Next up for Celtic after their 1-0 win over Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership is the midweek trip to Dingwall to face an improving, in-form Ross County team. While the Staggies are undefeated in their previous four matches, they will face a tough battle against the visitors, who have not lost in the league since September. Ross County produced an impressive comeback against Dundee to claim only their third win of the season, while Celtic edged past Motherwell thanks to a Tom Rogic strike in the first half.
Ange Postecoglou’s men were able to defeat Motherwell at the weekend, with Tom Rogic scoring the only goal of the game at the end of the first half. This marked their third match in a row keeping a clean sheet as well, with Joe Hart’s experience proving vital for the Hoops, while their attacking qualities have also been clear to see.
The above visual shows us the positions from where Celtic have scored their goals this season. They have been highly clinical in the penalty area and have scored almost all of their goals from inside the penalty area. They convert most of the chances they get in the 18-yard box.
Carter-Vickers has been brilliant so far for Celtic this season. He also possesses brilliant pace, and his reading of the game is exceptional as well. His defensive stats this season have been impressive, with most of the metrics surpassing the league median value. His most noteworthy stats are his defensive duel wins, aerial duel wins, loose ball duels wins, and average recoveries per match. Celtic have only conceded 10 goals this season, and kept their ninth clean sheet against Motherwell.
Ross County had a difficult start to the 2021-22 campaign, with their poor form seeing them sit in the relegation zone, however, they have been more impressive when it comes towards the winter period. The Staggies have now gone four games without a defeat, which is their best run of the season as they have defeated Hibernian and Dundee, while drawing against Dundee United and St. Mirren.
Although Ross County came back from behind twice in their game against Dundee, they did not create as many chances against their opponents. Ross County only had six shots on goal, but they were highly effective with their attempts as only one shot from their six efforts was off target. They managed to get five shots on target and kept high pressure on their opponents. They won’t get as many chances against Celtic and will have to be clinical with the rare sights of goal they will get.
Ross County have struggled defensively so far in the season. Ross County have a low success rate in winning defensive duels and have won the third-lowest number of duels in the league. They have conceded the second-highest number of goals in the league and have only kept four clean sheets so far. They have managed to keep two clean sheets in their last four games, with their defensive qualities being needed in midweek when they compete against the Hoops, who have scored 37 times already this season.
The Staggies will have to work hard to get the points, considering the fact Celtic have not lost in the league since September as they push Rangers in the title race. Celtic are currently four points behind their Old Firm rivals and they will be keen not to slip up because of that, especially against a team in the relegation zone.
Ross County predicted starting lineup:
Maynard-Brewer, Clarke, Watson, Baldwin, Randall, Paton, Spittal, Charles-Cook, Callachan, Hungbo, Samuel.
Celtic predicted starting lineup:
Hart, Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor, Rogic, Bitton, McGregor, Abada, Henderson, Turnbull.
