Graeme Souness, a Rangers legend and former manager, has once again found himself critiquing Celtic, despite their emphatic win over Rangers at Parkhead last Sunday.
Souness, known for his strong views, has admitted that the difference between the two sides on the day was not as large as the scoreline might suggest. Instead, he pointed to Celtic’s superior finishing in front of goal, rather than any glaring disparity in overall play.
In typical Souness fashion, he offered a candid assessment of the match, downplaying Celtic’s dominance and suggesting that their performance had been overstated.
While the result was convincing, with Celtic running out 3-0 winners, Souness took an unusual route to make his case, diving into the statistics to defend his old side.
“You have to put the ball in the back of the net and right now they have better strikers than us,” Souness remarked bluntly.
His statement cuts to the heart of what he believes was the deciding factor in the match: Celtic’s ruthlessness in front of goal. But when it was suggested that the gap between the two teams might be wider than just the quality of their strikers, Souness responded with a measured argument.
“Is it?” he retorted. “Can I read some stats to you from yesterday’s game? Pretend you don’t know the result…”
Souness then proceeded to reel off the figures that, in his mind, told a different story than the scoreline did.
“Celtic had 53 per cent possession and Rangers 47 per cent at Parkhead, that’s not bad for an away team. Celtic had 14 shots, Rangers 13. Celtic had four on target, Rangers four on target. Does that sound like a one-sided game to you? There’s no doubt a gap, but for me, it is because Celtic have better strikers.”
His analysis, while not diminishing Celtic’s achievement, attempts to paint a more balanced picture of the match.
For Souness, the stats reflect a closer contest than many would acknowledge, with the crucial difference being the finishing quality. Celtic’s attackers capitalised on their opportunities, while Rangers struggled to do the same.
Interestingly, Souness’s comments gained some unintended support with the announcement of the SPFL’s Team of the Week.
Despite their dominant display, only one Celtic player, Daizen Maeda, made it into the squad. This has led some to question whether Souness was, in fact, correct in his appraisal of Celtic’s performance.
Were they truly as impressive as the scoreline suggested, or did Rangers’ shortcomings, particularly in front of goal, flatter the hosts?
The SPFL’s Team of the Week provides an interesting lens through which to view the weekend’s action, with the line-up dominated by players from other teams, many of whom were involved in tightly contested matches across Scotland’s top leagues.
Goalkeeper – Dimitar Mitov (Aberdeen)
Aberdeen extended their excellent start to the William Hill Premiership season with a fourth consecutive victory, courtesy of a dramatic injury-time goal by Kevin Nisbet at Ross County. However, the hero of the day was undoubtedly Mitov, whose crucial penalty save from Ronan Hale kept the scoreline at 0-0 and allowed his side to secure the 1-0 win in the dying moments.
Defender – Daniel Strachan (Peterhead)
Peterhead’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Edinburgh City was in large part due to the contributions of Strachan. The full-back provided two assists as his side secured their place at the top of William Hill League 2, maintaining their unbeaten record after five games.
Defender – Dan Casey (Motherwell)
Casey was instrumental in Motherwell’s 2-1 win over St Johnstone, contributing both defensively and offensively. He not only scored but also provided an assist, playing a key role in Motherwell’s second successive league victory.
Defender – Kerr Young (Bonnyrigg Rose)
Young was solid at the back for Bonnyrigg Rose, helping them keep a clean sheet in their 2-0 win over Stranraer in William Hill League 2. His defensive performance was complemented by his opening goal, a crucial moment in securing his team’s second win of the season.
Defender – Reis Peggie (East Fife)
East Fife’s dominant 5-1 win over Clyde saw two players score braces, yet it was Peggie who walked away with the Man of the Match award. His outstanding performance on both ends of the pitch was key to his side’s victory, and his teammates’ efforts were bolstered by his contributions.
Midfielder – Blair Alston (Stenhousemuir)
Stenhousemuir’s 5-1 demolition of Annan Athletic was headlined by Alston’s remarkable seven-minute hat-trick. His second-half heroics kept his side at the top of William Hill League 1 and earned him the title of Star Man for the week.
Midfielder – Stuart Bannigan (Partick Thistle)
Bannigan returned to the Partick Thistle midfield and made an immediate impact, driving his side to a convincing 3-0 win over Queen’s Park in the William Hill Championship. His presence in midfield was pivotal to his team’s dominance.
Midfielder – Dylan Tait (Falkirk)
Tait played a crucial role in Falkirk’s dramatic comeback against Greenock Morton. Down 2-0, Tait won a penalty for the first goal, scored the second, and set up the third, leading his team to a stunning 3-2 victory. This win extended Falkirk’s remarkable unbeaten run to 42 league games.
Midfielder – Will Ferry (Dundee United)
Ferry continued his impressive start to the season with another standout performance in Dundee United’s 1-0 win over Hearts. His assist for the only goal of the game helped secure United’s first victory at Tynecastle in over a decade.
Forward – Daizen Maeda (Celtic)
Maeda was once again the star of the Old Firm, scoring the opening goal in Celtic’s 3-0 triumph over Rangers. The Japanese international terrorised Rangers’ defence throughout the match, his energy and pace a constant threat.
Forward – Oli Shaw (Hamilton Accies)
Shaw’s brace for Hamilton Accies seemed set to deliver all three points against Airdrieonians, only for a late fightback to result in a 2-2 draw. Nevertheless, Shaw’s early-season form has been impressive, with three goals already to his name.
This line-up certainly provides food for thought, especially for those inclined to agree with Souness that Celtic’s overall performance may have been overstated.