Celtic set for final two stars to return after shock AFC Asian Cup events

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Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will soon be able to welcome back his final two stars after events at the AFC Asian Cup semi-final yesterday.

Since the beginning of January, the Irishman hasn’t been able to call on the likes of key men Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda due to Japan’s involvement in the tournament before their elimination.

Of course, Hatate suffered a calf issue while on the pitch against Bahrain in the last 16 and has now been ruled out for around five to six weeks.

In a more positive spin, Maeda is now back at Lennoxtown and could even start later tonight as the Bhoys take on Hibernian at Easter Road.

Rodgers delivered an update on his fitness, stating in his pre-match press conference before the trip to Easter Road: “He’s actually in a better place than when he left because he was still trying to get up to speed.”

Loanee Marco Tilio also exited the competition at the quarter-final stage and has since returned to Melbourne City for the remainder of the campaign.

Celtic pair Hyeongyu Oh and Yang Hyun-jun exit AFC Asian Cup

Unfortunately for South Korea, they were eliminated from the last four of the AFC Asian Cup yesterday against Jordan courtesy of goals from Yazan Al-Naimat and Mousa Tamari [BBC Sport].

In what ended up being a shock result, Jordan proved to have too much for Jurgen Klinsmann’s men in the end, recording 17 shots to the Taeguek Warriors’ eight.

Hussein Ammouta’s men will now face either Qatar or Iran in the final; meanwhile, Hyeongyu Oh and Yang Hyun-jun are now set to return to Celtic.

Of the two, Yang ended up being the only one to enter the field in a brief cameo appearance, completing seven out of nine attempted passes [Sofascore].

Nevertheless, the 21-year-old was only involved for nine minutes and didn’t have much of a chance to make an impact in what was already a forgone conclusion at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.

Hopefully, both players can take the positives from experiencing a major international tournament and come back refreshed to help Celtic in their Scottish Premiership title charge.

It is unclear exactly when they will arrive in Glasgow, though more information will come to light in due course.