HARRY KEWELL has sat alongside Ange Postecoglou for only 10 games since arriving at Celtic as first team coach in June.
Already, though, the former Liverpool, Leeds United and Australia legend has been struck by the “wow” factor provided by the Hoops support.
Kewell, a former Champions League winner with the Anfield club who also had three years with Turkish giants Galatasaray, was hit by the special atmosphere generated by the supporters at Parkhead in the opening-day Premiership meeting with Aberdeen on July 31.
ON THE BALL…Harry Kewell keeps an eye on Celtic players during preparation.
The coach, who celebrates his 44th birthday today, said: “As a player, I never really noticed the atmosphere. You could hear a noise at the start when you’re walking out, but as soon as I went on the park I switched off.
“The biggest crowd I’ve played in is 120,000 with Australia away to Iran and they were bouncing about, but it didn’t affect me.
“To me, it’s a pitch with 11 men, some fans cheer you or boo you, but I went out and would do my job. Now as a coach, I take it in a lot more because I have the chance to sit back and watch.”
Kewell, speaking to the Celtic View, added: “The opening game of the season at home to Aberdeen. I’ve heard You’ll Never Walk Alone every week at Liverpool, but that day it was something different, it was awesome.
PARADISE…Celtic players and supporters celebrate a goal.
“The way the fans timed it and they stopped when the whistle blew, even I was like ‘Wow!’.
“That’s part of the excitement about being here because I’ve played in a lot of derbies and atmospheres, but everyone always says this place is different.”
Since hanging up his boots, Kewell has been in charge of four English League teams – Crawley, Notts County, Oldham and Barnet.
Ange Postecoglou, his former international manager, brought him into the Hoops backroom set-up in the summer with Stephen McManus moving to work alongside Darren O’Dea at the team’s B squad.
Former Hoops centre-back and captain McManus will now share his duties with the Scotland Under-21s after today’s appointment as an assistant to head coach Scot Gemmill.
