Celtic assistant coach Harry Kewell has opened up on a vital turning point for summer signing Aaron Mooy earlier this season.
The 32-year-old arrived at Parkhead in the summer, joining Ange Postecoglou’s squad as a surprise addition to the midfield.
However, the former English Premier League midfielder has grown into a regular role, playing his part on the domestic and European front.
Despite growing into that role and becoming a more consistent performer in Ange Postecoglou’s side, the Australian international took some time to get up to speed.
After being a free agent for several months, following his exit from a spell in China, Mooy spent time building up his fitness with appearances off the bench.
One of his first starts for the club came in late September, and it ultimately ended in disappointment, with Mooy being hooked at halftime in a 2-0 defeat against the St Mirren.
Speaking in a recent interview, ahead of Mooy’s anticipated appearance at the Qatar World Cup later this month, Celtic assistant coach Harry Kewell has revealed that defeat was a big turning point for the midfielder.
The Champions League winner stated that the experienced Socceroo international worked hard to build up his fitness and tipped the ex-Huddersfield and Brighton man for a big role at the tournament.
He said [NCA]: “He had a moment where he didn’t play well, and then the manager took him off, but the manager knows him that well, that he knows what type of reaction he gets.
“There were a lot of factors in that game, but like all professional players, if you get taken off, you feel it was (because) of you. It was part of the structure that the manager wants to play.
“But obviously (Mooy) felt hard done by, so he went out there, and he wanted to work even harder. That just goes to show the professionalism that he’s got.
“Aaron has gone from there, and he’s just getting stronger and fitter. He’s looking fantastic, he’s looking powerful, he’s looking strong, he’s looking comfortable on the ball, and I know he will take this into the Australian squad.
“You need someone like him to be able to calm everyone down, somebody in there that’s been at the highest level and be able to just relax you. It’s important for Australia to have someone like him in there, but don’t forget, he can actually shift as well.
“He can move, and he can play the balls over the top, and we do have players with pace out wide, so the opportunity for us to be able to maybe utilise that is in our favour.”
Aaron Mooy has been forced to step up with midfield absence.
Following the St Mirren defeat, at that stage in time, Aaron Mooy might not have held a consistent role in the Celtic side. But that time in the starting 11 has since come due to injuries to key players such as Callum McGregor and David Turnbull.
And some sections of the support would argue he has had a key role in keeping the Hoops domestic form going, playing his part in the 4-3 victory over Hearts and Tynecastle in October.
Although Mooy might not have the mobility of players like Reo Hatate, he certainly has the intelligence to partner the Japanese international in the Celtic midfield three.
His hard work should lead to a deserved place in the Australia squad for the up-and-coming World Cup, and it should be interesting to see the role he plays there.
Thankfully, he has put the work in and is now earning the rewards for both club and country.
In other news, “What a legend”; Celtic icon Scott Brown pays tribute to retiring Hoops hero Mikael Lustig.
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