JOINING CELTIC IS AN HONOUR

Kewell cannot wait to get to work with Ange and defend league title

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.

‘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 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. 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.’

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

Meanwhile, Celtic face an anxious wait to learn if Brazilian target Vinicius Souza will agree to move to Scotland.

Sportsmail first revealed how the champions had joined the list of clubs chasing the 23-year-old.

City Football Group, the Manchester City parent company from where Celtic hired Postecoglou and head of recruitment Mark Lawwell, own 60 per cent of the holding midfielder and would like him to move to Glasgow on loan.

Placed with Lommel — the City Group’s Belgian club — Souza impressed during a season-long loan at KV Mechelen. And Ajax have now joined Club Brugge, Fenerbahce and Bologna in the chasing pack.

Celtic have scheduled talks with the Brazilian’s representatives and hope to persuade the former Flamengo central midfielder that his future lies in Glasgow.

Sources close to the player have told Sportsmail, however, that they intend to study all the proposals on the table closely and have no plans to rush a decision. Unconvinced by the merits of the SPFL, they are prepared to wait until the end of the window to find the best option.

Postecoglou is in the market for midfielders after Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic left Glasgow at the end of the season.

Cameron Carter-Vickers has already agreed to sign on a permanent basis while the club have yet to agree personal terms with Portuguese winger Jota.

The representative of former Dundee United goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist has also held talks with the club.

Left-back is also a priority and after sifting through a shortlist of South American targets, talks continue with Argentine club Lanus over a £3million move for Alexandro Bernabei.

Meanwhile, Luca Connell has joined Barnsley on a three-year deal after leaving Celtic.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 cap moved to the Bhoys from Bolton in 2019 but failed to make a single appearance for the club.