Celtic star reveals hamstring injury concern on international duty as he sets 'goal' for return
Hoops have struggled without their winger
Celtic winger Yang Hyun-jun has suffered a minor hamstring injury on Asian Games duty with South Korea - but is hoping to return for the latter stages of the tournament.
The 24-year old has been a big miss for manager Martin O’Neill, particularly in their last three matches which ended in defeat. However, in the bigger picture, his short-term absence now may be worth it, if it means he can surpass South Korea’s 18-month national service by obtaining a winner’s medal.
South Korea have won the last three editions of the tournament and despite not being at their best in the current edition, they’ve comfortably sailed through to the semi finals. Yang featured in the group stage for his country but was left out injured for their most recent 4-0 quarter-final victory over Vietnam.
Yang picks up injury on international duty
Speaking at the tournament in Japan, the Hoops winger expressed is frustrations about the injury while also setting a target to return for the semi-final, which will be against either China or Thailand. He said: "I have a minor injury to my hamstring. Right now, I am preparing with the goal of reaching the semifinals and the finals.
"I was selected as a wild card, but since I haven't been in good physical condition recently and now I'm on top of that with an injury, I feel really sorry for my teammates. I also feel like I'm not being of any help. So I tried to be of even a little more help from the bench. I also check on their daily lives to see if they are experiencing any inconveniences, and I try to do whatever they need. The goal is a quick recovery."
The winger has always been a player O’Neill has admired as he’s given him a chance in several big matches. In Yang’s absence, the Hoops boss has struggled to find a balance between the flanks. Out of form Sebastian Tounekti hasn’t been able to step up to the plate, while striker Camilo Duran has often played out of position on the right.
O’Neill knew Yang would be a big miss
The Korean speedster scored the winner in a 2-1 victory away to St Mirren on his last Hoops appearance. At that point, the Hoops were five points clear and cruising domestically. In a few weeks time, he will enter a very different environment. Before he left for the Asian Games, O’Neill praised his recent performances and foreseen he’d be a big loss to the squad.
After the win in Paisley on September 5, O’Neill said: “We are going to miss him. He's in really fine form at the moment. Really disappointed. I hope they get beaten quickly! No, I don't. I don't. Please, scrub that! He’ll read this and he'll be really disappointed. But no, because if they do, if they don't win the tournament, then he has to do national service. So I hope they do win it. But yeah, he's signed off. Brilliant goal. He’s in great form and he'll work for you going backwards. He doesn't mind doing that hard graft.”
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