Former Dundee United defender Mark Connelly has provided Celtic fans with an exciting assessment of new first-team coach Harry Kewell.
The Irishman has spent large spells of his career in Scotland, playing for St Johnstone, Kilmarnock, Dundee United and Dunfermline.
However, Connelly was also at English side Crawley Town during Harry Kewell’s first senior managerial role.
Kewell spent one full season at Crawley, guiding them to a 14th place finish in the fourth tier of English Football, before departing for a new role the following season.
He may not have spent too long playing under the legendary Socceroo. However, Connelly was full of praise for the 43-year-olds coaching ability during his time there.
In a recent interview, the former Republic of Ireland youth internationalist stated that after playing at the top level as a winger, his coaching could benefit the likes of Jota and Liel Abada the most, who will be learning from a Champions League winner.
He said [Scottish Daily Express]: “I can see Harry really helping Celtic’s attacking players and I believe there will be a big improvement, even from last season when they won the title. Jota has just signed a four-year deal last week. For a player like that, to work with Harry every day, you will see a different player.
“Ange Postecoglou has already made big changes and taken Celtic forward. The introduction of Harry will keep that going. I think you will see a difference in the likes of Jota and Liel Abada, and James Forrest. It might even just be subtle things, but they will help players who are already at the top level.
“He loved the 3-5-2 formation. A lot of the time, our play was focused on our wingers. Maybe that is because Harry himself was so good as a player in that sort of area. Whenever Harry speaks to people, he commands respect, and he expects the highest of standards. His understanding of the game and his demands were just incredible.
“Harry wanted to play total football. It didn’t matter to him that it was League Two in England because that is the way he wanted to play. He told us to play out from the back, and if we made mistakes, then he would come out in the media and take the blame. His man-management was brilliant.”
Key Celtic stars set to learn from Champions League winner.
Last season, players such as Jota, Liel Abada and Daizen Maeda were key components of Celtic’s success.
The move by Ange Postecoglou to bring Kewell to the club could prove to be a masterstroke, and some of our bright young talents will now be learning from a coach who has played at the very highest level.
Not only is he a Champions League winner, but by the sounds of Connelly’s comments, Kewell is also a good man-manager.
That can only bode well for the Hoops going into next season, and it will be interesting to see the work that the former Leeds and Liverpool winger does with the players on the training ground.
In other news, Vissel Kobe announce class Celtic Kyogo collaboration.
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