Celtic suffered a chastening 7-1 defeat away at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday evening, conceding as many objectives in that sport as they'd of their final 14 Premiership video games mixed.
Their anticipated objectives towards in Dortmund was 2.64 which is greater than they've confronted of their six Premiership video games this season (2.54).
In conceding seven objectives, Kasper Schmeichel let in two extra objectives than he had in his earlier 9 Champions League appearances mixed. The Champions League has confirmed to be a a lot harder task for The Hoops with practically as many objectives conceded within the Champions League (23) as within the Premiership (30) since Brendan Rodgers returned to the membership at the beginning of final season.
Celtic will look to put that efficiency behind them as shortly as attainable and it is a return to home soccer this Sunday with a visit to Ross County dwell on Sky Sports.
The Bhoys are high of the Premiership with a 100 per cent file. It is the twelfth time that they've gained their first six video games with three of these events coming within the final six seasons.
What makes this completely different to the latest examples is that they're but to concede a purpose which has matched their membership file set in 1906/07 and leaves them one clear sheet shy of equalling Rangers' file of seven successive high division clear sheets from the beginning of season set underneath Steven Gerrard in 2020/21.
Schmeichel has changed Joe Hart as Celtic's first alternative goalkeeper and has impressed by bringing a relaxing authority to the defensive unit.
He is simply the second goalkeeper in Scottish high division historical past to maintain six successive clear sheets from the beginning of the season, matching Thomas Sinclair who was loaned to the Bhoys by Rangers due to an harm to first alternative ‘keeper Davie Adams simply two days earlier than of the beginning of the 1906/07 season. Sinclair did not concede in any of his six league appearances for the membership earlier than returning to Rangers.
Schmeichel will likely be assured of setting a brand new benchmark this weekend with one other clear sheet at Ross County. The Dane has confronted simply 10 photographs on the right track in his six Premiership video games to date with Celtic's anticipated objectives towards standing at simply 2.54.
Celtic have gained their final two journeys to Dingwall to nil and did not face a shot on the right track within the final assembly there, a 3-0 win in November 2023. They additionally had 39 photographs, their most in any league sport because the Premiership got here into being in 2013, and 54 touches within the opposition field which has added to the stats for what has been a one-sided contest within the final 5 conferences at Dingwall.
A Celtic win at Ross County will assist raise the midweek gloom and maintain a formidable Aberdeen at bay. The Reds have additionally began the season with six wins from six and have a five-point benefit over third-placed Rangers.
For The Dons it's simply the second time of their historical past that they've began a season so nicely and they'll intention to emulate Derek McInnes' class of 2015/16 who gained their first eight Premiership video games as they completed as runners-up to Celtic.
Jimmy Thelin's aspect are essentially the most improved workforce this season and are 13 factors higher off than at the identical stage final season. Indeed, it took them till simply earlier than Christmas and 16 video games to attain as many factors final season as they've already amassed from their first six video games.
It's outstanding that Aberdeen might make it seven wins from seven at house to Hearts on Sunday but nonetheless not end the weekend on high however, as former supervisor Sir Alex Ferguson as soon as stated, ‘Attack wins you video games, defence wins you titles' and it is Celtic's again line that is driving their title defence.
The Bhoys will likely be buoyed within the information that solely as soon as within the final 17 Scottish high division seasons has the workforce with the very best defensive file not gained the title.
You can see if Celtic's defence can maintain out once more and keep their excellent begin to the season dwell on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event on Sunday. Coverage begins at 11am.