Harry Kewell takes coaching position at Celtic after being recruited by boss Ange Postecoglou

Harry Kewell last night spoke of the ‘honour’ he felt in being picked by Ange Postecoglou to become a key member of Celtic’s backroom staff.

The Australian football icon will arrive as a first-team coach, with Stephen McManus moving to take charge of the Parkhead club’s B team.

It’s the first addition to the coaching staff made by Postecoglou since he took charge 12 months ago and comes as Celtic prepare for their Premiership title defence and Champions League group stage action.

Ange Postecoglou won the Scottish Premiership title with Celtic in his first season at the club

Kewell won Europe’s elite tournament with Liverpool in 2005 during a club career that also encompassed spells at Leeds United, Galatasaray and Melbourne Victory.

While he won the last of his 58 caps before Postecoglou took charge of the national side, the 43-year-old is keenly aware of the front-foot style demanded by the Parkhead boss.

Kewell previously held coaching and management positions in England with Crawley Town, Notts County, Oldham Athletic and Barnet.

Nine months after leaving the last of those roles, he is now eager to play his part in helping Postecoglou achieve more success in Glasgow.

‘It is a massive honour to join Celtic and team up with Ange,’ said Kewell. ‘He and his backroom team and the players have done brilliantly in their first year together, producing winning football in a great style.

Kewell joins the Scottish champions after being sacked by Barnet less than 12 months ago

‘To turn things around and become champions so quickly is a huge testament to Ange and everyone else at the club.

‘The manager is synonymous with attacking, exciting football, something he delivered on last season and something I know Celtic fans have loved right across the generations.

‘We will be aiming to give our fans more of the same going forward and I look forward to playing my part in bringing this to our supporters.

‘Celtic is a club the whole world knows and admires and it will be a privilege to be part of such a fantastic footballing institution.

‘I am well aware of the demands and responsibility which comes with the territory at such a massive club and this is something which excites me and I am sure everyone else lucky enough to be associated with Celtic.

‘I can’t wait to join up with Ange, the coaching staff and players for the challenges ahead and hope to play my part in our future success. I’m ready to work and am really looking forward to getting started.’

Kewell will join John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan on the first-team coaching staff.

Kewell, 43, famously won the Champions League in Istanbul with Liverpool in 2005

Postecoglou expressed his happiness at the addition and stressed the importance of ex-defender McManus, who came through the ranks at Parkhead, helping to progress B team talents.

‘I am really pleased that Harry has agreed to join my staff,’ said Postecoglou. ‘He knows the game inside out at the highest level and wants to play football the way myself and my team see it.

‘I know he is hugely excited about joining Celtic, he is well aware of the scale of the club, what our ambitions are and I know he will make a really positive difference to my team.

‘I was keen to restructure our coaching set up, a critical part of this was having a close link between the first team and B Team coaching structures – and Stephen’s role will also be hugely important for us as we look to get that conveyer belt of talent going between the B Team, directly up to the first team.’