Tav pen- the truth behind the SPFL penalty statistics
There are lies, damned lies and statistics. Former Aberdeen boss Ebbe Skovdahl also had an interesting take on those numbers.
Last night penalties were again in the spotlight in the SPFL, fans of 11 clubs weren’t surprised with the familiar news of Tav (pen) flashing across screens. Just like the December trip to Easter Road a penalty was awarded to break the deadlock, in that instance Kemar Roofe scored to secure three points late in the match.
This season the top two teams in the Premiership have been awarded 10 penalties with a 6-4 split in favour of the club in second place. On the surface it is no big deal but a little dig into the circumstances reveals a very different picture.
Celtic have been awarded 4 League PKs this season: 3 when they led and 1 when level. They were on 10 pts when awarded & ended w/10.
Rangers have been awarded 6: 3 when trailing & 3 when level. They were on 3 pts when awarded & ended w/16.
Surely coincidental. pic.twitter.com/wdoQmlbIBY
— GrandOLTeam (@JBLuvsCeltic) February 10, 2022
After 25 rounds of Premiership fixtures Bobby Madden has refereed six Celtic games, Nick Walsh has been in charge of five matches involving the Ibrox club. Fifteen other referees have handled Premiership matches.