What do the numbers tell us about Celtic's Premiership title win? - BBC Sport

What do the numbers tell us about Celtic's title win?

Celtic celebrate at KilmarnockImage source, SNS
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It’s official, Celtic are Scottish Premiership champions for the 12th time in 13 seasons.

Brendan Rodgers wrapped up a third top-flight crown in Scotland after his side delivered a scintillating five-goal display at Kilmarnock, but what do the numbers tell us about his team’s triumph?

From an outstanding on-field contribution to a stellar derby record, BBC Scotland has a look at the data.

Outstanding O'Riley

Image source, SNS/BBC

There's a reason why Matt O’Riley scooped fans' player of the year and players' player of the year at Celtic’s end-of-season awards.

O’Riley has been Celtic’s main man this term, and arguably the best player in the country, scoring more league goals (17) and providing more assists (13) than any of his team-mates - a combined total of 30.

Only Joe Hart has played more minutes than the Dane, who has also created a staggering 93 chances for his team-mates.

His off-the-ball work has also caught the eye, winning possession on 207 occasions and making 34 tackles.

A complete all-round midfielder.

Old Firm dominance

It's difficult to look past Celtic's Old Firm record as being the key factor in their title win.

In four derbies, they won three and drew the other - 10 points from 12 - meaning they avoided an Old Firm league defeat in a single season for the first time since 2017-18.

This season's crucial post-split win was Rangers' fourth straight defeat at Celtic Park, their longest such run in eight years.

In 17 encounters with the Ibrox side, Rodgers has lost just once. Utter domination.

Where else were points claimed?

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Celtic made light work of Dundee. Twelve points out of a possible 12 make up the biggest proportion of their 90-point tally.

Livingston and Ross County also failed to register a single point against Celtic this term, while St Mirren could also join that club on the final day.

Rodgers' side also went undefeated against Motherwell, St Johnstone, Aberdeen and Hibernian, with seven points in three games against each.

But Hearts and Kilmarnock were the two teams to cause Celtic the biggest problems.

Defeat home and away to the Tynecastle side heaped the pressure on Rodgers at different points in the season, as did a loss to Kilmarnock in December and a home draw against the Rugby Park club in February.

Rodgers' return vindicated

Despite some fan resistance, Celtic pinpointed Rodgers as the man to replace Ange Postecoglou in the hope he would continue the club’s domestic dominance.

It's been far from plain sailing, but the manager will collect his third Premiership winners’ medal on Saturday - it’s three from three across both spells.

Victory in the Scottish Cup final over Rangers would mean nine domestic honours from a possible 10 in three-and-a-half seasons as Celtic manager.

A serial winner.