During his time at Celtic, Scott Brown faced some of the best players in the world in European matches under the lights of Paradise. Even though Lionel Messi made a few appearances during Brown’s successful tenure as the club captain, he wasn’t the standout player in Brown’s eyes.
According to Brown, the title of the best player he ever faced goes to Andres Iniesta. Whenever Celtic clashed with Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, Iniesta’s presence on the pitch always posed a challenge that Brown found hard to overcome.
In an interview with the Daily Record Hotline Live, Brown shared his thoughts on playing against Iniesta, especially when the Spaniard had the likes of Sergio Busquets and Xavi by his side. Brown admitted that he struggled to anticipate Iniesta’s moves and was always caught off guard by his quick and forward-thinking style of play.
Describing his experience facing Iniesta, Brown said, “Every time he got the ball, he just sprinted at you. His first touch was going forward. Usually lads are wanting to manipulate the ball, but he would just come straight after you. I was like, oh, he’s tiny, I’m going to munch him, but he was just so sharp and elegant on the ball.”
Reflecting on the overall strength of the Barcelona team during that period, Brown acknowledged the exceptional talent of players like Busquets, Xavi, Suarez, and Messi. However, in Brown’s opinion, Iniesta stood out as the player who consistently made a significant impact on the game with his ability to control the flow of play alongside his teammates.
While Messi certainly had his moments of brilliance that set him apart from others, Brown emphasized that Iniesta’s contribution to the team’s success was unmatched. With players like Iniesta, Busquets, and Xavi in the lineup, Barcelona presented a formidable challenge for Celtic and other opponents in the Champions League.
As Brown reminisced about his encounters with top-tier players like Iniesta, he also expressed his confidence in his own abilities to transition into a managerial role in the Premiership. Additionally, Brown shared his hopes for Kieran Tierney’s successful return to Arsenal and winning the English Premier League, highlighting the support and encouragement he offers to his fellow players in their career endeavors.
In conclusion, Scott Brown’s reflections on facing standout players like Andres Iniesta shed light on the competitive spirit and challenges he encountered during his time at Celtic. While Messi may be a football legend in his own right, for Brown, it was Iniesta’s dynamic style and influence on the game that left a lasting impression on him.
