Celtic’s forward line owes much of its finesse to a figure less visible on match days but crucial in training sessions: Harry Kewell.
Brendan Rodgers, upon returning to Celtic Park, was pleasantly surprised by Kewell’s coaching abilities. Rodgers told Football Scotland, “I didn’t know Harry and Gavin [Strachan] when I came back. But I met Harry prior to taking the job and had a chat with him at my house down south. And I have to say, for a player who was world-class in his pomp, the commitment he has to being here at Celtic and helping our wingers is very good.”
Kewell’s influence is evident in the performances of players like Luis Palma, Daizen Maeda, and Yang Hyun-jun, whom he closely mentors. Rodgers praises Kewell’s impact, “With former players like him, they give you that little bit of gold dust. He shares that with the players and he’s good for our team. He gives us a different viewpoint.” This unique insight has been a massive difference for Celtic’s attacking line.
The structure of Celtic’s coaching, as Rodgers explains, is meticulous and player-focused. “The coaches have a specific number of players they work with on different elements of their game.
“An incredible amount of work goes on here, from all of the coaches, to help the players develop,” he elaborates. Kewell’s role in this structure is pivotal, focusing on the forwards, providing them with tailored guidance and tactical insights.
This collaborative approach has fostered a culture of growth and improvement. Rodgers concludes, “We identify areas they need to be better in. Harry will sit with the forward players, John with the defenders and Gavin the midfielders. Luis (when he celebrated against Ross County) was probably referencing some pointers Harry gave him, which is great. Because that’s why we’re here – to train players, give them confidence and improve them. That’s our job so it’s nice when they can reference people who are helping them.”
In Kewell, Celtic has not just a coach, but a mentor who brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective, vital for nurturing Celtic’s attacking talents.
You can see the improvement in the new bhoys as this team continues to grow under returning manager Brendan Rodgers. Ange Postecoglou was always full of praise for the coaching staff at Celtic and Rodgers is the same.
The bhoys now go into a hectic part of the season when they’ll play a game nearly every three days until the winter break. It’s incumbent of the players to be ready and the coaching staff to get them primed.
