After struggling to break down Dundee, Lennon spoke about changing Celtic’s “slow and pedestrian” style of play. When he returned as manager, he initially spoke of changing little. So, four games in, what has been the impact of Lennon on Celtic’s style of play?
Lennon has had three tough away games as well as a home game against in-form Aberdeen and the results have been mainly successful.
But what of the style of play?
Very simplistically and contrary to Lennon’s aim of Celtic being more direct they are averaging 534 passes per 90m under Lennon compared to an average 540 under Rodgers, only a 1% difference. Indeed, Celtic have averaged 69% possession in the last four matches compared to 66% under Rodger’s.
But there is evidence of a more direct approach in terms of getting the ball into the box quicker. Crosses attempted has risen from 15.8 per game to 23.2, a 47% increase. Unfortunately, this is leading to LESS in shots on target (5 down from 6.8) and less shots within the opposition area (9.2 down from 10.5).
Overall, Celtic’s attacking potency has declined in the last four matches:

What this shows is under Lennon Celtic are creating less chances and the chances created are of lower quality.
But is this down to a change in style?
The problem (such as it is – the results have been good) appears to be a dip in creativity. Assessing the Packing data shows this:

Celtic have achieved significantly less passes that take out opponents (down 19%) and only 8% of all passes take opponents out the game.
The net result of all this is a marked decrease in Final Third Effectiveness. This measure is the % of time possession in the final third results in something positive like a shot or corner being won. Celtic are achieving a positive outcome with 24% of final third incursions compared to 32% under Rodgers.
Is this down to Lennon?
I’d posit the decline in final third effectiveness and specifically getting the ball forward beyond opponents and creating good quality chances may be partly due to personnel (or lack of).
Celtic’s top 4 Pack Passers (per 90m) are:
Ntcham 18.39
Christie 13.66
McGregor 13.48
Tierney 13.36
The first two have been unavailable to Lennon and the latter two hampered by recovery from injury. We know Celtic have been at their most fluent with a midfield of McGregor, Christie and Rogic, not a line up available at this time.
I suspect that this is more the reason for the recent decline in attacking potency.
Look, it’s a very small sample and results have been positive. Celtic have toughed out three away wins.
It is to be hoped fluency improves with the return of the creatives (I seem to write this every season!).