Opinion: Early goal could be key for Celtic in top of the table clash

Tonight’s game between Celtic and Rangers could be a close encounter. Both sides know what is at stake in the match, as a win for the Hoops would see Ange Postecoglou’s side go top of the league, whilst a win for the Ibrox men would see Rangers go five points clear in the Premiership title race.

With what is on the line, Celtic will want to get off to a good start, to get the crowd behind them. The last thing the Hoops will want is to get off to a poor start and allow Rangers to control the game, that could get the crowd anxious and on the team’s back.

The best thing that could happen is for the Hoops to score an early goal. That could set the tone for the game. It would give the Bhoys plenty of confidence, and put a marker down for the rest of the match.

Turboscores.Com has an interesting statistic about the time of the first goal scored by the Hoops in games this season. The average time of the first goal scored is 34 minutes at home, and 20 minutes away.

If we look at Celtic’s recent games, the Hoops have opened the scoring in the first 10 minutes in two of the last four league fixtures. Liel Abada scored after nine minutes against St Johnstone, and Daizen Maeda scored after four minutes against Hibernian.

It would be most welcome for the Hoops if they managed to repeat the feat of scoring in the first 10 minutes of the Glasgow derby. That has worked out well for the Hoops in the past.

One only has to look back at the legendary 6-2 win over Rangers back in August 2000. Chris Sutton opened the scoring after just one minute, and the Bhoys went on to secure one of the most memorable derby wins in the club’s history.

If Celtic score early tonight there is no guarantee that the Hoops will win the game. But it will give the