Cult hero given Lennoxtown tour this week; talks up Celtic coaching, Kewell impact

By Dave Flanigan

August 11, 2022

Celtic cult hero Albert Kidd has praised the influence of Ange Postecoglou’s management on Australian football, and has backed new coach Harry Kewell to have a telling influence in Paradise.

Despite his status amongst fans, Kidd never played for Celtic, but is much-revered for his final day double for Dundee against Hearts that secured the title for the Hoops in 1986, and spoke after a tour of Lennoxtown on Monday.

As reported by The Scottish Sun, Kidd said: “I always thought Ange had a different style of management from a lot of people. He knows what he wants.

“Looking at the year he’s had at Celtic, it’s been so good. He likes quick passing from his players. He doesn’t want people holding on to the ball for too long.

“It’s two-touch and get rid of the ball and get into the final third. He likes ball players, good football players and he has done well.

“It’s been like that at every club he’s been at. Look at Japan, where he won the title. The teams in Australia that he coached, Brisbane Roar, for example, were really good sides too. He has the knack of getting his players playing for him.”

Kidd is based in Australia, having finished his career at West Adelaide SC in 1993, and has seen the long-term influence of Postecoglou’s style on the game Down Under.

The former Dundee man was formally introduced to Celtic’s lastest coaching appointment – Harry Kewell – during his Lennoxtown tour on Monday, someone who Kidd believes can work well with the Bhoys boss.

He said: “I met Harry on Monday. What a great appointment that is, he’s just an Australian legend. It will be great for the players to be coached by Harry. Ange inherited the coaches there and didn’t bring in his own guys.

“It’s unusual because you do want your own people working for you. Now he’s got Harry with John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan. Harry will have an impact on what Celtic do. He’s a household name and one of the best, if not the best player, Australia has produced.”

Despite the slightly unusual circumstances of his legacy due to his lack of official association, Kidd is an iconic figure for Celtic fans of that generation, and his endorsement of Kewell’s appointment is a particularly pleasing one.

Although Postecoglou’s status in Australian football is common knowledge at this point, it’s also telling that his methodology has become part of the coaching process, such is his influence on the Aussie game.

Celtic will hope to not need their own Albert Kidd this season, and will look to secure the title before the final ten minutes of the campaign; they continue their title defence away to Kilmarnock on Sunday.

In other news: Report: La Liga side ‘best placed’ to sign Celtic target Alex Collado