Inside Celtic linked coach Harry Kewell's obsessive pursuit of perfection

Former Ross County midfielder Davis Keillor-Dunn believes Ange Postecoglou's recruitment of compatriot Harry Kewell to his first-team coaching staff will turn out to be another managerial masterstroke. The 24-year-old served under Kewell when he was manager of Oldham in season 2020/21 and insists that his arrival at Celtic is a win-win for the men from Glasgow's East End.

The attacking midfielder spent two years with the Staggies between 2017 and 2019 and then enjoyed a loan spell with Falkirk. He explains it was Kewell's personal touch as well as the one-to-one tuition that helped develop his game and take it to another level.

Keillor Dunn said: "I can only judge Harry Kewell on what I have experienced personally. He is one of the best coaches I have worked with. He really helped my game as I played a similar position to him and I got more one-to-one time than anybody. He played at the highest level possible and he knew the position inside out. He wanted me to constantly work on my left foot and my right foot. If he identified a weakness in any player's game he would tell them straight away.

READ MORE: Celtic 'set to add' Harry Kewell to Ange Postecoglou's backroom staff

"Harry told lots of players their game strengths but he also wasn't shy at pointing out the weaknesses and downfalls. He also tells players home truths as he is such an honest guy. As a coach his attention to detail is second to none. He is a total perfectionist and he puts in so many hours of training. If you don't do it his way he is not shy in letting you know. Players love that honesty as it helps benefit their game. Harry totally prides himself on the work that his players put in on the training pitch. The players have also got to enjoy training and if they put in the work in the sessions then they will reap the benefits and see the results for themselves on the pitch come matchday.

"Harry is non-stop on the training ground and he will not leave until the last player is in the changing room. He has a bit of everything and has what it takes to go on and become a top coach. I think he will do well for Celtic and benefit the club so much.

"He likes a laugh and a joke. He is a great guy. He has still got it - left foot, right foot and cross balls. The talent is all still there in abundance. He loves to join in as much as possible at training and he will get the bib on and take part in the five-a-side games. You can see the quality he still has. The Celtic players will see it for themselves soon enough. Harry still has the buzz for it and I'm sure he still misses playing because he just loves being involved."

The Australian connection may be all well and good but Keillor-Dunn reckons that Kewell can now go and thrive in an environment where he feels his undoubted coaching talent belongs. The challenge of establishing Celtic as a force once again on the European stage is one that the Aussie alongside Postecoglou will relish. The ex-Sunderland, Chesterfield and Middlesbrough player believes that having the likes of Kewell around will also help Celtic get the best out of mercurial talents like Portuguese winger Jota.

Kewell and Keillor-Dunn

Keillor-Dunn said: "Harry is going into a club where he will know the manager. That familiarity is a wonderful thing straight off the bat and that can help things go even smoother. Harry will automatically feel at home with Celtic. The Australian connection is there and he will know that Postecoglou is his mate and will be there to help bed him in. That can't be under-estimated.

"I can really understand why Harry is going into Celtic as he is the kind of guy who can take the club to the next level in Europe. He knows what that arena is all about. He knows the level and the standard required to compete at the Champions League level.

"Harry will take to Celtic like a duck to water. I watched them a few times last season and I just feel he is a perfect fit for that club. Celtic are relentless going forward and they are continually creating chances. I have watched the boy Jota a few times too and once he gets to work with a player like that he can take him to the next level. That's why it wouldn't surprise me to see a quick turnaround in terms of the wide and attacking players' performances and goals ratio as soon as Harry steps in the door at Celtic.

"I'm delighted for Harry that he has got this opportunity at such a big club as Celtic and that he can now show his management and coaching skills. I mean no disrespect to Crawley, Notts County, Oldham and Barnet's of this world but I think Harry is going to be working with a much higher level of player will suit him even more. He is used to working with the best. Harry is now going in at Celtic who is the best club in Scotland and has gained automatic entry straight into the Champions League group stages. I really do think that this is the perfect fit for both parties. That's why I think Harry possesses that edge over other first-team coaches or assistants that Celtic could have looked to bring in. I would certainly trust and back Harry to take Celtic to that next level. I genuinely believe that Harry can push Celtic on as a club."

It begs the question: if Kewell is such a good coach what went wrong exactly at Oldham and the other English clubs he managed? He's had four spells in charge of teams in the English lower leagues and failed to set the heather alight having been sacked from his last three managerial positions at Notts County, Oldham and most recently Barnet.

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Keillor-Dunn though insists that the Oldham players and supporters alike were devastated when Kewell parted company with the club just when he had them playing a brand of attractive, attacking football.

He said: "I can't really comment on the other clubs he was at like Crawley and Notts County. When he was at Oldham he didn't do so badly. He was relatively successful and we were the second or third goalscorers in League Two when Harry was the manager.

"The supporters really enjoyed watching us play football. The club didn't finish where we wanted to but it was Harry who identified that we needed to strengthen the defensive department. We leaked a few goals but we were great going forward. We played really attractive, attacking football.

"Once Harry identified that we needed defenders he parted ways with the club. I don't want to go into too much detail but I think the sporting director and owners maybe had a little bit of input into first-team matters at Oldham. Everybody could see what Harry was doing if only he had been given a bit more time.

"But he's is now going to be a coach at a higher level of football and I can't see anything other than good things for Celtic in the future."