YANG KNOWS HIS CELTIC HISTORY..
Never mind Jota, South Korean insists legend Forrest has set gold standard for any new wing wonder at Parkhead
YANG HYUN-JUN refuses to feel overburdened by the growing expectation he’s the natural replacement for Jota at Celtic. After all, the South Korean had already set himself an onerous task by coveting the career of a wide man with greater Parkhead staying power than the Portuguese icon.
Yang was quick to recognise James Forrest on arrival at Celtic and not simply because the one-club man was being honoured by a testimonial match against Athletic Bilbao.
Over a decade ago, Forrest played alongside Cha Du-Ri and Ki Sung-Yueng.
All these years after watching on TV as two of his South Korean heroes starred in hoops, Yang is settling into a Celtic squad with their former team-mate Forrest.
Yang regards it a great thrill and pleasure to now count him as a colleague and has concluded it would be wise to target emulating his impact at the club.
‘I know that Jota was a great player and very popular at Celtic,’ said the 21-year-old. ‘I’m not 100-per-cent sure that I’m the only person to fill that gap.
‘We have other great players at Celtic and, together, we can do it in each match. James is one of the club’s great players. He played with Ki and Cha Du-Ri some years ago here.
‘I watched Celtic games when I was younger when Ki and Cha played for the club. I watched them a lot. When I look at James and how the fans support him, that gives me motivation to do well here. ‘James is an inspiration to me, absolutely, in terms of his relationship with the fans. For every match at Celtic Park, when the fans shout and make noise, it gives me goosebumps every time.
‘Even when I might feel tired, it gives me more energy to give even more.
‘Celtic has always been my dream club. So when I first heard of their interest it was like a dream come true for me.
‘There was no moment of hesitation. I was fixed on this move from the very first moment.’
Yang looked as if he belonged when, at Pittodrie last Sunday, his quick feet created the key goal for Matt O’Riley to kill off Aberdeen.
Yang will doubtless tune intently into every word of advice that 32-year-old Forrest can offer as he seeks to build on an eye-catching impact.
However, cameos against Ross County and particularly the Dons hint that he already possesses all the ability to become a spell-binding performer for Celtic.
His club back home, Gangwon, is currently waging a relegation battle in the K-League.
‘This is a very different team to the one I played for,’ he explained. ‘Our team didn’t dominate games as much. Here at Celtic, I can already feel that we’re a dominant team.
‘In terms of match tempo in Scotland, I feel that it’s much faster here so I’m now adapting to the speed of the games.
‘What I showed on Sunday when I came on against Aberdeen is what I’m best at. It’s what I’m most confident doing on the pitch.
‘But I think I can show much more next time. Because I’m good and confident when I dribble with the ball, the skills come out instinctively. I don’t try to mimic anyone’s individual skills but I watch matches to try and understand what skill set you might need in different situations.
‘Up until now, I’ve only been a substitute for Celtic. If I get the chance to play from the start, which is totally different, I’ll try to show some good moves the fans will hopefully like.’
Today’s Viaplay Cup last-16 tie at Rugby Park could provide that opportunity.
Progress in knockout competitions has not always come smoothly to Yang.
He is nagged by a personal blunder from May when he feared being the fall guy as Gangwon’s third-round tie against Chungbuk Cheongju went to a shoot-out.
Yang missed the sixth penalty and was relieved to be bailed out by team-mates who secured a nail-biting win.
He revealed: ‘I don’t have good cup memories! I played in the Korean FA Cup and I missed a big chance in one of the big matches. This is a big opportunity to make up for that now. If I can contribute to a cup victory for Celtic, it would be a good memory.
‘The game went to penalties and I missed one. Thankfully our keeper did well and, in the end, we got the victory.
‘In that game, I lost my concentration with a chance in extra-time. It was the final minutes when I messed up.
‘After that game, it was a good lesson, to always concentrate until the end of the match.’
Yang’s recruitment — along with Kwon Hyeok-kyu — was believed to be in the pipeline well before there was ever a need to woo Brendan Rodgers back to the club.
Former boss Ange Postecoglou plucked Hyeon-gyu Oh from the K-League in January to great effect in the second half of last season.
With Oh settled and starring in Glasgow before picking up an injury early this season and Rodgers taking an instant shine to Yang, a life-changing move is feeling fairly seamless.
‘My life in Glasgow is very good, the people have been very nice to me, I’ve adapted really well so far,’ Yang added.
‘All the coaches and staff at Celtic’s training ground have been really nice to me.
‘I feel even more relaxed than I expected to be so far. Everything is good. It’s no problem for me that it was the former manager who identified me for Celtic.
‘I really respect the gaffer here and feel honoured to be part of his team. I will adapt well and I’m looking forward to playing good football under him.’