Yang Hyun-jun's call-up to the Asian Games leaves Celtic without a primary source of goals and width for the next four matches. The 24-year-old sealed his final outing before departure with the winner at St Mirren, his second goal in three days after scoring against Aberdeen in midweek.
Yang nearly moved to Birmingham City in January but stayed when Martin O'Neill returned for his second spell. He played a notable role as Celtic won last season's league and cup double, and signed a new contract in the summer that runs through to 2030. This term he has recorded two goals and an assist in seven games, following a campaign with 10 goals and three assists.
On the left flank Yang dictates much of Celtic's attacking width and balance, a role not easily replicated. Sebastian Tounekti replaced him at St Mirren and created a clear opportunity from a similar area but failed to finish. Tounekti has shown his value this season with a goal and an assist in the 4-0 cup win at Dundee United and logged eight goal involvements last term, yet his influence is expected to be reduced while Yang is away.
Celtic also anticipate Jota's return from a long-term knee injury sustained in April 2025, which should provide cover once he is fully fit. Captain Callum McGregor underlined Yang's importance, saying, "He is a really important part of the team," and added, "He's a big player to miss, but obviously we wish him the best."
External voices accept the squad can cope but stress the loss matters. Rory Loy told BBC Sportsound, "Celtic will want to win the treble this season. Behind closed doors, I'm sure all the players and the manager feel they've got the squad to do it." Former goalkeeper Pat Bonner added, "Celtic played their normal Celtic style but their tempo was really high. The players that came on from the bench kept that tempo up. They're going in the right direction."
South Korea meet Qatar and Saudi Arabia in Japan later this month, while Celtic face a testing sequence at St Johnstone, a League Cup quarter-final at Rangers, a home Europa League tie with Ferencvaros, then a home Old Firm league derby. Those fixtures will be the immediate measure of whether Celtic can sustain momentum without Yang for the rest of the month.
