BRENDAN RODGERS HAS certainly had quite the effect on Celtic since taking over as the clubโs manager in the summer of 2016.
The side were crowned treble winners in his first campaign in charge, the side making it through the entire Scottish season unbeaten.
But itโs not just the results where the former Liverpool boss has made a substantial difference.
In terms of playing style, Celtic now prefer a possession-based approach and are patient and controlled, preferring to build up an attack from deep. Thereโs a reluctance to go direct while the side also follows Rodgersโ advocacy of โdefending with the ballโ.
And now, according to the latest figures from the CIES Football Observatory, Celticโs ability to keep the ball is better than any other team in Europe.
Based on figures theyโve studied since the start of the season, Celtic have the highest ball possession percentage at 70.8%. Thatโs better than Borussia Dortmund, their Champions League group-stage opponents Paris Saint-Germain and the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona.
CIES also found that Celtic came out on top in terms of average seconds per possession.
Fittingly, the club are shortlisted for Fifaโs Puskas Award โ presented to the player who scored the best goal of the year.
And nothing gives a better insight into Rodgersโ work at Celtic and the clubโs on-field approach than Moussa Dembeleโs magnificent strike against St. Johnstone.
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Would love to be back in Ireland Tuesday night