Celtic have taken plenty of criticism this season, especially for their poor European performances. But the latest FotMob statistics tell a very different story about their domestic form.

Sunday’s 7-1 hammering of Hearts was Celtic’s biggest Premiership win of the campaign, and the figures show just how far ahead of their rivals Martin O’Neill’s side have been in several key areas.

Is a front three of Osmand, Duran and Hassan Celtic's strongest attacking line-up now? If not, who comes in instead?

Yang, Jota and others are all in contention too…

Celtic’s incredible attacking statistics put Premiership rivals to shame

According to FotMob’s Scottish Premiership statistics, Celtic have created a staggering 48 big chances in their opening nine league matches.

Rangers are second with just 26, while Hearts have managed 25. Celtic have created almost twice as many clear-cut opportunities as either side.

Celtic had already created 41 big chances before Sunday’s 7-1 win over Hearts, so their attacking dominance was well established before that result.

The expected goals figures show Celtic leading the Premiership with an xG of 26.2, compared to Rangers’ 19.6 and Hearts’ 17.8.

Celtic also average 9.2 shots on target per match, comfortably ahead of Rangers on 6.6. Their average possession of 60.2% is another league high.

With 23 goals scored and only five conceded, Celtic also have the best attacking and defensive records in the division.

Celtic statistics expose flaws in negative media narrative

Michael Stewart recently challenged the negative media narrative surrounding Celtic, and these statistics help explain why.

Celtic’s European performances deserve criticism. Their finishing in the Premiership hasn’t always been convincing either, with the Hoops missing more big chances than any other side in the division.

But anyone claiming Celtic are struggling to create opportunities should have a look at the FotMob figures.

O’Neill’s side have been getting into dangerous positions regularly, even when their finishing has let them down. The chances have been there, and Sunday’s demolition of Hearts showed what can happen when Celtic start putting more of them away.

There’s still plenty of room for improvement, particularly when Celtic face stronger opposition in Europe. Their domestic attacking figures, though, deserve far more recognition than they’ve received.

Celtic have created 22 more big chances than Rangers after nine Premiership matches. That’s an enormous gap and one that makes some of the criticism of their domestic performances look well wide of the mark.