Celtic are Europe’s Pass Masters under Ange Postecoglou

Celtic have come some way under Ange Postecoglou since the Greek-Aussie decided to up sticks and head to Glasgow from Japan. In a matter of months the former Yokohama F. Marinos boss has taken the club from an empty husk bereft from losing its opportunity to make history, to one which is competing on various fronts with a Cup Final date lying in wait for 19 December. Quite astounding when you think about it.

However, there has been statistics that have revealed just how far that Celtic Football Club has come under Postecoglou in these past few months and it’s in regards to passing. According to CIES Football Observatory (via Herald Sport), the Hoops are ahead of the likes of Ajax, Bayern Munich and even Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in terms of moving the ball on the field of play. The data collection is from over 40 leagues throughout the world and sees the Hoops sit top of the pile.

20th November 2021; Hampden Park, Glasgow City, Scotland; Scottish League Cup semi-final, Celtic versus St Johnstone;

Celtic are ranked first and have made 735 passes having an average length of 17.5 metres, whilst the ball has moved an average of 12.8km between the team so far this season. Another interesting fact that has been garnered by the study is that the Bhoys are a full kilometre ahead of their closest challengers in the overall table. Unbelievable when you consider what Ange inherited merely a few short months ago.

Felipe Jota also spoke of this philosophy of which the players have all bought into recently in an interview with the Celtic View podcast. He said to The Celtic View Podcast- see below): “It’s been great. Ange has really good ideas, his philosophy of the game is something I’ve been looking for all these years. We just want to keep the ball, create the space, see the opportunities coming and just finish. I think we are doing it quite well, and I’m just enjoying the game. Everyone knows what to do inside the pitch, and I think we are getting to know each other better day by day. So, things are going good.”

20th November 2021; Hampden Park, Glasgow City, Scotland; Scottish League Cup semi-final, Celtic versus St Johnstone; Liel Abada of Celtic on the ball

Things are definitely coming together at Celtic Park for Ange Postecoglou. His next priority will be to get to the January transfer window within touching distance of first place in the league table. If we can do that and win at Paradise against our main rival, with additions this league could swing in our favour.

Paul Gillespie

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About Author

I'm a Garngad Bhoy through and through. My first ever Celtic game was a friendly against Italian side Parma at Celtic Park, in 2002. Currently a student of English Literature and Education at the University of Strathclyde for my sins. Favourite game would be a toss up between beating Manchester United with that Naka freekick, or the game against the Oldco when Hesselink scored in the dying seconds. I'm still convinced Cal Mac is wasted playing that far back.

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