Do these stats lay bare Celtic’s major shortcoming or confirm their elite level?

Celtic vs Astana
Celtic vs Astana

Celtic are still invincible domestically despite losing 2 games already this term, but the Scottish giants are not without their flaws.

Recent findings from statistics website Transfermarkt have shown that the Hoops are in top 3 on the global table for most matches played in the ongoing 2017/18 campaign.

20-year-old left-back sensation Kieran Tierney has made more appearances than any other player in the world this season having featured in 46 games, while the duo of James Forest and Craig Gordon complete the top 3 having both made 45 appearances apiece.

Chelsea’s winger Willian and Manchester United’s forward Marcus Rashford complete the top 5 with 44 and 43 games respectively.

With those number of games under the belts of 2 of their outfield players, are Celtic’s lack of quality squad depth being laid bare?

Tierney has missed just 2 league games this term, playing a total of 45 games for Celtic. The in-demand fullback has also featured in all 5 of the Scotland’s games since last summer.

No player in the world has played more than his 4,057 minutes, and it only goes to show how important he’s to manager Brendan Rodgers and his national team.

Celtic’s campaign started last July with the 2nd round of the Champions League qualification, before a full group stage campaign, a successful defence of their League Cup title, a Scottish Cup tie and 26 rounds of Premiership fixtures.

With Celtic’s continental campaign resuming with the Europa League tie against Zenit next week, before international friendlies against Costa Rica and Hungary in March, the season is just getting started for Tierney.