Former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu couldn’t hide his emotions after netting the decisive goal in Genk’s 1-0 victory at Ibrox.
Oh had earlier seen a penalty saved by Jack Butland, but he made no mistake later on, burying his chance and celebrating wildly in front of the home crowd. The moment was a release of emotion for the forward, who admitted the significance of scoring in Glasgow again as an ex-Celtic man.
The 24-year-old has endured a difficult few months following a collapsed transfer to Stuttgart, which cast doubts over his fitness and left him in limbo. His comments after the game showed just how much this goal meant to him both personally and professionally.
Speaking after the final whistle, Oh admitted the strike was about more than just football. It was a release from recent struggles and a special moment made even sweeter by the location and opposition.
He said: (TCW), “I could have cried after scoring that goal.
“After my goal, everything came out. I was so emotional. The whole Stuttgart thing was still there somewhere.
“And it was very special for me to score at Ibrox as an ex-Celtic player.
“I’ll pay the fine for getting booked, whether it’s £1,000, £2,000 or £4,000, I don’t care!
“The first half was tough for me. But I was convinced I would still score.
“I had no doubts before I took the penalty. I was convinced I would still score. I have to believe in myself. It’s my job. I’m the striker.
“I don’t deny the whole situation with Stuttgart was very difficult for me and I am so pleased to have scored my first goal of the season.
“Very quickly, even before I had to take my medical tests at Stuttgart, I heard from my agent that money was suddenly being discussed again.
“Of course, there’s nothing physically wrong with me. I was 16 when I last had a knee problem. I haven’t had any problems since.
“I’m glad the outside world quickly found out what was going on. Nevertheless, I had a tough time during that period. It was a huge blow, not just for me, but also for my family.”
Oh’s comments will connect with Celtic fans, who remember the effort and commitment he gave during his time at the club. Admitting that scoring at Ibrox meant more to him as a former Celtic player shows how deep the rivalry still runs.
Bringing up the failed Stuttgart move showed the tough spell he’s come through, with his goal in Govan a perfect answer to those recent setbacks. For Oh, it wasn’t only about putting the ball in the net, but proving his character.
The way he spoke also showed the pressure of being a striker. Missing a penalty could have knocked his confidence, but he kept his belief and got his reward with the winner.
For Celtic supporters, seeing a former player sink Rangers on their own pitch is a moment to enjoy, and Oh’s raw words make it clear just how much that goal meant to him.
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