Yang’s honest Celtic transfer confession after heroic brace

Celtic may not rely on one dominant superstar, but their strength lies in the collective contributions of the squad. If they are to lift the title this season, it will be because different players continue to deliver decisive moments when it matters most.

Throughout the campaign, individual brilliance has often made the difference. Stunning efforts such as Callum McGregor’s strike in Paisley, Benjamin Nygren’s free-kick at Tynecastle, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal against Livingston, Julian Araujo’s moment at Rugby Park, Junior Adamu’s contribution versus Dundee, and Reo Hatate’s second-half impact at Ibrox have all played their part.

Yang Hyun-jun added his name to that list with a standout display in Celtic’s vital 3-1 comeback victory over Motherwell on Saturday.

Not only did the Hoops once again show the resilience that has helped them through a demanding run of fixtures, but the win also reduced the gap to William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts to just two points.

Yang cancelled out Elijah Just’s first-half opener shortly after the interval. Showing sharp awareness, he pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the Motherwell box and fired a precise finish into the bottom-right corner.

He later sealed the victory with ten minutes remaining. A long goal kick from Viljami Sinisalo sailed over Motherwell’s defence, and Yang controlled it expertly before calmly finishing past Callum Ward, already wheeling away in celebration before the ball hit the net.

In previous seasons, the South Korean winger might have rushed such chances. Now, however, he displays the composure and intelligence of a player capable of delivering under pressure in a tense title race.

Interestingly, Yang almost left the club last summer. A proposed transfer to Birmingham City collapsed, meaning he remained in Glasgow for another season. Instead of dwelling on the failed move, he focused on improving and proving his value.

Yang has spoken about how fortunate he feels to play under manager Martin O’Neill, describing the experience as extraordinary. Off the pitch, he has also been working on his English, which has helped him settle into life at Celtic nearly three years after moving from South Korea.

Reflecting on the near transfer, Yang said he was close to leaving but did not allow the situation to affect him negatively. Instead, it motivated him to work even harder and prepare better, something he believes is now visible in his performances.

He admitted that his first two seasons were challenging, particularly due to limited playing time and language barriers. However, with greater confidence in English and stronger relationships with teammates and staff, life at the club has become far easier.

Yang also joked about learning Scottish expressions from teammates, especially Tony Ralston, while trying to teach him a few Korean phrases in return.

The winger has also built a strong connection with Celtic supporters. Since his debut against Ross County in August 2023, a loyal group of fans known online as the “Yang gang” have consistently backed him.

Yang says he appreciates their support and enjoys knowing there are fans cheering him on.

With six Premiership goals this season, only Daizen Maeda and Benjamin Nygren have scored more for Celtic. His performance against Motherwell was arguably one of the club’s best individual displays since the turn of the year, with manager Martin O’Neill even describing him as “sensational”.

Despite scoring twice, Yang emphasised that the team result mattered most to him. He admitted he was pleased with the goals but even happier that Celtic secured an important three points after a difficult sequence of matches.

He also praised Motherwell as a strong opponent and credited the team’s preparation during the week for helping them claim the win.

Looking ahead, Yang believes the victory can provide a significant confidence boost for both himself and the squad as the season approaches its decisive phase.

With the Premiership split approaching, Celtic face Dundee United, Dundee, and St Mirren before the league divides in two.

Yang made it clear that the squad’s focus is firmly on the title race. According to him, the team is concentrating on taking things one game at a time while overcoming the challenges that inevitably come during a long season.

For Yang, success has been a familiar feeling since arriving at Celtic. This campaign has tested the squad more than usual, but if he continues performing like he did against Motherwell, another league winner’s medal could well be waiting for him by May.