Celtic pass the ball long less often than any other team in the SPFL, data from Wyscout has revealed. Meanwhile Championship side Morton have used the highest percentage of long balls in any of the four leagues in their four games so far.
Ange Postecoglou 's team have been revered for their fast-paced style of football and they are reaping the rewards so far. While their recent form has slumped somewhat, they sit top of the Premiership and have scored comfortably more goals (29) than any other team in Scotland. It seems moving the ball quick and across the deck has been central to their charge as Wyscout data shows only six per cent of their passes so far can be categorised as long.
For context, rivals Rangers come in at second with eight per cent, while Aberdeen (11 per cent), Hibs (11 per cent) and surprisingly League One side Falkirk (14 per cent) round out the top five. The data, shared and visualised by East Kilbride assistant manager Bill Orr on Twitter, measures how many of a team's passes have been 45+ meters along the ground or 25+ meters in the air.
At the other end of the spectrum, Morton have endured a mixed start to the season under Dougie Imrie and they've not been shy to kick it long, with a mammoth 26 per cent of their passes falling into that category. St Mirren play long balls more often than any other top flight team (22 per cent) but that strategy is working for Stephen Robinson's team who currently occupy a European spot.
Hearts come in at sixth just behind Falkirk with six of the top ten coming from the Premiership, showing a clear correlation between standard of football and short passing.
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