SPECIALIST statistics have revealed the most effective dribblers in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Extensive football stats company StatsBomb have compiled a complete list of the top 'dribblers and carriers' of the ball in Scotland's top flight.

And some of the results might come as a surprise. But first, what is OBV? 

The 'On-Ball Value' model is a possession value model that objectively and quantitatively measures the value of each event on the pitch.

In short, it’s a model that looks to assign a value to each action that takes place on the football pitch based on the positive (or negative) impact the action has on the team’s likelihood of scoring (and conceding).

Top of the pile is Aberdeen striker Luis 'Duk' Lopes who has a 'Dribble & Carry OBV' of 0.32 per 90 minutes in the Scottish Premiership.

Rangers winger Ryan Kent comes in a close second to the Pittodrie forward with a value of 0.29 for his dribbles and carries of the ball this term.

Rounding out the podium spots is Celtic fan favourite Jota who lags behind slightly but still boasts an impressive 0.20 on-ball value for his dribbles.

Hearts winger Barrie McKay (0.18) comes in just behind the top three with Malik Tillman and James Tavernier tied with Dundee United duo Craig Sibbald and Aziz Behich for fifth spot with 0.15 OBV.

Hibs' Martin Boyle also makes the list as well as Livingston frontman Joel Nouble with Owura Edwards the only Ross County representative on the list with a 0.12 score.

Both Celtic and Rangers have five players each on the list in theory making them the best dribbling and carries clubs in the league.

Aberdeen have three representatives, with Dundee United and Hibs both boasting duos making the top 20 cut.

It should be noted that the list only comprises of players who have played 600 minutes of football or more and only includes performances in the Scottish Premiership.

Scottish Premiership Dribble & Carry OBV top 20

1. Luis Lopes (Aberdeen) 0.32

2. Ryan Kent (Rangers) 0.29

3. Jota (Celtic) 0.20

4. Barrie McKay (Hearts) 0.18

5. Malik Tillman (Rangers) 0.15

6. Craig Sibbald (Dundee United) 0.15

7. James Tavernier (Rangers) 0.15

8. Aziz Behich (Dundee United) 0.15

9. Martin Boyle (Hibs) 0.14

10. Moritz Jenz (Celtic) 0.14

11. Joel Nouble (Livingston) 0.13

12. Connor Goldson (Rangers) 0.13

13. Owura Edwards (Ross County) 0.12

14. Ryan Porteous (Hibs) 0.12

15. Callum McGregor (Celtic) 0.12

16. Jayden Richardson (Aberdeen) 0.12

17. Josip Juranovic (Celtic) 0.11

18. Liel Abada (Celtic) 0.11

19. James Sands (Rangers) 0.11

20. Bojan Miovski (Aberdeen) 0.11

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