Yang Hyun-jun's Impact on Celtic's Attack

Yang Hyun-jun was almost out the door in January. Now Celtic can hardly imagine life without him.

Back then, a move to Birmingham City looked close. The winger’s Celtic story felt like it might end before it had really begun. Instead, the deal never materialised, Martin O'Neill walked back through the door for a second spell, and Yang stayed put.

That decision has changed the shape of Celtic’s attack.

Under O’Neill, Yang grew from fringe option to match-winner, chipping in with crucial goals as Celtic sealed a league and cup double. By the time the summer came around, there was no real debate. The 24-year-old signed new terms, and he has carried that same sharp edge into the new campaign.

Two games in four days have underlined it.

On Wednesday, he struck in the win over Aberdeen. On Saturday evening in Paisley, he went one better, grabbing the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory at St Mirren. Different nights, same outcome: Yang changing the scoreboard, and the mood.

No one inside the Celtic dressing room needs convincing.

“He is a really important part of the team,” captain Callum McGregor told Sky Sports after the win. “He's a big player to miss, but obviously we wish him the best.”

McGregor knows what is coming. Celtic now have to do without Yang for four matches as he joins up with South Korea for the Asian Games. On this form, that absence bites.

The numbers back up the feeling. This season, Yang has two goals and an assist in seven games, a tidy return that reflects more than just end product. He stretches the pitch, drives at full-backs, and gives Celtic the width that underpins O’Neill’s approach. Last term he hit 10 goals and added three assists; this is not a sudden hot streak, it is a steady climb.

Right now, he would be the obvious starter on the left. The problem for Celtic is that his country needs him too.

South Korea head to Japan later this month to face Qatar and Saudi Arabia. While Yang is chasing honours in Asia, Celtic must navigate a punishing schedule without one of their most direct threats.

The timing is brutal. A trip to St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership comes first. Then it’s straight into a League Cup quarter-final away to Rangers, a home Europa League tie against Ferencvaros, and finally an Old Firm derby back at Celtic Park in the league.

Four games, two derbies, Europe on the line, and no Yang Hyun-jun.

In January, Celtic nearly chose to live without him. Now they are about to find out what that really looks like.