It’s difficult to judge what Celtic’s new coaching acquisition Harry Kewell will offer to Celtic at this early stage. As a player Kewell was an extremely talented performer who perhaps didn’t quite fulfil his potential entirely – due to being unfortunate with a series of regular injury interludes that interrupted his ability to play as often as he’d have wished.
Meanwhile after forging a good reputation as Under 23 coach with Watford, Kewell had an impressive stint as manager with Crawley Town before less convincing times with Notts County Odham Atletic and Non-League Barnet.
Management and coaching however are two very different things, and plenty a good coach hasn’t been able to transfer their skill-set to a management position. Therefore, given Kewell seemed well thought of as a coach early on, Celtic may well have landed themselves a good ’un with the acquisition of the former Aussie international to Ange’s inner-sanctum.
One person who certainly seems convinced by Kewell however is former Ibrox player and fellow Socceroo Craig Moore, who when speaking to the Sunday Post certainly paints a picture of a diligent and well-respected coach.
“Harry knows football inside out, and he will relish this opportunity he has been given by Ange. We know that Ange doesn’t just appoint people for the sake of it. He worked with the guys he inherited at Celtic, and they gelled very well together last season.
“But it looks as though he has identified where things can be strengthened, and that has led to him bringing in Harry. I’ve known Harry for many, many years. It was a pleasure to play football with him. In my opinion, he is the best player Australia has ever produced. He was exceptional.
“Off the park, he is also a lovely fella, and great company. We have kept in touch, and I have used him on a number of occasions to tap into his football brain. He has great knowledge, and I respect his opinion. From the conversations we’ve had, I know how conscientious he is about coaching. He works ever so hard, and will be on that training field every day. He will also take players for one-to-one sessions.
“The players will respect his work, and love him as a person. I’m certain the likes of Liel Abada, Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi will learn plenty from Harry, and he will improve their game.
“If they manage to get Jota signed permanently from Benfica, then the same will apply to him. Harry will add a few per cent to their games here and there. The Celtic players will really enjoy his work. He’ll do everything he can for them to make them better footballers. It also helps, in my opinion, when he has had the playing career he had. All the Celtic players will be aware of him.
“He was amazing with a ball at his feet, and his on-field game intelligence was exceptional. I used to love being on his side at international level.”
Moore certainly makes a good point regarding Kewell’s likely impact on Celtic’s attacking talents. Despite his injury record, when fit, Kewell was an attacking player you would pay admission money to watch. Indeed, as part of a Leeds United team who reached the Champions League semi-finals, even when surrounded by teammates not short of talent themselves, Kewell stood out a mile.
If Celtic’s new coach can transfer some of that knowledge into improving Celtic’s attacking options Celtic may have won a watch with Kewell. And if nothing else you can be sure the likes of Jota, Maeda and Liel Abada will certainly respect what their new coach achieved in the game and will be all ears when it comes to Kewell imparting his wisdom on developing their game.
And Moore is also sure a mixed bag of a managerial record isn’t something that should concern as Kewell’s former teammate is certain his pal has the coaching expertise to be successful.
“Most managers always have one or two clubs where things don’t go the way you want them to. It happens, but Harry will be the better for every job he has had. He is only 43, and that is still very young. He has packed in plenty in such a short period of time.
“He is good on the coaching field, of that there is no doubt. Ange knows that, and that’s why he has brought him in. Harry will also not be fazed by the size of Celtic, and the demands there every week. He will not require any time to settle in, or find his feet. He is the type of guy who will hit the ground running.
“Bringing Harry to Scottish football helps raise the overall profile once again. It’s a really good move by Ange and Celtic.”
Time will tell as to what Harry Kewell will bring to Celtic, but given he’s the first appointment to go directly into the first team coaching environment, you can be sure Ange Postecoglou rates his fellow Aussie’s coaching skills highly. Whether Kewell will work predominately with the attacking players or take a more holistic coaching approach remains to be seen, but it certainly seems any concerns surrounding Kewell’s managerial record can be discounted. He’s clearly a well-respected coach.
Niall J
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