Significant progress has been made in a deal to seal Celtic’s third summer signing as Yang Hyun-Jun has edged closer to signing for the club. The signing of another talented young player is always welcome at Celtic, but many across the Celtic fanbase have questioned this signing, using the players stats from this season as their main argument.
The South Korea U23 international has just one goal and one assist in 19 games this season for Gangwon FC in the K League, on first glance they are underwhelming stats to say the least.
However, looking beyond the surface of his goal contributions, Gangwon’s poor league position and performance this season has certainly played its part in the player’s lack of goals and assists.Gangwon FC currently sit second bottom after 20 league games, just three points off the drop and six points from safety.
Scoring just 12 goals this season, Gangwon have the worst attack in the league, with even last place Suwon Bluewings scoring five more goals than them this season.
Yang Hyun-Jun has operated across the front three at times for Gangwon this calendar year who play a 3-4-3 system. Although the player will certainly be disappointed with his own personal stats this season, he certainly hasn’t been helped by his teammates in what has been an extremely poor showing from his current club this year.
Those who remain sceptical of the players ability should only look at his performances in a Gangwon shirt last season, as he scored eight goals and contributed four assists in 31 league games as his side finished 6th in the K League.
Fans should always have the right to critique the club they dedicate their life to, including things such as potential signings, but writing off a player’s ability without delving deeper into the wider context of the player and his club is lazy and screams of looking for something to critique.
Only time will tell whether Celtic can get the deal over the line, but it is clear that the club’s recruitment team see the value in signing Hyun-Jun and must believe that he will add quality to the current Celtic side. Less informed judgements should be made about the player once he is seen in the flesh wearing the Hoops.
James French
🇰🇷 | 𝙔𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙃𝙮𝙪𝙣-𝙅𝙪𝙣 – 𝙐𝙥𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚
Gangwon FC representatives have confirmed they've reentered negotiations with Celtic for the sale of winger Yang Hyun-Jun.
– “We decided to talk with Celtic. If negotiations are made our position is that a transfer is possible." pic.twitter.com/vHoBGwSNoO
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) July 6, 2023
Not for me ” Those who remain sceptical of the players ability should only look at his performances in a Gangwon shirt last season, as he scored eight goals and contributed four assists in 31 league games as his side finished 6th in the K League. ” Hardly earth shattering. Why do we have to go to the other side of the world to get average players – Bolongoli, Bernabei, this guy etc – what are we developing in house ?