sure we blame the pitch for that one!), his pass picked out Idah, who laid the ball back for Arne Engels, giving Celtic controlled possession higher up the pitch.

There were further examples in the first half where Schmeichel accurately clipped balls into Idah. Although the Irish striker was not always effective at holding the ball in, it did relieve pressure and, like the example just highlighted, gave Celtic the chance to then progress the ball in more advanced areas. 

Save from Kennedy shot (69 mins)

As mentioned, Kilmarnock managed an impressive six shots on target on the champion’s goal on Sunday. As important as his ability on the ball was, Schmeichel had to make important saves when required, too. The pick of these was probably his stop from Kennedy midway through the second half.

Good pressing from the home side forced McGregor to turn the ball over just outside the box on the right side of Celtic’s defensive third. This allowed Kennedy to race into the middle of the box, dropping the shoulder to evade Scales and get a shot away. 

Although close to Schmeichel, it was struck low and firm, with the keeper getting down brilliantly to not only stop the shot but also deflect the ball well away from danger. 

Statistically, his best save of the same (Kennedy’s effort carried a post-shot xG of 0.43 according to StatsBomb’s data), it came at a crucial time with Nicolas Kuhn going on to extend the lead just minutes later to give Celtic a cushion going into the last 20 minutes. 

Pass to Forrest (83 mins)

Schmeichel kept his best work on the ball for the second half, too. He retained his composure on the ball as Celtic, as they did so well against Leipzig, managed the game out effectively in the closing stages.

No moment summed this up more than Schmeichel’s swivel to evade pressure from the home side’s striker, Innes Cameron, before arrowing a ball down the right that picked out substitute James Forrest.

What the numbers say...

Data from Sunday’s match further reinforces Schmeichel’s pivotal role in Ayrshire. Although Kilmarnock managed an admirable volume of efforts on target and a cumulative xG of 1.71 to Celtic’s 1.37, they only clocked up a post-shot xG of 0.77 (StatsBomb). As much as the home side may not have executed as they would have hoped for when those moments arrived, the Dane also stood up well to their efforts. He made six saves, which was his most on domestic duty for Celtic so far and only one less than he made in both away Champions League matches. 

Distribution-wise, according to Wyscout, Schmeichel attempted 30 short passes, completing all but one of them. That one incomplete short pass on Sunday was his first in a domestic match for Celtic, with the former Leicester City keeper completing 370 of his 371 short passes attempted in the league and league cup. 

Schmeichel also completed 62 per cent of his long passes, with his 13 total attempted, his highest volume of long passes this season. The next highest was away at Atalanta in the Champions League (12). 

Conclusion

Sunday’s trip to Kilmarnock was arguably Celtic’s toughest domestic test of the season. Coming off two physically and emotionally draining matches in cup competitions, leaving Rugby Park with all three points to maintain their position at the top of the league was far from a foregone conclusion.
Yet, Celtic showed a different side of their game, standing up to Kilmarnock’s physicality and a well-organised game plan to secure a crucial victory.

While it was very much a collective team effort, Schmeichel’s contribution was pivotal. His performance wasn’t just defined by the number of saves he made – although he did have one of his busiest afternoons in a Celtic shirt – but by his composure on the ball and his ability to calmly play through or over Kilmarnock, relieving pressure when it mattered most.

As Rodgers noted after the match, this was a game where Celtic could easily have dropped points, just as they had at the same venue last season. But thanks in part to Schmeichel’s showing – both in goal and with his distribution – the team found a way to secure a vital win that keeps Celtic well on track in the league.