These past few months have been quite turbulent for Celtic and the squad, considering the volume of managerial shifts behind the scenes.
From Brendan Rodgers departing in October, Martin O’Neill stepping in, followed by the disastrous Wilfried Nancy spell, and then O’Neill returning.
Throughout that stretch, it could be claimed that Hyunjun Yang has developed while wearing a Celtic jersey and emerged as one of the more reliable performers.
After Celtic secured the signings of Junior Adamu and Joel Mvuka on transfer deadline day, both capable of operating on the right wing, Yang’s position was debated by the Open Goal panel.
Hyunjun Yang is Celtic’s ‘number one’ winger
It will be fascinating to observe how O’Neill manages his starting lineup, particularly his attacking unit, as he now has several alternatives at his disposal.
From Ross McCormack’s viewpoint, Yang retains his place in the lineup because he is currently Celtic’s ‘number one’ winger.
Andy Halliday mentioned how Celtic were attempting to offload Yang during the summer, but the move collapsed due to the absence of a suitable replacement.
While the Open Goal panel agreed that the South Korean forward may not possess the quality to deliver league titles for the Hoops, they believe he is producing strong displays at present.
Si Ferry: “Does Maeda need to come out now (after the signings of Adamu and Mvuka)?”
Ross McCormack: “I was just about to get to that. I was going to say, ‘Where does he fit in?’ Do you reckon he can play on the left?
“I think Cvancara, he is nailed on to play through the middle. For me, at the minute, Yang is their best winger. He’s productive. I think he is the most productive.
“If you take away the Falkirk game, all the games before that.”
Ferry: “Is he good enough to win leagues?”
McCormack: “Yang? No. But that’s not the question. For me, he is their most dangerous quick winger.”
Andy Halliday: “Yang was driving down to Birmingham in the summer. Celtic were desperate to get rid of him. He was on his way; it was pretty much all done. They couldn’t get a replacement, and they called Yang back.
“Now you are talking about him being the number one Celtic right winger. Don’t get me wrong, he has done well. I still feel Celtic needs to strengthen that area of the pitch.”
Martin O’Neill’s choices on the right flank
The real challenge for Yang is whether he can now maintain his spot amid increased competition. There are now numerous players capable of featuring on that right wing.
So far this campaign, Daizen Maeda, James Forrest, Luke McCowan, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, and Sebastian Tounekti have all been utilised in that position.
Players such as Maeda and Tounekti only appeared there because Celtic lacked alternatives at the time, but that situation has now improved.
Yang
Balikwisha
Forrest
McCowan
Adamu
Mvuka
Iheanacho