Celtic’s McGuiness likens Deila’s style to Simeone

Having joined Celtic on a temporary basis in 2012, former Donegal manager Jim McGuiness is now studying for his UEFA ‘B’ Licence coaching badge.

Since his departure from the Gaelic football side, McGuiness has taken on a bigger role within the club and is now working with the first-team since Ronny Deila took over.

McGuiness linked up with the Scottish Premier League champions when Neil Lennon was in charge to work as a performance consultant with the youth teams.

But a growing role within the club has opened his eyes to the potential of becoming a coach to help both himself and the Hoops.

Last night in an interview on Off the Ball on Newstalk, the 42-year-old admitted it would be a waste to see such a god opportunity slip past him.

I’m so close to the action here at Celtic so I should be studying that closer than anything because I’m in a position to question it: ‘Why do we do this or that?’ and I’ll always get an answer.

As an avid fan of both Gaelic and football, the Irishman drew comparisons between the two sports. He also drew a comparison with Deila’s style of play and that of a very highly rated manager in Diego Simeone.

(Diego) Simeone (Atletico Madrid manager) and our own manager, Ronnie, like to press up, maybe like Dublin, and making it difficult for the opposition to play through the middle.

I like that style and the manager (Deila) has that style of high intensity. In Donegal we built our platform on a defensive platform and using that to attack.

Having supported the club all his life, McGuiness knows he is in a position many can only dream of.

I consider myself to be in a privileged position. I’m working with one of the biggest clubs in the world and the club I’ve supported all my life.