Celtic star Jota is not immune to an excellent quote or two; and now he’s said that Ange Postecoglou’s style reminds him of vintage Barcelona.
Pep Guardiola’s Barca side were imperious. Revolutionising possession football, they set a template for winning teams across the world.
Their “tiki-taka” style helped to lay foundations not just for incredible success in Catalonia. The Spain sides that won the World Cup and European Championship twice were indebted to Guardiola’s philosophy.
Under Guardiola, Barcelona won two Champions Leagues, three La Liga titles, two Club World Cups, two Copa del Reys and three Spanish Super Cups.
And in a comparison that will make Celtic fans hopeful for the future, Jota believes Ange’s mindset isn’t too dissimilar to Pep’s.
Speaking on the Celtic View Podcast about working for Ange Postecoglou, Jota said [Celtic TV]:
“It’s been great. Ange has really good ideas. His philosophy of the game is something that I’ve been looking for all these years.
“I remember when I was younger, seeing the Barca tiki-taka. Our style of play is really similar. And we just want to keep the ball, create the space, see the opportunities come and just finishing. I think we are doing it quite well.
“Everyone knows what to do inside the pitch, and I think we are getting to know each other better and better every day.”
Lofty comparisons from Celtic star Jota, but if we remind him of Barcelona under Guardiola, don’t tell him otherwise
The first question here: how would Guardiola’s Barcelona have done against Livingston on that pitch at the Tony Macaroni? Aye, exactly. Worse than us, probably.
In all seriousness, Jota must be feeling amazing at Celtic if he’s willing to compare us to one of the all-time great club sides. Obviously, we’re nowhere near that level, and nobody is suggesting for a minute we are.
But if the football evokes an Iberian talent to consider the legacy of Pep’s Barca then is that a bad thing? Of course it isn’t.
In a very decent interview, Jota explained the volume of his hair, and tried Irn Bru [Celtic TV]. All important topics, no question. But his response to being asked about playing for Ange is the most vital thing here.
This is a guy who no doubt believes in the Celtic manager. It might take time, and we don’t have Pique, Busquets and Messi, but what the Bhoys can achieve in their own way could be special, provided Postecoglou is backed sufficiently.
Celtic fans wanted a style of football that harked back to our own classic sides. Attacking, relentless intensity and plenty of goals to celebrate. In general, that’s what we’re getting.
Players like Jota make that possible for Celtic. Whether we’ll win two Champions Leagues is up for debate, but if Jota is saying he’s reminded of a classic team, then so be it.
Read more: Ange Postecoglou ally leaves Yokohama Marinos as Celtic look to strengthen backroom staff
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