PODCAST · sports
The Huddle Breakdown
by The Huddle Breakdown
The Huddle Breakdown is a podcast focusing on all things Celtic FC. This is not your regular fan-run podcast though, we combine analysis with statistics to provide a proper deep-dive into the performances of the team. If stats and xG aren't your thing, don't let that scare you off. This podcast is a mix of opinion, craic and some questionable takeaways as well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
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Ben Lyttleton: Martin O’Neill, Moneyball & Why Celtic Need a Sporting Director | The Huddle Breakdown Interview
Football author and executive Ben Lyttleton (Twelve Yards, Edge, Football School) joins Alan and James on The Huddle Breakdown Interview to talk about how data analytics is changing football and what that means for Celtic. Ben goes behind the scenes of the Netherlands’ penalty data before the…
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Is Shaun Maloney Really Running Celtic Now? | Motherwell Breakdown & Benfica Preview
Celtic produced their most dominant performance in weeks at Fir Park, and Alan and James break down the data from the Motherwell win. After Liam Scales talked about the player meetings, has Celtic’s game model shifted back towards Ange-ball? Is Shaun Maloney now effectively running the team under...
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Celtic's £300m Left on the Table, Scotland Déjà Vu & Motherwell Preview
Is the Celtic board as successful as it claims? On this week’s Huddle Breakdown Extra Time, James benchmarks Celtic FC against Club Brugge, Sporting CP and PSV Eindhoven on revenue, matchday income, wages, player amortisation and player trading. His conclusion is that weak player trading and…
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Tennis Ball Gate, the Celtic Statement & Why the League Table Lies | The Huddle Breakdown
James and Alan break down Tennis Ball Gate at St Andrews and the club's furious Saturday night statement. They ask whether the growing split between the Celtic board, Dermot Desmond and the support can be repaired, or whether escalation and personal targeting will only deepen it. The pair look at...
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Man City, Rangers 2012 & Celtic's Coherence Crisis | Subscriber Q&A
Is the Manchester City case Scottish football's Rangers 2012 all over again? In this Huddle Breakdown Extra Time, host Martin Murphy is joined by Alan and James to compare the Premier League's handling of Man City with the Lord Nimmo Smith Commission into Rangers. They also ask why the clubs' own...
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Man City, Rangers & the Story Scottish Media Won't Touch | Celtic's Identity Crisis
As the Premier League's Man City case dominates headlines worldwide, Alan and James ask why the Scottish football media has stayed almost completely silent, and what the parallels with Rangers' 2012 liquidation, the EBT scandal and the obstruction of investigators reveal about football…
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Celtic's Systemic Collapse, a £4.8m Loss & the "Least Bad Option"
Alan is back(!) from Japan and straight into the wreckage of Celtic's three straight defeats, capped by a 1-0 derby loss to Rangers at Celtic Park. With James and Martin, he argues it was a systemic collapse, not a question of individual effort, and backs it with the numbers: Rangers won the ball...
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Celtic 0-1 Rangers: The Worst Home Derby in a Decade (The Data Explained)
Celtic's 1-0 defeat to Rangers at Parkhead was, by the numbers, the worst home Old Firm performance of the Wyscout era: an xG difference of -1.91, just three shots to Rangers' 14, and a long-ball rate roughly triple Celtic's historical norm. James is joined again by Rhiann (DataBhoys) to rewatch...
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Celtic Are Broken | Celtic 1-3 Ferencváros & Derby Preview
Celtic’s 3-1 home defeat to Ferencváros capped a miserable week, and on this episode of The Huddle Breakdown Extra Time, Martin Murphy is joined by James and Heath to work out how much of it can possibly be fixed before Sunday’s Glasgow Derby. The panel goes deep into the tactical wreckage: a…
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Rangers 3-0 Celtic: Why Celtic's Game Model Is BROKEN | Tactical Breakdown + Ferencváros Preview
Celtic were humbled 3-0 by Rangers at Ibrox, and The Huddle Breakdown goes beyond the hot takes to explain why. With Alan away in Tokyo, James is joined by data analyst Rhian (RhiCam on Substack, @databhoys on X) for a tactical and data-driven breakdown of the Old Firm derby. They cover Derek...
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Can Celtic's Defense Survive Ibrox? | First Derby of the Season Preview + St Johnstone Reaction
Martin, James, and returning guest Heath break down Celtic's 1-0 win away at St Johnstone — a game that delivered three points but raised plenty of questions, from a flat first half and an experimental 3-2-5 to Mika Bauer's match-winner and Sam Johnstone's debut in goal. James shares striking...
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Celtic & The League's Tactical Revolution | Scottish Football Has Gone BOX OFFICE
James is joined by special guest co-host Quinny (filling in for Alan, currently sampling sushi in Japan) to break down Celtic's 2-1 win away at St Mirren and what it tells us about this evolving Celtic side. They dig into Hassan's "gravitational pull" on the wing and whether his end product will...
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Celtic's New Signings RATED: Van den Berg Hype, Johnstone Doubts & a Top of Table Clash at St Mirren
With Alan away in the Far East, Martin and James welcome Celtic analytics community scout Heath Tempe to break down a huge week for Celtic FC. The panel reviews the win over Aberdeen — Yang's electric man-of-the-match display, Duran's ridiculous finishing form, and why Hassan's crossing is…
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Celtic's New Winger Just Broke a 12-Year Record — And It Might Not Matter
Celtic's win over Falkirk produced a completely standard-looking stat pack — plus-two in xG, a +300 packing score, more than double the box possessions, six saves to one — but James and Alan argue that almost nothing about the inputs behind that familiar output was normal. This week on The Huddle...
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Celtic's LASK Collapse: Systemic Failure, Not Bad Luck | Extra Time
Celtic threw away a four-goal aggregate lead in Austria and crashed out of the Champions League to LASK — and on this week's Extra Time, Martin, Alan and James argue that luck had nothing to do with it. Alan makes the case that this is a pattern of boardroom incompetence stretching back years…
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Celtic vs LASK Second Leg: How Celtic Kill the Tie in Linz | Champions League Play-Off Preview
Celtic take a 3-0 lead to Linz — but how do they actually kill this tie? On this week's Huddle Breakdown, Alan and James break down the Champions League play-off second leg against LASK at the Raiffeisen Arena. Using average position charts, duel data and pressing heights from the first leg, they...
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Celtic 3-0 LASK: Three Worldies and One Big Warning | Huddle Breakdown Extra Time
Celtic beat LASK 3-0 at Celtic Park to take a commanding lead into the Champions League play-off second leg in Linz — but what does the data actually say? On this Huddle Breakdown Extra Time, Martin, Alan and James dig into a 3-0 win built on three world-class finishes from just 0.89 xG, a lost...
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Dundee United 0-4 Celtic: The Numbers Behind the Win | LASK Champions League Preview
Celtic hammered Dundee United 4-0 — so why did they lose the xG battle and concede 19 shots? On this episode of The Huddle Breakdown, James and Alan dig into Alan's post-match stat pack and packing score data to explain the contradiction at the heart of Celtic's fast start to the 2026/27 season....
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Celtic vs LASK Scouting Special: An Austrian Expert Tells Us Exactly What We're Facing
Celtic face LASK in the Champions League play-off round, so we brought in Austrian football expert Tom Baumgartner of the Other Bundesliga podcast for a full scouting report — free for everyone this week from our subscriber show, Extra Time. Tom explains how Dietmar "Didi" Kühbauer took over a…
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Mika Baur Benchmarked, Hassan's Data, Austrian Scouting Report & Dundee Utd vs Celtic Preview
James and Alan break down a chaotic week at Celtic on this Extra Time, plus a full scouting report on LASK from Austrian football expert Tom Baumgartner of the Other Bundesliga podcast. With Arne Engels heading to West Ham, Mika Baur arriving from Paderborn and Haissem Hassan already in the...
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Kilmarnock 1-5 Celtic: Record xG, Engels Transformed & The Hassan Question | The Huddle Breakdown
Celtic went to Rugby Park and produced their highest expected-goals difference away at Kilmarnock since records began — a 5-1 win that Alan calls the most enjoyable watch in a long time. In this episode, Alan and James dig into the numbers behind the rout: why Arne Engels dominated the middle of...
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Jota Back On The Ball, Haissem Hassan Decoded & Celtic's Real Midfield Problem
Alan and James join Martin Murphy for a bumper Extra Time as Celtic bank three points against Dundee, Haissem Hassan edges closer, and a training-ground image lands mid-record showing Jota doing ball work. Alan sets the Dundee win against twelve years of expected goals and packing data to argue…
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Celtic vs Dundee REVIEW: Is Our Record Signing Being WASTED? | Flag Day Analysis + LASK CL Draw
Celtic are back in competitive action, and The Huddle Breakdown is here with a full data-driven review of the Flag Day win over Dundee at Celtic Park. Alan and James dig into the match stats and xG to ask the big question: are Celtic's new signings already being misused? We break down Martin...
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Celtic's Transfer Puzzle, Rangers' Staunch Pivot & SPFL 26-27 Preview
In this episode of the Huddle Breakdown Extra Time, James and Alan dive deep into Celtic's transfer window, weighing the massive impact of Alistair Johnston's potential move to Everton and analyzing the tactical fit of new striker Kasper Hogh. The guys also cast a critical eye over the rest of…
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Celtic's Striker Dilemma: Kasper Hogh Scouted, Defensive Doubts & Maeda’s Farewell
Join Laura, James, and Alan on this week's Huddle Breakdown as they dissect Celtic's latest summer transfer business, featuring an in-depth tactical benchmarking of new Bodo/Glimt signing Kasper Hogh and how Camilo Duran fits into the system. The panel raises candid concerns over a sluggish...
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Celtic Transfer Targets Analyzed: Hogh & Hassan + Scottish Euro Disaster
In this episode of Huddle Breakdown Extra Time, Martin, James, and Alan dissect the latest Celtic transfer rumors, focusing on the potential system fit of Bodo/Glimt's Kasper Hogh and Real Oviedo's Haissem Hassan. The panel critically evaluates whether a technical prospect like Mika Bauer…
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The Celtic Transfer Window Awakens & SFA Report Learnings
In this week’s episode of The Huddle Breakdown, Laura returns to join Alan as the Celtic transfer rumor mill finally sparks to life. The duo unpacks a sudden influx of news, analyzing encouraging links to midfield targets like Paderborn's Mika Bauer and winger Haissem Hassan. They also look at...
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Celtic's Transfer Paralysis, AGM Fallout & World Cup Final Preview
In this episode of Extra Time, Martin, James, and Alan dissect the concerning fallout from the latest Celtic FC AGM minutes, exploring the deepening disconnect between the boardroom and the football operation. The panel reacts to Benjamin Siegrist’s highly revealing interview about his exit,...
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Celtic's Preseason Progress: Transfer Data, CCV's Return & World Cup Tactics
In this week’s episode of “The Huddle Breakdown,” we analyze Celtic’s preseason friendly against Sporting and discuss the early stages of Martin O’Neill’s tactical rollout for this season. We evaluate new signing Duran’s energetic debut and look at the historical timeline of Celtic’s summer...
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Celtic Transfer Analysis: How Do Duran, Ox & Iheanacho Fit?
In this episode of Extra Time, the Huddle Breakdown team is joined by special guest Quinny from Scottish Football Daily to dissect a critical turning point in Celtic's season. The guys share their honest reactions to the Shelbourne friendly, questioning the tactical innovations and player...
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Celtic Target Camilo Duran Deep Dive Analysis & The Midfield Crisis Debate | Huddle Breakdown
In this episode of The Huddle Breakdown, James and Alan break down Celtic's potential signing, Colombian forward Camilo Duran from Qarabag. Utilizing advanced data scouting, they examine Duran’s hybrid positional role, left-footed versatility, and transitional pace—questioning whether he serves…
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Ross Grant’s Set Piece Impact, Elijah Just Rumors & Pre-Season Preview
In this episode of The Huddle Breakdown Extra Time, hosts Martin Murphy, James, and Alan dive into the busy summer landscape. The team breaks down what the appointment of new set piece coach and analyst Ross Grant means for Celtic's physical profile, style of play, and tactical future. They…
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Celtic's Set-Piece Analytics, Transfer Models & The Steve Clarke Exit | Huddle Breakdown
In this episode of the Huddle Breakdown, we dissect Celtic's major coaching hire as Ross Grant joins the club as a dedicated set-piece specialist. We dive into the underlying data, analytical xG metrics, and what Grant's tactical history means for the Hoops' defensive structure and attacking...
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Celtic Backroom Drama, Scotland's World Cup Reality Check & The New Hearts Model
In this episode of Huddle Breakdown Extra Time, host Martin Murphy is joined by James and Alan to break down the latest Celtic transfer rumors and boardroom developments amidst a quiet summer window. The team analyzes the potential appointments of Fotheringham and Maloney to Martin O'Neill's...
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Celtic's Preseason Refresh + Hearts' Massive Data Revolution & Scotland's World Cup Blueprint
In this episode of the Huddle Breakdown, the hosts unpack the latest major updates shaping Scottish football, starting with Gavin Strachan's new move to West Bromwich Albion and what the upcoming backroom refresh could mean for Celtic's preseason momentum. They dive deep into the exciting...
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Are Celtic Falling Behind? McInnes at Rangers Deep Dive
In this episode of The Huddle Breakdown Extra Time, Martin Murphy, James, and Alan dive into the newly released SPFL fixtures, detailing the controversy surrounding Celtic's Monday night flag unfurling and what a grueling December stretch means for the upcoming season. The team breaks down the...
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The Death of Modern Football? Rangers & Celtic Reject Analytics | Where Does That Leave Hearts?
In this episode of the Huddle Breakdown, the guys dive headfirst into a summer of absolute paralysis and strategic shifts across Scottish football. We break down the massive management shakeup as Derek McInnes looks set to take the wheel at Rangers following Danny Röhl’s sudden…
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Celtic Penny-Pinching & The World Cup Law Changes
In this episode of The Huddle Breakdown Extra Time, host Martin Murphy, James, and Alan dive into the controversial "white smoke" at Paradise following Martin O'Neill's return as manager. The team pulls no punches regarding the Celtic board’s rumored "nickel-and-diming" over backroom staff...
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Martin O'Neill Back In At Celtic & Scotland's World Cup Hype
In this episode of The Huddle Breakdown, the guys analyze the latest reports indicating a done deal for Martin O'Neill as Celtic's next permanent manager. They dive into the tactical fallout of his appointment, exploring how a pivot toward size and power will clash with the current squad...
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Celtic Rebuild Blueprint: Squad Age Profile, Expected Exits & The Board Finance Disaster
In this episode of The Huddle Breakdown Extra Time, Martin, Alan, and James dive into a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of the Celtic FC squad ahead of a massive summer transfer window. The team breaks down the roster by age profile, contract length, and depth chart, detailing 13 potential...
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Martin O’Neill, Robbie Keane, or Chaos? Inside Celtic’s Manager Search
In this post-season edition of The Huddle Breakdown, the guys dive deep into the data behind Celtic FC's recent double-winning season to expose a worrying seven-year downward trend in underlying performance. They highlight the growing tactical volatility and lack of squad resilience resulting…
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Celtic’s Boardroom Battle: Paul McStay on Giving Fans a Voice & European Ambition
In this interview special, we sit down with Celtic legend Paul McStay to discuss his crucial role as the new ambassador for the Season Ticket Alliance. Following a season marred by off-the-pitch frustrations, protests, and a fractured relationship between the board and the fanbase, Paul explains...
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Celtic Transfer Rebuild: Shaun Maloney, FSR Rules & The Looming Logjam
In this episode of The Huddle Breakdown Extra Time, Martin is joined by James and Alan to bask in the warm glow of Celtic’s incredible double-winning season before transitioning into cold-hearted, objective data analysis. The team unpacks the final underlying data—diving deep into xG…
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The Truth About Celtic’s "Rigged" Title Win (KMI Data Revealed) | Dunfermline Cup Final Review
In this edition of The Huddle Breakdown, hosts James and Alan Morrison recap Celtic's season-capping Scottish Cup victory over Dunfermline before diving headfirst into the chaotic "Twitter wars" surrounding the title win. Alan breaks down exclusive data from the SFA's Key Match Incident (KMI)…
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SFA Releases VAR Audio: Hearts Controversy Explained & Celtic Cup Final Preview
In this episode of The Huddle Breakdown Extra Time, hosts Martin Murphy, James, and Alan break down the Scottish FA's newly released statement and VAR audio regarding the conclusion of the Celtic vs. Hearts match. The team examines the timeline of events, the refereeing decisions made by Don...
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Celtic Win The Wildest Title Race Ever! | Celtic vs Hearts Tactical Breakdown & Post-Match Chaos
In this episode of The Huddle Breakdown, hosts Laura Bradburn, James, and Alan dissect Celtic’s historic and thrilling victory to claim the Scottish league title after a chaotic, high-stakes final stretch of the season. The team breaks down the match dynamics against Derek McInnes' Hearts,...
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Celtic's Great Escape: The Handball Fallout & The Title Decider
In this "Extra Time" edition of The Huddle Breakdown, Martin, James, and Alan dissect Celtic's heart-pounding last-gasp victory over Motherwell and look ahead to the high-stakes title decider against Hearts. The team dives deep into the controversial handball penalty that has the Scottish media…
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Celtic 3-1 Rangers: Maeda's Masterclass & The Final Title Charge
In this episode of The Huddle Breakdown, Laura Bradburn, James, and Alan dissect a pivotal 3-1 victory over Rangers that has firmly placed the title within Celtic's reach. The crew analyzes the tactical surprises of the match, from the unexpected selection of McCowan to the eventual collapse of…
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The Variance Monster: Glasgow Derby Preview & The Nygren Defense
In this Extra Time, host Martin Murphy is joined by James and Alan to analyze the high-stakes landscape of Scottish football as the season reaches its boiling point. The team dives deep into recent transfer rumors, including links to Mark Leonard, while providing a data-driven defense of Celtic’s...
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Hearts Edge Rangers: Is the Scottish Title Race Reaching Peak Chaos?
In this high-stakes episode of The Huddle Breakdown, Laura Bradburn returns to join James and Alan for a deep dive into a pulse-pounding weekend of Scottish football. The crew analyzes Celtic’s gritty victory over Hibs, highlighting Alistair Johnston’s vital return and the "variance monster" that...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Huddle Breakdown is a podcast focusing on all things Celtic FC. This is not your regular fan-run podcast though, we combine analysis with statistics to provide a proper deep-dive into the performances of the team. If stats and xG aren't your thing, don't let that scare you off. This podcast is a mix of opinion, craic and some questionable takeaways as well.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
HOSTED BY
The Huddle Breakdown
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Huddle Breakdown have?
The Huddle Breakdown currently has 433 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Huddle Breakdown about?
The Huddle Breakdown is a podcast focusing on all things Celtic FC. This is not your regular fan-run podcast though, we combine analysis with statistics to provide a proper deep-dive into the performances of the team. If stats and xG aren't your thing, don't let that scare you off. This podcast is...
How often does The Huddle Breakdown release new episodes?
The Huddle Breakdown publishes regularly with 433 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Huddle Breakdown?
You can listen to The Huddle Breakdown on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Huddle Breakdown?
The Huddle Breakdown is created and hosted by The Huddle Breakdown.
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