Many Celtic supporters were surprised to see Yang included in the starting lineup for Celtic’s showdown against Lazio on Wednesday evening. Luis Palma was expected to get the nod off the back of his goal versus Motherwell, but that wasn’t the case.
The South Korean winger played out on the left and although he looked to run at his man and try to make things happen, the final ball just wasn’t there. It was a frustrating night for the 21-year-old, but after the match, Hoops manager Brendan Rodgers revealed why he started Yang.
It wasn’t a case of the former Gangwon FC man being on better form, but rather the attributes he brought to the team and his fitness levels. When asked why Yang started, Rodgers said (Glasgow Times): “A bit more physicality. I thought Luis did well when he came into the game. He is still getting up to speed with the intensity and the tempo of it all. So that was the reason for the decision.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers applauds the fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
As the weeks go on and Palma gets up to full sharpness, one imagines he will gain increased opportunities. From Yang’s point of view, though, he will be disappointed he hasn’t had a notable impact of late.
The young winger has started each of the Scottish champions’ last two games but has failed to capture the imagination. He does have potential, however, and he is still at an extremely tender age and settling into a new culture and lifestyle. Yang will only improve throughout his Celtic career, but his start in Glasgow hasn’t been the greatest.
A young man coming from a diferent country and diferent culture Rodgers was right yang helped taylor backtracking bhoy was always mobile off the ball closing down spaces three forwards were closing down not allowing defenders to play easy balls from the back its a hard shift seems a lost cause with lazio passing the ball about at the back but stop them going forward yang donevthat a few misplaced passes not the only one he is playing on the left is he not a right winger we need players like him team is begining to understand Rodgers set up taylor has to believe hes has the right to play at this level yes his height causes some problems Rodgers puts jonstone as furst man on corners where ange put taylor im sure a its believe in himself hopefully Rodgers knows that he now Rodgers has reverted to ange way with Taylor give him more option in passing haita a few hus passes let him down but keeps trying yes our final ball is not reaching its target our goal shows us we can do it Oriley bass was perfect goal of the night