Former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady has hailed Yang Hyun-jun’s contribution so far this season.
The 24-year-old signed off in style before departing for the Games, which take place in Japan.
He netted the Hoops’ second goal to complete the turnaround against St Mirren on Saturday night. It was his second goal of the season, and arguably his best all-round performance.
McGeady, who knows what it takes to be a Celtic winger, believes Yang has been the best player in that position for the Hoops so far this campaign.
McGeady thought Yang was at risk of losing his place in the team given the summer transfer business. Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, he said:
“Listen, Yang was probably one at the start of the season that you thought if Martin was going to revert back to two up front when Hogh came in with Duran, that Yang might possibly lose his place.
“But Yang has probably been the best winger so far this season.
“I watched the Aberdeen game and I thought Yang was man of the match, aside from probably Duran. Again, Duran got man of the match on Saturday but I thought Yang was one of the best players on the pitch. He’s been very, very good this season.”
Asked who he would replace Yang with, McGeady said:
“It’s a hard one but if you’re looking at the bench, you are probably saying Forrest.”
The South Korean will miss important games for Celtic: St Johnstone away, Ibrox in the League Cup, Ferencváros in Europa League opener, and Rangers at home in the league.
Given his form and the lack of an obvious like-for-like replacement, it leaves Martin O’Neill with a big decision to make. Can Camilo Duran or Haissem Hassan be deployed on the left? Or is Sebastian Tounekti capable of stepping up?
Forrest may be given more minutes given his experience, but he wouldn’t be able to play every minute of the aforementioned fixtures.
McGeady is right to give Yang his praise; now Celtic must deal with a busy spell without his input.
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