Celtic’s 2–0 win over Falkirk on Sunday afternoon delivered the points and kept the league moving, but one moment early in the second half stood out. Hyun-jun Yang was taken off minutes after the restart, which caused concern in the stands and raised quick questions about his fitness.
Yang started on the right and showed good intent in the first half. He drew fouls, drove at defenders, and tried to stretch Falkirk’s back line. His impact dipped as the half went on, but there was no clear sign of injury. When James Forrest came on for him just minutes into the second half, the change felt sudden.
With fixtures coming thick and fast and Celtic already watching minutes across the squad, any early substitution draws attention. Wide players have been covering a lot of ground in recent weeks, often without much rest. Yang has been a massive part of that, and Sunday was another game where energy levels mattered just as much as sharpness.
After the match, Martin O’Neill spoke honestly about the situation. His update eased fears of muscle trouble or anything that would rule Yang out. Instead, he explained the change as one based on fatigue rather than injury, linked to information that came through late.
He said: (Celtic FC YouTube), “I’m hoping he is. He was really tired.
“I must admit, but I didn’t realise until I heard just after the break, I had a side message to say he wasn’t really feeling well at the end of the first half.
“Thankfully, it’s not muscles or anything like that there. It was just lack of energy. So we might have made the substitution at half-time if I had known.
“But anyway, it doesn’t matter. Hopefully he’ll be alright, rest him up and be ready to go again, I hope.”
Yang’s game depends on quick bursts and confidence when taking players on. When the legs go, that sharpness fades with it. Keeping him on could have led to a flat second half or pushed him closer to a proper problem.
The change also let Forrest bring calm. Celtic were ahead, Falkirk were still testing them, and control mattered more than speed. Forrest helped slow things down, keep the ball, and see the game through without any late issues.
For Yang, the focus is now rest rather than treatment. He needs recovery, not rehab. With no muscle issue flagged, there is no sign he will miss time. That will be a relief for a player still working to find rhythm in a crowded wide area.
O’Neill’s update was steady and clear. It matches how Celtic are handling players at the moment, with care shaped by what lies ahead.
Focus now shifts to Wednesday vs Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Celtic will need fresh legs again. If Yang is rested and ready, he stays in contention to start.
