Celtic now stand nine points clear of Rangers and hold a 15-goal advantage over Aberdeen following their 2-0 victory over Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.
Under Brendan Rodgers’ guidance, the Hoops controlled the match, though the scoreline could have been far more decisive, echoing their seven-goal rout of Tony Docherty’s side the last time they faced off at Celtic Park.
Celtic secured the three points through goals from Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels, keeping their position at the top of the league comfortably intact.
However, a comment from BBC’s Phil Goodlad has raised eyebrows. Goodlad described the win as “dodgy” on The Scottish Football Podcast, sparking debate among fans and pundits alike.
“Celtic still top on goal difference from Aberdeen after a stodgy 2-0 win last night… at home against Dundee,” said Goodlad.
“And I say dodgy because, in the first half, they had a couple of big chances, but Dundee stuck in, held it together. And maybe going out for the second half, you thought, ‘I wonder if the big headline of the night will come in the East End of Glasgow’.”
However, the statistics tell a very different story, suggesting Celtic’s dominance was anything but “dodgy.” According to BBC’s own match data, Celtic’s control of the game was emphatic.
Here’s a breakdown:
Possession: Celtic 79.6% to Dundee’s 20.4%
Shots: Celtic 23, Dundee 3
Shots on target: Celtic 5, Dundee 1
Shots off target: Celtic 12, Dundee 1
Shots blocked: Celtic 7, Dundee 1
Touches in the opposition box: Celtic 41, Dundee 10
Corners: Celtic 7, Dundee 2
The stats underscore Celtic’s overwhelming control, and it’s evident they were unlucky not to put the game beyond doubt before halftime.
Rodgers’ tactical adjustments, including three impactful second-half substitutions, further strengthened Celtic’s grip on the game.
It’s not the first time this season that the Celtic boss has successfully relied on squad depth to ensure a result.
While Goodlad may have found the win “dodgy,” the figures suggest otherwise. Celtic’s performance was a commanding one, solidifying their standing at the summit of Scottish football. As for dodgy performances, there was only one on the night—and it wasn’t at Celtic Park.