South Korea U23 boss makes intriguing Celtic claim involving Hyunjun Yang amid Asian Cup fallout

Celtic winger Hyunjun Yang has shown flashes of promise since joining the club from Gangwon FC last summer.

Arriving for £2 million, the 21-year-old has gained plenty of experience in his first campaign at Parkhead, registering one goal and three assists across 31 appearances in all comPetitions [Transfermarkt].

Recently, Yang has been in and out of Brendan Rodgers’ side. He started fixtures against St Mirren and Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final before making way for James Forrest yesterday at Dundee.

As we all recollect, his veteran replacement proved to be the difference at Dens Park, scoring two goals, including a stunner on the half-hour mark, to grant his side a priceless victory in the Scottish Premiership title race.

With Heart of Midlothian up next on Saturday, it seems likely that Forrest or Daizen Maeda could be drafted in to start if he is fit, which may leave Yang somewhere down the pecking order for the run-in.

Nevertheless, the South Korea international will still have a part to play, and has matured over the campaign under Rodgers’ tutelage.

Encouragingly, at 21, he still has sizeable room for development to polish some of his raw attributes; regardless, Yang is certainly a prodigious talent to keep an eye on.

South Korea U23 boss makes Hyunjun Yang Celtic claim

Earlier this month, South Korea’s Under-23 side participated in the ongoing U23 Asian Cup in Qatar. They progressed to the comPetition’s quarter-final before being knocked out by Indonesia on penalties.

Doubling as qualifying for the Paris Olympics, the Taeguek Warriors missed out on a chance to book representation at the Games later this year, much to the disappointment of their wider Footballing public.

Due to the tournament falling outside an official FIFA international window, Celtic declined advances from boss Hwang Seon-hong, who tried to call up the former Gangwon man to participate in the Gulf region.

Now, the 55-year-old has bitten back after his nation’s elimination, claiming that the Bhoys, alongside Brentford and Stoke City, agreed to release players for the tournament but instead went back on their word despite visiting

He explained [Cited via The Daily Record]: “Firstly, I am the coach and I take full responsibility. However, there were circumstances beyond our control, such as the failure of some European clubs to release players.

“I personally visited Celtic, Brentford and Stoke City and I was promised the participation of Yang Hyun-jun, Kim Ji-soo and Bae Jun-ho. But when the tournament came, the clubs all refused to release their players because all were at a crucial stage at the end of their season.

“What could I do? I visited all of them. But yes, there was a lack of preparation for Plan B and Plan C in case the European players failed to join up.”

Hyunjun Yang staying put at Celtic was the right decision

In the end, Yang remained at Lennoxtown, which was probably the best outcome for the Hoops, given the depth he can offer off either flank.

Celtic need as many bodies as possible available amid their title battle with Rangers, and being a man down for crucial April matches wouldn’t have been an ideal scenario for Rodgers to contend with.

Hopefully, the South Korean winger can cap off his debut campaign at Parkhead by playing a part in claiming two pieces of silverware in Glasgow.