Harry Kewell’s comments in the media today about how Ange runs the team are eye-opening and brilliant, and they offer a great insight into how the boss works on the psychology of his players as much as anything else.
Kewell was, in part, talking about the Australian national team and how Aaron Mooy is going to be a big asset for them. But he talked too about how Mooy didn’t have the greatest of starts in a Celtic shirt.
The low-point came with our defeat against St Mirren.
That afternoon, as we lost our unbeaten record, Mooy was subbed off at half time. It was a major reversal for him, and there are other players who would have taken it badly. Mooy didn’t do that. He dug deep. He started working harder.
We have all seen the results of that, results that Kewell talked up in the interview.
“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,” he said.
The thing is, Kewell said that apart from just wanting to make changes that day Ange did it because he knew that’s what Mooy’s response would be.
Think about that for a moment. He knows his players so well.
He knows their personalities.
He knows which ones need an arm around the shoulder and which ones need a kick up the backside. We’ve always suspected that Ange, aside from being a great tactical coach and progressive thinker is also an outstanding man manager.
This offers us a little evidence of how well tuned to his players he is.
No wonder they all look like they would run through walls for this guy.
Hmmmm, not yet impressed by Mooy, let’s see how it progresses. He was very poor against St Mirren and if he wasn’t fully sharp and fit (As suggested by him working harder and now being fitter!) he should not have started. He looks slow and lacking energy in a team that is built on energy. BUT happy to give him time to see how he grows. I think this pace/speed/energy thing is also why Turnbull is struggling a little. He loves to turn and take his time on the ball. We miss McGregor but the team has done well domestically and 7 points is a terrific lead at this point. Apart from CL a good start to the season – even though I did enjoy our performances for parts in the CL as well we went for it, perhaps alittle more caution required at this level.
Agreed but the signs of progression are there, more so with Sead. Would like to what big Oli and Guchi can do over a couple of 90-minute games too. Maybe that’ll happen in a few months when we’re 15 points or so ahead , ref’s permitting of course. C’mon a Hoops