It’s fair to say that when reports started breaking about Celtic looking at signing Kwon Hyeok-kyu and Yang Hyun-jun, the majority of the Celtic fans reached for their phones and logged into YouTube and started searching Google for all the information they could find about the Korean pair.
The club are clearly intent on pursuing their recruitment in Asia and according to former Celtic midfielder, Alan Thompson, the fans should be excited about the imminent signings from the region.
Thompson said [The Sunday Post Sport pull-out print edition page 13] “It’s more exciting business from Celtic.
“I’ve picked up bits and bobs about the new players and see that Kwon is tall and has a powerful presence. He has a good reputation.
“But there is no point in putting pressure on any of the new guys. Give them time to settle and find their feet.
“They are entering a new country, a new culture and a much more demanding level of football. There will be a period of adjustment required, I’m sure.”
Thompson then went on to talk about how he coached Ki Sung-Yueng and Cha Du-Ri and how they were absolutely dedicated to playing for Celtic by looking after themselves on and off the park.
The ex-Celtic midfielder reckons the incoming Korean duo will be just as dedicated as the former Celts back in his day and says that same dedication has been shown by Celtic’s Japanese players as well.
Thompson continued, “So, I’m certain that Kwon and Hyun-jun will be of similar outlooks. I’m told all of the Japanese players at Celtic are also totally dedicated.
“I hope it all works out for them and I’m sure it will.
“By all accounts, they’ve not cost fortunes in transfer fees, so it’s worked well for Celtic.
“The club has been good at unearthing some hidden gems over the years and let’s hope the two new signings are of the same standards.”
Like Thompson, I also believe it’s important not to get too carried away with any of our new signings. Adjusting to life at Celtic has proven difficult for even the most experienced pros never mind players who are moving from a relatively unknown league.
But it does bode well that the feedback from Thompson regarding Hyeok-kyu is so positive. The defensive midfielder is going to need to call on all his attributes if he has designs of claiming a Celtic first-team spot as his own.
In other news, Gamba Osaka boss makes humorous Kyogo quip as Celtic duo impress in Japan Tour
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