The Celtic player who splits opinion. Yang and his career crossroads | OneFootball

Celtic winger Yang may be at a crossroads moment in his career, and Celtic may be at a similar junction in their opinion of the player and his development arc…

Yang Hyun-Jun celebrates scoring a goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park, on 25th February 2025 . Picture by Mark Runnacles

With Sky Sports’ ever-reliable Anthony Joseph reporting interest in the South Korean winger from clubs in England and notably from Polish club Legia Warsaw, questions inevitably swirl around whether Celtic are ready to cash in, or whether the Celtic are on the verge of seeing Yang truly reach his potential as a player.

“Legia Warsaw have made an enquiry for Celtic winger Hyunjun Yang. Clubs in England & across Europe are also monitoring the South Korea international’s situation. He’s got 3 years left on his contract. The 23yo got 6 goals & 6 assists last season,” Anthony Joseph from Sky Sports reported on X.

Yang has divided opinion since his arrival. There are those who have written him off as erratic and lacking final product, and others who see glimpses of something very exciting. As ever in football, the truth likely lies somewhere in between.

His cameo in the Scottish Cup Final against Aberdeen did little to enhance his standing. In a performance riddled with underwhelming displays across the park, Yang’s late introduction was marked more by frustration than impact. And yet, should that window – in a broken team performance – define the player?

Yang Hyun-Jun of Celtic battles for possession with John McGinn of Aston Villa during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between Aston Villa FC and Celtic FC at Villa Park on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

When you look back at the second half of the 2024/25 season, there was progress. Under Rodgers’ stewardship, Yang started to look less like a raw project and more like a player growing into the system. His work rate never faltered, his movement off the ball was intelligent, and at times he seemed to be learning how to use his pace and skill to turn the screw in the final third.

It wasn’t always consistent, that’s for certain – but flashes of promise began to outnumber moments of frustration, possibly for the first time in his Celtic career.

Hyunjun Yang of Celtic beats Junior Hoilett of Hibernian Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, Quarter Final, Celtic Park, – 09 March 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

But therein lies the problem. Celtic aren’t short of attacking options. In fact, you could say the cupboard is too full. Palma, Daizen, Kuhn, Nygren, Jota’s return, Forrest still kicking, and youngsters like Tilio and Osmand pushing for inclusion across the front three positions. Add in the manager’s desire to bring in more physicality and athleticism in wide areas, and the logjam becomes obvious.

Rodgers needs flexibility in his squad – but he also needs clarity. Eleven players for three positions? It doesn’t add up, and that’s before any new arrivals.

The sensible model Celtic have adopted in recent years demands difficult decisions. To maintain squad harmony and progression, some need to go. With the Hoops likely to trim the numbers to around nine forwards – that’s two per position, with one floating utility option – at least two must make way.

Man of the Match Yang looks delighted with his award after coming off the bench to star for Celtic in the 5-2 win at St Mirren. Photo social media.

Could Yang be one of them?

That depends on two things. Firstly – does the player himself see a future where he’s a regular starter at Celtic Park? Because let’s face it, he’s been more sub than first XI. If he wants to push for a regular spot in the Korean national team, he may see Legia Warsaw – or even the English Championship – as a route to weekly football.

Secondly – do Celtic believe he’s reached his ceiling?

If they think this is as good as it gets, now’s the time to move him on. A decent fee from Poland or England, a sell-on clause inserted, and everyone walks away with no hard feelings. Job done.

Yang leads the celebrations. St Mirren v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Saturday 1st March 2025. Photo: Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

But if there’s a sense at Lennoxtown that Yang is only just getting started – that his tactical intelligence, his drive, and his technical ability can merge with physical confidence and end product – then letting him go now might look foolish in a year’s time.

There are plenty of players who took time to settle at Celtic. Matt O’Riley, even Daizen to some extent, needed a bedding-in period before exploding. Could Yang be the next in that line?

The fans are split, the club has a decision to make, and the player himself may be weighing up a move. That’s football. But, if Rodgers still sees something in the kid – and there’s been little to suggest otherwise – then a little patience might just be rewarded.

Alphonso Davies L of Bayern Munich vies with Yang Hyun-Jun of Celtic FC during the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off second leg football match between Bayern Munich and Celtic FC in Munich, Germany, Feb. 18, 2025. Photo by /Xinhua Philippe Ruiz

So, before we consider encouraging Yang out the Parkhead door, maybe we’d do well to remember there’s more to a player than one poor performance, and those previous few months prior to the moment many seemed to reach their limit with Yang were really encouraging.

Time will tell. But the Yang career crossroads, for player and club is likely now here – and both must choose carefully. Is he still a star in the making, or is it time to part ways?

Niall J

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