Celtic Star Hyunjun Yang Signs Off With Winner as Martin O’Neill Admits ‘We Are Going to Miss Him’

Yang produced a clinical finish to complete Celtic’s comeback in a hard-fought 2-1 victory, securing a fifth successive Premiership win for O’Neill’s side.

The South Korean will now miss Celtic’s next four matches after joining up with his country for the Asian Games, leaving the Hoops without a player O’Neill believes is currently in excellent form.

The Celtic boss was delighted to see Yang leave on a high.

Yang gives Celtic perfect send-off

Celtic were far from their best in the opening 45 minutes and went into the interval behind after Nikolas Agrafiotis converted a penalty.

Liam Scales brought Celtic level with a second-half header before Yang produced the decisive moment to complete the turnaround.

For O’Neill, the timing of Yang’s goal could hardly have been better.

“We are going to miss him. He's in really fine form at the moment so we’re really disappointed,” O’Neill said.

“But he's signed off with a brilliant goal. He's in great form and he'll work for you going backwards. He doesn't mind doing that hard graft.”

Yang’s absence will therefore be felt at both ends of the pitch, with O’Neill particularly impressed by the winger’s willingness to contribute defensively.

Celtic forced to fight back

The result extended Celtic’s winning run, but O’Neill was under no illusion about how difficult the evening had been.

St Mirren gave Celtic significant problems, particularly during a first half in which the visitors struggled to impose themselves.

“St Mirren did not surprise me at all, not in the least,” O’Neill said.

“They were really up for it, they played very, very well indeed, caused us plenty of problems, and took the lead.”

O’Neill admitted Celtic were second best for a lengthy spell before producing a much-improved performance after the break.

“There was a 10 or 15 minute spell in the first half where I thought that we were well and truly second best,” he added.

“We came out with renewed energy, renewed determination in the second half, got the equalising goal, went on to win it. But it was a tough evening for us.”

Scales goes from villain to hero

Scales endured a particularly eventful night.

The defender conceded the penalty that allowed St Mirren to take the lead, but responded by scoring Celtic’s equaliser with a header after half-time.

Despite the mixed evening, O’Neill remains a huge admirer of the defender and believes his importance to Celtic should not be underestimated.

“I love Scales. I think he's great,” O’Neill said.

The Celtic boss pointed to the demands being placed on Scales, who has been asked to operate in different roles despite being naturally a centre-half.

“I think that last week he went and played left back. He's a centre-half and yet we're asking him almost to play like a wide left-hand side player at times,” O’Neill added.

“That he is not, but he has got a massive heart. He's been brilliant.”

O’Neill went as far as to say he had already told Scales how important he believes he is to the club.

“I don't know what the club would do without him,” he said.

St Mirren left frustrated

Despite surrendering their lead, St Mirren had opportunities to rescue a point after Yang put Celtic ahead.

The hosts created a number of late chances but could not find the equaliser, suffering their first league defeat of the season.

Manager Craig McLeish refused to criticise his players, instead highlighting the positives in their performance.

“The boys are in there quite disappointed and quite hurt that we've not picked up a point, or at least a point,” McLeish said.

“I thought there were so many good parts about our play as well.”

McLeish did acknowledge that Celtic benefited from St Mirren giving the ball away at important moments.

But he was encouraged by his players’ response after falling behind.

“Even when we go 2-1 down, we show so much bravery and personality to keep going and keep playing,” he said.

“We probably have our strongest spell of the game and create some really good chances. Probably unlucky not to take one of them.”

What happens next?

Celtic head into the next phase of the season on a five-match winning run, but Yang’s departure creates an immediate selection issue for O’Neill.

The winger leaves at the worst possible time from Celtic’s perspective, having just demonstrated his value by producing the decisive goal at St Mirren.

O’Neill will now have to find a way to replace Yang’s attacking contribution and defensive work rate during his month away.

For Yang, however, the timing could hardly be better: he leaves Celtic on a high, with another match-winning performance strengthening O’Neill’s belief that the Hoops will feel his absence.