NafisaCeltic boss Martin O’Neill has confirmed the club are set to be without Yang Hyun-jun for several weeks after the winger received an international call-up with South Korea.
The 23-year-old has been selected as one of South Korea’s overage players for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, with the tournament running from September 19 to October 4.
That schedule creates a major headache for Celtic, as it means Yang is expected to miss the first Old Firm clash of the Premiership season against Rangers at Celtic Park on September 20, along with several other domestic fixtures.
Speaking after Celtic’s 1-1 draw with Shelbourne, O’Neill admitted the club were fully aware of the situation before rewarding the winger with a new contract.
He said: “He’s in, and also he’s got military duties and all that type of stuff, you know, so he’s got all of that there.
“So we might have to miss him for a number of weeks, but so be it. But we knew that before we extended his contract.”
The comments confirm Celtic knowingly accepted Yang’s upcoming absence because they remain convinced of his long-term value to the squad.
For the player, the Asian Games represent far more than another international tournament. Success with South Korea could earn him exemption from mandatory military service, making the competition one of the biggest moments of his career.
From Celtic’s perspective, however, the timing could hardly be worse.
Yang is now expected to miss a crucial spell of the campaign, including the highly anticipated league meeting with Rangers, leaving O’Neill with fewer attacking options during one of the most demanding periods of the season.
Although the manager appeared relaxed about the situation, insisting “so be it”, his side will still need to cope without a player who became an increasingly important attacking option last season.
Yang’s pace, direct running and versatility offered Celtic another dimension in the final third, whether starting matches or making an impact from the bench.
His absence is also likely to increase the urgency behind Celtic’s transfer plans before the window closes. The Scottish champions continue to push for further attacking reinforcements, with Camilo Duran among the players linked with a move to Parkhead.
Having already committed Yang to a new contract, Celtic are backing him for the future. The immediate challenge now is ensuring his absence does not leave the squad short when the season’s first major test against Rangers arrives.
Nafisa
