This campaign just continues to throw up surprises, and Hyunjun Yang’s new Celtic contract is a prime example of exactly that.
It’s not a case of Yang not deserving a new deal, but back in the summer, nobody would have expected the all-action winger to be in this situation because he could have easily left Celtic.
Martin O’Neill has worked with Yang for several months now, and he has given the Celtic winger his flowers for how he has improved, including how he stands out in training at Lennoxtown.
“But there was something about him in training that he has a bit of something,” said O’Neill.
“He can go past players. Deal with the ball. All those particular things. Maybe just needed a bit of confidence boost as much as anything else. He has done wonderfully well for us.”
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Martin O’Neill is ‘pleased’ Hyunjun Yang didn’t leave Celtic for Birmingham City
The 2025 summer transfer window was chaotic for Celtic, and a big reason why Brendan Rodgers left Parkhead in October.
Yang wasn’t a regular starter at the time, and there was talk of a possible transfer away from the club, but Celtic couldn’t bring in a new face.
When O’Neill was talking about Yang’s new deal on Celtic TV, he mentioned a possible move to Birmingham City, which he is ‘pleased’ didn’t materialise.
“I believe come transfer deadline day, he was down at Birmingham City, so I am pleased that didn’t go through,” said O’Neill. “Obviously, I didn’t know him at the time.
“But there was something about him in training that he has a bit of something. He can go past players. Deal with the ball. All those particular things. Maybe just needed a bit of confidence boost as much as anything else. He has done wonderfully well for us.
“He has done wonderfully well. He has got big, big goals for us at big moments. He is brave as well. Takes the ball under pressure.
“Listen, there are parts of his game we talk about. We go through his clips each week. Sometimes we come up with the same thing, ‘Yang, can you do this? Can you do this?’
“But he is super, and he has worked his way back into the South Korean squad.”
Yang’s record under O’Neill
The interesting thing about Yang’s rise is that it all started under Wilfried Nancy.
The Frenchman was the one who kick-started his Celtic career by handing him those regular minutes, which then allowed him to settle in and remain in the XI.
Yes, the South Korean star hasn’t always been at his best, but one thing is for sure: he is getting better, and better.
Before O’Neill’s return to Celtic, Yang had ten goals to his name in all competitions for the Hoops from just under 100 matches, and now he has nearly matched that in far fewer games.
- Yang’s games under O’Neill: 29
- Starts: 26
- Goals: 7
- Assists: 3
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