Dunfermline Athletic

Against Celtic, the comparison was straightforward: Dunfermline's numbers described a competent side within their own peer group, while Celtic operated at the level of champions. Dunfermline's attack was respectable and their defensive record solid, but neither area suggested they could sustain pressure on a side with Celtic's depth and control. The Scottish Cup final result, a 3-1 Celtic win, was a fair reflection of the gap: Dunfermline had enough structure to stay competitive for spells, but not enough quality at either end to tilt the balance.

The radar data painted Dunfermline as more effective in the broad phases of the game than in any specialist area. Their main strength was balance: second-tier output for both scoring and defending gave them a platform better than Queen's Park, Raith Rovers and Ross County. The more surprising edge came away from home, where they were slightly more productive in attack than at East End Park. The weakness was the absence of a standout trait. St Johnstone were clearly sharper at both ends, while Dunfermline's home scoring lagged behind what a genuine top-side profile would usually demand.

Using 42 players across a season that yielded 46 league goals points to a team with heavy churn rather than a settled core. Yet there was still a spine to it: Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen led the side for starts, and Andrew Tod provided the clearest focal point in front of goal. The broader picture is of a squad rotated often, whether by necessity or design, but still leaning on a few regulars to provide structure and end product.