That was a difficult watch for the Celtic supporters, and now the knives are out.
Celtic won’t be playing Champions League football for the 2025/26 campaign after failing to beat Kairat Almaty over two legs.
Brendan Rodgers opted to play Daizen Maeda down the middle, with his wide players Hyunjun Yang and James Forrest.
In truth, some would argue that the Celtic manager didn’t have much choice because he had a lack of options given the abject 2025 summer transfer window.
But how did Yang and Forrest perform?
- READ MORE: ‘In truth’ – Chris Sutton sums up Celtic’s meek Champions League exit to Kairat Almaty perfectly
Hyunjun Yang and James Forrest’s substitutions as Celtic crash out of Champions League
As expected, with Celtic failing to create much during the game, Yang and Forrest were subbed off in the 70th minute for Adam Idah and Arne Engels.
But that’s not what Aiden McGeady wanted, who, before the subs board went up, stated that he would keep Forrest on and take off Yang because the former had been ‘more influential’ during the game.
Moments later, the fourth official put up Forrest and Yang’s numbers before McGeady quickly stated that he would ‘take back’ his comments, as he told BBC Radio Scotland.
John Collins stated: “It will be interesting to see who comes off. Yang, Forrest or both? Maybe Nygren goes wide right.”
McGeady suggested: “I think Forrest will stay on. I think he will put Maeda left. I just think, out of the two, Forrest has been slightly more influential than Yang. I think Yang has had more opportunities on the ball.
BBC commentator then interrupted: “Forrest’s number is up.”
McGeady added: “I will take it back then. How good was that from me?”
Yang and Forrest’s stats for Celtic against Kairat Almaty
Whether it’s fair or unfair, Yang is going to take more verbal hits for his performance against Kairat than Forrest because of their standing in this team.
You could argue that Celtic shouldn’t be relying so much on Forrest, but that’s where the squad stands, given the lack of options for the manager.
This is how the duo rated in Almaty, as sourced by FootMob:
Yang
- Shots: 0
- 14/23 passes (61%)
- Chances created: 0
- Defensive contributions: 2
- Touches: 40
- Touches in the opposition box: 1
- Successful dribbles: 1/3 (33%)
- Passes into the final third: 2
- Accurate long balls: 1/3 (33%)
- Dispossessed: 5
- Rating: 5.6
Forrest
- Shots: 1
- Accurate passes: 10/13 (77%)
- Chances created: 0
- Defensive contributions: 1
- Big chances missed: 1
- Touches: 23
- Touches in the opposition box: 2
- Passes into the final third: 3
- Accurate crosses: 0/1 (0%)
- Accurate long balls: 0/1 (0%)
- Dispossessed: 2
- Rating: 6.2
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