CELTIC have one of the worst penalty records in the Scottish Premiership so far this season.
Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops have struggled from the spot this campaign and missed another TWO against Ross County after Luis Palma was denied twice by George Wickens at Parkhead.
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The Honduran international, 24, had the chance to extend Celtic’s lead in the first half after Callum McGregor was fouled by Simon Murray in the Ross County box.
Wickens saved Palma’s effort but it was forced to be retaken following a VAR check.
The on loan Fulham goalkeeper then kept the Hoops out again with the winger’s next strike and the home side were denied their second.
It now means the summer signing has now missed three from the spot this season following his missed chance against Motherwell in November.
He has been Rodgers’ preferred penalty taker this season, with six taken in total compared to David Turnbull’s four and Reo Hatate‘s two.
Palma has netted twice in the Premiership and scored against Feyenoord in the Champions League.
He has a 50 per cent record in a Hoops shirt from 12 yards, while Turnbull takes top spot with 75 per cent, having scored three out of four.
Hatate joins Palma with 50 per cent after netting against Livingston in September and his miss against Hearts in October.
Celtic‘s rivals Rangers have a far better record from the spot this season as they’ve scored from 77.8 per cent of the fouls in the box that they’ve been awarded.
James Tavernier has been the sole taker for the Gers in the Premiership and has scored seven out of nine – missing just two against Hearts in October and Livingston in November.
It makes the Light Blues the best penalty takers in the league so far this season, with David Martindale’s Livingston following closely behind on 71.4 per cent from seven opportunities.
It’s not just Celtic who have struggled from 12 yards this season though.
Scottish Premiership penalty stats
- Rangers: Seven scored, two missed – 77.8 per cent
- Livingston: Five scored, two missed – 71.4 per cent
- St Mirren: Four scored, two missed – 66.7 per cent
- Motherwell: Two scored, one missed – 66.7 per cent
- Aberdeen: Two scored, one missed – 66.7 per cent
- Kilmarnock: Two scored, one missed – 66.7 per cent
- Celtic: Six scored, five missed – 53.85 per cent
- Hibs: One scored, one missed – 50 per cent
- Dundee: One scored, one missed – 50 per cent
- Hearts: One scored, three missed – 25 per cent
- Ross County: Zero scored, zero missed – 0 per cent
- St Johnstone: One scored, one missed – 0 per cent
Hearts finally ended their long wait for a penalty goal when Jorge Grant scored to give the Jambos the lead over Aberdeen in their 2-0 win.
It now leaves them on a 25 per cent conversion rate after Lawrence Shankland was denied three times against Dundee, Livingston and Hibs.
St Johnstone missed their only penalty against St Mirren in December.
Ross County are the only team not to have been awarded a spot-kick in the Premiership this season.
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