Celtic's Attacking Crisis: By the Numbers

• 5 goalless games in 12 matches this season - worst start since 1991-92
• 63% drop in goals scored compared to same period last season (17 vs 38)
• 6th in Premiership scoring behind Hearts, Motherwell, and even Livingston
• xG collapse: 0.19 against Rangers, 0.64 vs Braga (down from 1.37 vs Bayern Munich last season)

The Great Departures: Who's Missing?

Key losses since 2023:

• Kyogo Furuhashi: 85 goals + 20 assists
• Jota: 15G/12A in final season
• Matt O'Riley: 27G/30A
• Combined 227 goals + 120 assists lost from departed attackers

Tactical Breakdown: Where's the Spark?

Current attacking lineup issues:

• Daizen Maeda: Shadow of former self after failed transfer
• Nicolas Kuhn: Only 2 goals since £4.5m January move
• James Forrest: 34-year-old winger starting crucial European matches

New signings failing to impress:

• Michel-Ange Balikwisha (€8m from Standard Liège): 0 starts in Europe
• Shin Yamada: Excluded from Europa League squad
• Arne Engels (£11m): Only 4 starts under Rodgers

Rodgers' Rebuild: Path to Redemption

Potential solutions emerging:

1. Kelechi Iheanacho: Showed promise before controversial VAR call vs Braga
2. Sebastian Tounekti: Direct replacement for Jota on left flank
3. Alistair Johnston's return: Key attacking fullback (2G/2A last season) due back post-international break

Critical Motherwell test:

• Well have conceded 12 goals in 6 games - prime opportunity for Celtic
• Rodgers must choose between:
  • Sticking with 4-2-3-1
  • Switching to 3-4-3 for width
  • Starting Iheanacho-Tounekti-Nygren trident

European Perspective

• First Celtic side since 2003 to fail in three consecutive UCL qualifying campaigns
• Europa League group stage crucial for:
  • Financial stability
  • Attracting January recruits
  • Restoring club reputation

"When you lose that fear factor in attack, everything becomes harder. Rodgers needs to find his new difference-makers - fast." - BBC Scotland analyst Tom English