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

Yang Hyun-jun was almost out the door in January. Now Celtic can barely imagine lining up without him.

Back then, a move to Birmingham City looked close. The South Korean winger seemed set for a fresh start in England, his Celtic spell in danger of fizzling out before it had properly begun. Instead, he stayed put, Martin O'Neill walked back through the door for a second spell, and Yang’s season caught fire.

He finished the last campaign as one of Celtic’s most decisive players, scoring crucial goals as the club wrapped up a league and cup double. The reward came in the summer: new terms, a clear show of faith, and a bigger role. He has responded in kind.

This season has started exactly where the last one ended. Direct, dangerous, and increasingly ruthless in the final third, Yang has turned himself from fringe option to automatic pick.

That is what makes the timing of his departure so painful for Celtic. Yang will miss the next four matches while he joins up with South Korea for the Asian Games. On current form, that is a major hole to plug.

The evidence was there again on Saturday evening in Paisley. With Celtic pushed, tested and made to work by St Mirren, Yang provided the answer, grabbing the winner in a 2-1 victory. It was his second goal in four days, after he found the net in Wednesday’s win over Aberdeen.

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

The numbers back up the captain’s instinct. Two goals and an assist in seven games this season underline Yang’s growing influence. He is not just hugging the touchline and recycling possession; he is deciding matches.

Last term, he finished with 10 goals and three assists, a solid return that hinted at what might come with more trust and more minutes. That trust has arrived. So has the responsibility.

Celtic’s approach under O'Neill this season leans heavily on width. The wingers are not decoration; they are the engine of the attack, stretching teams, isolating full-backs, and creating the spaces that midfielders like McGregor exploit. In that system, Yang is tailor-made for the left flank, cutting in, driving at defenders, and finishing moves himself when the chance appears.

If not for his international call-up, he would be one of the first names on the team sheet.

Instead, he heads to Japan, where South Korea face Qatar and Saudi Arabia later this month. It is a big stage for a player whose stock is rising quickly, and a chance to carry his Celtic form into the international arena.

Back home, the schedule does not ease for the champions. Celtic travel to St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership, then walk straight into a League Cup quarter-final at Rangers. After that comes a Europa League home tie against Ferencvaros, followed by a home Old Firm derby in the league.

Four games, three competitions, one glaring absence on the left wing.

Yang Hyun-jun almost slipped away from Celtic less than a year ago. Now the real question is how they cope without him, just as the season’s biggest tests start to arrive.