We are now half way through the 2014-15 Scottish Premiership season and nobody can deny it's been an exciting campaign so far. Back in August, few would've believed that come December only four points would separate the reigning champions Celtic and second place Dundee United. With so many strikers this season finding the net regularly and also providing vital assists, this article will show that despite some fans labeling players as 'awful', 'dreadful' or 'dire', statistics can show things that would other wise go unnoticed. Here are the Scottish Premiership's top 7 attackers according to the stats.
7. John Guidetti
The 22 year old Swede arrived at Celtic park 6 weeks into the season on loan, failing to make an appearance for parent club Manchester City since he joined six years ago. So far in his time with 'the Hoops', he has played in 13 matches, scoring six goals and assisting three. He's played 920 minutes for Celtic and holds the third highest 'minutes per goal' stats in the league, averaging a goal every 153 minutes. Guidetti started his Celtic career well, scoring six goals in his first nine matches, however, he has now gone four matches without a goal, and for that reason as well as his lack of assists, the 'new Henrik Larsson' has only made sixth place.
Minutes per goal- 153.
Minutes played- 920.
Goals- 6.
Assists-3.
Longest without scoring- 4 matches.
6. Greg Stewart
24 year old Stewart has had a cracking first four months with Dundee FC, boasting seven goals and three assists. Playing in 1,149 of the 1,150 minutes total this season, Stewart has performed consistently and shown the ability to score when his team are loosing, scoring three goals in matches Dundee have been behind in.
Minutes per goal- 164.
Minutes played- 1,449.
Goals- 7.
Assists-3.
Longest without scoring- 4 matches.
5. David Clarkson
Dundee's September signing David Clarkson has played only 804 minutes this season, yet is the fourth top goalscorer in the league with seven goals. Belshill born Clarkson has the best 'minutes per goal ratio' in the league, however, after seven goals in seven matches, the striker has failed to net in his last three games.
Minutes per goal- 115.
Minutes played- 804.
Goals- 7.
Assists-2.
Longest without scoring- 3 matches.
4. Mikael Antoine-Curier
Although the 6'3 Hamilton striker is only fourth top goalscorer in the league, the Frenchman's impressive assist tally has seen him collect fourth spot. He's played only 1,197 minutes this season and scored pretty consistently for the East of Scotland club. The longest he has gone without scoring this season is four matches.
Minutes per goal- 171.
Minutes played- 1,197.
Goals- 7.
Assists-5.
Longest without scoring- 4 matches.
3. Anthony Stokes
Despite the Irishman being disliked by many of the Celtic Park faithful, there is no doubt that this season, Stokes' statistics have improved greatly. The striker - currently playing in a wider role under Ronny Deila has the third highest goal tally in the league and has chipped in with a healthy sum of five assists, the joint top in the Scottish Premiership.
Minutes per goal- 165.
Minutes played- 1,153.
Goals- 7.
Assists-5.
Longest without scoring- 5 matches.
2. Nadir Ciftci- Dundee United
The 22 year old Turk may not be banging in the goals as frequently as the end of last season, however, Ciftci is the second highest goalscorer in the league with 8 goals, as well as 5 assists - the exact same as former St Johnstone striker Stevie May this time last year. Although boasting a decent goal scoring record, in his 25 goals for United, he has only ever scored once goal in a match United have lost in.
Minutes per goal- 165.
Minutes played- 1,320.
Goals- 8.
Assists-5.
Longest without scoring- 3 matches.
1. Tony Andreu- Hamilton
Without doubt, Hamilton have been the surprise packages this season, many expecting them to be an easy three points, however, the Accies have lost only four matches and find themselves in fourth place. Much of this is due to the partnership that Antoine-Curier and attacking midfielder Tony Andreu have created. The clinical attacker has played only 1,175 minutes this season yet been involved in 14 or Hamilton's 30 goals this season.
Minutes per goal- 118.
Minutes played- 1,175
Goals- 11.
Assists-3.
Longest without scoring- 1 match.
Joseph James
7. John Guidetti
The 22 year old Swede arrived at Celtic park 6 weeks into the season on loan, failing to make an appearance for parent club Manchester City since he joined six years ago. So far in his time with 'the Hoops', he has played in 13 matches, scoring six goals and assisting three. He's played 920 minutes for Celtic and holds the third highest 'minutes per goal' stats in the league, averaging a goal every 153 minutes. Guidetti started his Celtic career well, scoring six goals in his first nine matches, however, he has now gone four matches without a goal, and for that reason as well as his lack of assists, the 'new Henrik Larsson' has only made sixth place.
Minutes per goal- 153.
Minutes played- 920.
Goals- 6.
Assists-3.
Longest without scoring- 4 matches.
6. Greg Stewart
24 year old Stewart has had a cracking first four months with Dundee FC, boasting seven goals and three assists. Playing in 1,149 of the 1,150 minutes total this season, Stewart has performed consistently and shown the ability to score when his team are loosing, scoring three goals in matches Dundee have been behind in.
Minutes per goal- 164.
Minutes played- 1,449.
Goals- 7.
Assists-3.
Longest without scoring- 4 matches.
5. David Clarkson
Dundee's September signing David Clarkson has played only 804 minutes this season, yet is the fourth top goalscorer in the league with seven goals. Belshill born Clarkson has the best 'minutes per goal ratio' in the league, however, after seven goals in seven matches, the striker has failed to net in his last three games.
Minutes per goal- 115.
Minutes played- 804.
Goals- 7.
Assists-2.
Longest without scoring- 3 matches.
4. Mikael Antoine-Curier
Although the 6'3 Hamilton striker is only fourth top goalscorer in the league, the Frenchman's impressive assist tally has seen him collect fourth spot. He's played only 1,197 minutes this season and scored pretty consistently for the East of Scotland club. The longest he has gone without scoring this season is four matches.
Minutes per goal- 171.
Minutes played- 1,197.
Goals- 7.
Assists-5.
Longest without scoring- 4 matches.
3. Anthony Stokes
Despite the Irishman being disliked by many of the Celtic Park faithful, there is no doubt that this season, Stokes' statistics have improved greatly. The striker - currently playing in a wider role under Ronny Deila has the third highest goal tally in the league and has chipped in with a healthy sum of five assists, the joint top in the Scottish Premiership.
Minutes per goal- 165.
Minutes played- 1,153.
Goals- 7.
Assists-5.
Longest without scoring- 5 matches.
2. Nadir Ciftci- Dundee United
The 22 year old Turk may not be banging in the goals as frequently as the end of last season, however, Ciftci is the second highest goalscorer in the league with 8 goals, as well as 5 assists - the exact same as former St Johnstone striker Stevie May this time last year. Although boasting a decent goal scoring record, in his 25 goals for United, he has only ever scored once goal in a match United have lost in.
Minutes per goal- 165.
Minutes played- 1,320.
Goals- 8.
Assists-5.
Longest without scoring- 3 matches.
1. Tony Andreu- Hamilton
Without doubt, Hamilton have been the surprise packages this season, many expecting them to be an easy three points, however, the Accies have lost only four matches and find themselves in fourth place. Much of this is due to the partnership that Antoine-Curier and attacking midfielder Tony Andreu have created. The clinical attacker has played only 1,175 minutes this season yet been involved in 14 or Hamilton's 30 goals this season.
Minutes per goal- 118.
Minutes played- 1,175
Goals- 11.
Assists-3.
Longest without scoring- 1 match.
Joseph James