Celtic have informed the South Korean footballing authorities that Yang Hyun-jun won’t be available for selection during the Olympic men’s qualifiers…
The national team’s U-23’s called the winger up for the forthcoming Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup, revealing that his club had pulled rank and insisted he stayed to help fight for the Scottish Premiership title.
Due to the AFC not being considered part of the FIFA international match calendar, Brendan Rodgers will have his man staying put to help the team’s assault at another Scottish League and Cup Double until the end of May. It’s great news for the club and our supporters that the South Korean wide-man will be around for what could be key and pivotal matches from now until the end of business in June.
Even though he struggled with adaption to life in Scotland, Yang’s explosive pace and strength have been noticeable and have been utilised by Brendan Rodgers mainly from the bench since the start of the New Year. Unfortunately for the player, he was sent off erroneously for a high-boot at the beginning of last month when we played Hearts at Tyncastle. Don Robertson rightfully booked the Korea Republic international, however, the much maligned John Beaton on VAR had other ideas, sending Robertson to the monitor to search for a possible red card.
It cost Celtic the match that day in Gorgie and our manager was fizzing afterwards, leading to him calling Beaton out for incompetence. He has since been reprimanded and served a one-match suspension at Livingston last weekend with another suspended after the Hoops heirarchy hired top sports lawyer, Nick DeMarco, to fight a clear injustice at the behest of our boss.
Thankfully, both Rodgers and Yang Hyun-jun will no be present from now until the end of the season and both will be hoping it ends with silverware and medals…
Celtic FC have refused to send Yang Hyun-Jun to the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup. Hong Si-hoo will replace him. pic.twitter.com/UumqcrkHZZ
— Korea Football News (@KORFootballNews) April 5, 2024
Paul Gillespie
