Celtic defender Kieran Tierney did not hold back when it came to Yang Hyun-jun following their comeback win over Motherwell.
Martin O’Neill’s side were a goal down after half an hour and looked flat for spells, but they found a way through. The gap to Hearts is now down to two points with the split closing in.
Last summer, he was close to the exit.
Permission granted to travel to Birmingham City, bags half-packed, only for the move to collapse late. Celtic kept him, and at the time, it felt like a loose end rather than a turning point. Now it looks different.
Tierney was quick to highlight that shift and the level Yang has found this season. He said (TCW):
“He’s been brilliant. I think this season, the consistency that he’s shown, the amount of games that he’s played, and the effort that he puts in is unbelievable.
“I think if you go and you look at the numbers side of things, and see what he’s producing every week, it’s unbelievable. He got his reward and I’m buzzing for him.”
There has been a clear change in him.
Last season, Yang drifted in and out, never quite trusted, never quite imposing himself. This year he looks sharper, more direct, and far more willing to take responsibility in big moments.
Even during the more disjointed spells earlier in the campaign, he was one of the few attacking players offering any sort of threat.
That has carried into the run-in.
Celtic needed a spark against Motherwell and he provided it. Not just the goals, but the energy and intent when others were struggling to find rhythm.
It leaves an interesting question as the end-of-season awards approach.
A few months ago, that would have sounded fanciful. Now it feels earned.
