Hyunjun Yang reckons he is ready and prepared to be called into Celtic action quickly after making the switch from South Korea earlier this week.
The winger has signed a five-year deal in Glasgow after pushing through a move from Gangwon FC in his homeland. Having done everything he could to sign for the Bhoys, Yang believes a summer move rather than a winter one will be a big benefit for him.
Still just 21, the attacker has also laid out how he can immediately improve with work at Lennoxtown and start to fulfil his attacking potential.
He said [Scottish Daily Mail, 29/07 print edition]: “I am in the middle of the season. I think that’s why I am more prepared. A lot of players and coaches around me in Korea told me it might be more difficult to adapt if I arrived in winter. They suggested that, if I could, make the move in summer.
“I need to work on my physicality and my conditioning training. The level of football in Europe is very high, so I will start that as soon as I can.
“I have watched a lot of Celtic matches and I know it is an attacking team. I am that kind of player but, at the same time, I always try to get involved in defensive play as well. I like to dribble. When there’s an open space I like to create chances. I’m a team player.”
Yang won the South Korean Young Player of the Year award in 2022 after a fine burst of form. He scored eight goals and assisted four times throughout the breakthrough campaign.
It was a stellar season for him that also put him on the fringes of the national team, selected for friendlies against Costa Rica, Cameroon and Iceland ahead of the World Cup.
However, 2023 has been a more difficult year for him, with Gangwon suggesting his move to Celtic was a distraction to him for months before the switch. Now in place with the Bhoys, he’ll be hoping to burst onto the scene and make an instant impression.
We could even see that today in Dublin after he was included in the travelling group for the friendly against Wolves. We can’t expect too much, too soon, but he’s arriving with confidence and belief. That stands him in good stead.
In other news, Celtic signing already “good friends” with new teammate as settling in process begins.
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