Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has opened up on why he brought new assistant coach Harry Kewell to the club this summer.
It hasn’t just been a busy summer filled with transfer business for Postecoglou but also changes behind the scenes within his backroom staff.
Ahead of the Hoops’ pre-season preparations, it was announced that legendary Aussie internationalist and former Liverpool winger Harry Kewell would be the first new addition to the Parkhead dugout.
The 43-year-old has gotten to work right away and has helped the Bhoys to a brilliant start to the season, kicking things off with five wins from five.
Speaking in a recent interview with popular Scottish Football podcast, Open Goal, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has reflected on the thinking behind bringing Kewell to the club.
The 57-year-old revealed is always keeping a watchful eye over young coaches progressing through the game, including Kewell.
Postecoglou decided that providing the former Liverpool and Leeds man with an opportunity would be the ideal move for his coaching career in order to continue his development, after going through a very similar situation at an earlier stage of his career.
When asked if he had worked with Harry Kewell in the past, Ange said [Open Goal]: “No, but I kind of keep tabs on different coaches; young coaches in particular.
“I’ve always been big on because it happened to me; there was a period in my career where I couldn’t get an opportunity, and I thought, ‘mate, it’s just not right’.
“I knew that I believed in myself, so I thought, why doesn’t someone give me an opportunity? It was just a bit of luck and circumstances that I got an opportunity to coach again, and since then, my careers gone off.
“I thought, you know what, there could be other people like me out there. So, I’m always scanning to see, I follow as manager young managers as possible, see they’re going.
“And it’s not about them having success. Harry, if you look at him, he’s really wanted to have a crack at having a career, and he’s done some really tough gigs three or four times.
“It hasn’t worked out for him, and watching him from afar, talking to people; they said look, he’s got plenty of energy, great enthusiasm and great knowledge. He just needs to be in a good environment.
“So, I thought you know what, bring him in here, he’ll add what he’s got, because he has played at the highest level, won a Champions League.
“But, then also he can develop working alongside some good coaches here, in a good environment.”
Harry Kewell’s impact will be felt on the Celtic Park dressing room.
By adding Kewell to his backroom staff, Ange Postecoglou has introduced a high-rated Australian coach who has had an unfortunate start to his coaching career.
Not only that, but he has also brought in a man who has experience at the highest level possible in club football, having lifted the Champions League with Liverpool.
As Celtic prepare to embark upon their return to the tournament, that experience will be extremely valuable behind the scenes.
Ahead of the return of these huge Champions League nights in Europe and at Paradise, the legendary Aussie is likely to play a huge role in helping the squad prepare for some of the best sides in the world.
What is interesting to hear during this interview is the similarities that Ange Postecoglou sees between himself and Kewell as a coach at an earlier stage of his career.
So, there is clearly going to be a strong relationship there and between all the members of the backroom staff at Celtic.
In other news, Sead Haksabanovic’s brilliant response to Celtic rout of Dundee United.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
