The Scottish Premiership is one of the most direct leagues in Europe. That can be of little to surprise to any supporter who tunes into the league on a weekly basis – or did so before the league shutdown and was terminated.

It is an perception cemented by players who arrive into the country and are asked about the differences between Scottish football and the league where they moved from.

The answer often includes having to head the ball more, the ball being in the air a lot, little time on the ball etc.

The Scottish Premiership is, unsurprisingly, one of the most direct leagues in Europe. Picture: SNS

It is more than a perception, it is the truth. It is part of the culture of Scottish football and it has been ingrained for many, many years.

Fans have a love-hate relationship with direct football. It seems some can’t, simultaneously, live with it and without it.

How often do you find yourself at a match and near someone bemoaning the ball being chucked in the air or it resembling a hot potato? The same complainant will then be heard agonising over his team’s decision to pass the ball about in a more calming fashion. ‘Get it forrirt!’ will be the shout as a vein protrudes from the side of the person’s head, as if trying to escape having to listen to the thought process one more time.

Let’s face it, the harum scarum approach in games is an identity of the game in Scotland. Frenetic, competitive and sometimes aggressive games are expected. It is all part of the fun and enjoyment, even if it can lead to quite frankly awful matches.

Time on the ball

One football statistician, Andy Forrester, discovered that midfielders in the Scottish Premiership have the least amount of time on the ball compared to a number of leagues in Europe.

At just 1.78 seconds per individual possession, those in the top-flight have the ball for less time than their peers in the likes of Serie A, the Bundesliga and Eredivisie. That in itself is not surprising, but it also less time than midfielders in both the English Championship and League Two.

In addition, 13 per cent of the balls midfielders in Scotland play are with their head. Five per cent higher than those in the Premier League and six per cent higher than in the French and Italian top-flights.

It becomes less surprising when you compare passing stats with the other 19 leagues around Europe which make up the top 20 of Uefa’s country coefficients.

At an average of 346.75 passes per 90 minutes, the 2019/20 Scottish Premiership recorded the third lowest average with only the top flight clubs in Greece and the Gzech Republic passing the ball less frequently during matches.

Germany top the charts with an average of 416.47 passes per 90 minutes.

Celtic, Rangers, Hearts and Hibs were the most frequent passers of the ball.

When it comes to long passes, Scotland are second for the highest number per 90 minutes. The 52.12 average is only bettered by the Czech Republic with 52.82.

On the flip side is Turkey with fewer than 40 per match. Italy, France and Greece average fewer than 41 with the English Premier League recording a tally of 43.8.

Regarding long passes, St Mirren, Livingston and Kilmarnock were the most direct.

Scottish Premiership forwards play the ball with their head just under 20 per cent of the time and 53 per cent of the time if they get the ball played to them they have it for just one touch.

A lot of this won’t surprise readers, simply a confirmation of views held by many, but it isn’t something which should be sneered at.

It is not a slight on Scottish football. As stated previously, it is part of the culture of our game, an identity. One we should not be embarrassed or hide from.

Why the Scottish Premiership is one of the most direct leagues in Europe - it is part our culture and identity