Was Celtic's 2-2 draw vs Aberdeen a good or bad result?

Brendan Rodgers’ side would start the game in the right way, scoring two first-half goals courtesy of Japanese duo Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi. Following the restart, however, Jimmy Thelin’s Aberdeen side would hit back, first through substitute and then captain Graeme Shinnie, before taking the lead through Duk – though VAR ruled this one out. Celtic huffed and puffed, but could not get the winner, despite launching a late barrage on Dimitar Mitov’s goal during injury time.

Using StatsBomb data and metrics, The Celtic Way’s Ryan McGinlay brings you a match report unlike any other…

Key stats + race chart

Looking at the stats from yesterday’s game, Rodgers will be wondering how Celtic did not manage to win this game, with the most eye-catching data being the home side’s shot total. Indeed, 33 chances were created by the hosts, though only seven of those were on target. With 73 per cent possession, 747 attempted passes (647 executed) and 87 per cent pass completion, Celtic were dominant for large spells of this contest, though they were wasteful in front of goal.

Observing the race chart from the game, which creates a graph based on xG totals, Celtic were ahead of Aberdeen in terms of chances for the majority of the game, but the visitors executed theirs better when they came around. Look at the rising graph in injury time, as Celtic turned the screw but failed to find the back of Mitov’s net. On another day, Rodgers’ side win this game at a canter.

Formation + passing

Rodgers changed his formation slightly according to StatsBomb, as our data provider has Celtic lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Kasper Schmeichel was between the sticks, as Alex Valle, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales and Alistair Johnston made up the rest of the defence. Captain Callum McGregor started in the base of midfield, joined by Hatate and Arne Engels, while Kyogo led the line, supported by Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda on the right and left wing respectively.

Taking a look at the passing network – which is calculated through OBV (on-ball value), Celtic had a couple of standout performers in this metric in the shape of Hatate and Kuhn, as is shown by the warmer shaded circle on the diagram. Scales, Valle, McGregor and Johnston also had positive performances in this area for Rodgers’ side.

Kuhn was the top performer in this metric statistically, scoring 0.24 for 36 passes, while Hatate managed 0.19 for 38 passes. Engels, Maeda and Schmeichel all recorded negative OBV scores in this one.

Despite being a second-half substitute, Paulo Bernardo managed the most key passes for Celtic with four. The man he replaced – Engels – had three, as did Johnston and Kuhn. Hatate contributed two.

Shooting

As mentioned previously, Celtic were very wasteful in front of goal yesterday, which is displayed clearly on their shot map. Aberdeen must be given credit, as the volume of blocks that they managed to pull off was impressive on the day. Those three yellow circles in the keeper’s box are chances that the likes of Adam Idah, Trusty and Scales should be putting away, though Mitov stood firm in the Aberdeen goal. 

The highlight of the game from Celtic’s perspective is undoubtedly Hatate’s goal, which occurred in the 23rd minute of the match. Following a through ball from Engels, Kyogo wandered out wide, before passing the ball into the direction of his Japan teammate, whose powerful shot left Mitov with no chance in the Aberdeen goals. 

A hard chance to execute, Hatate’s shot was calculated as 0.17 in xG, before rising to 0.74 in PSxG following the shot leaving the midfielder’s boot. A quality strike from Celtic’s best midfielder on the day.

Celtic’s second goal was a scrappier affair, as the ball ricocheted to Kyogo following some goalmouth blocks from Aberdeen. The striker would pick up his fifth goal of the season, expertly finishing from close range amidst all the chaos going on around him. 

A good chance at 0.43 in xG, Kyogo’s shot rose to 0.70, a good finish from a good striker in and around these areas.

Kuhn - Celtic’s best attacking player this season - had a massive six shots in this game, though his collective xG was only 0.31. James Forrest – like Bernardo – had a big impact coming off the bench, with five shots, while Hatate and Idah had four. Engels managed three.

Pressing + defending

Celtic were well and truly outpressured by their opponents, as the visitors managed 276 to the home side’s 99. Despite this, Aberdeen only managed four more pressure regains than their opposition, at a rate of 29-33. Engels led the way with 15 pressures, while Scales, Maeda and Kuhn had 11 to their name. Engels, Hatate and McGregor each had three counterpressures.

Defensively in terms of tackles and interceptions, Scales was Celtic’s best defensive option, with five combined in this metric - Johnston had four. Valle was dominant in the air, winning five aerial duels at a percentage of 83, while Scales won four of his battles.

Final thoughts

My thoughts on this game have understandably changed over the past 24 hours or so, given the result at Rugby Park concerning Rangers. Though Celtic dropped points for the first time this season, they actually gained a point over their Glasgow rivals thanks to Rangers’ defeat away from home today.

Even still, there is a tinge of disappointment concerning the dropping of points, especially with the barrage of attacks that Celtic threw at Thelin’s side. 33 shots is a massive total for Celtic, though only seven making their way on target and troubling Mitov is a pitiful showing, especially with the firepower that Rodgers has at his disposal. 

A difficult week awaits the club in Europe against Atalanta, as well as a challenging away game at Fir Park versus Motherwell. They were not punished yesterday thanks to results elsewhere, but they cannot allow this domestic blip to become a skid.

Damage averted, but lessons must be learned going forward for Rodgers and Celtic.