Celtic Handed Major Injury Boost as Key Star Closes in on Return

Celtic handed major Yang Hyun-jun injury return boost

Celtic have been handed encouraging news on Yang Hyun-jun, with the winger reportedly closing in on a return to action for South Korea at the Asian Games.

The 24-year-old has been working his way back from a minor hamstring problem and could be available when South Korea face China in Wednesday’s semi-final in Osaka.

According to reports from South Korea, Yang has increased his training workload and is now believed to have a realistic chance of featuring in the last-four clash.

Yang has not played since South Korea’s opening match of the tournament, when they recorded a 4-1 victory over Qatar on September 15.

He then missed the wins over Saudi Arabia and Vietnam as he continued his recovery.

The Celtic winger previously confirmed that the problem was around his hamstring and revealed that he was targeting a return during the latter stages of the tournament.

“I have a minor injury around the hamstring. Right now, I’m preparing with the semi-final and final as my targets,” Yang said.

The latest update suggests that plan is progressing well.

There has not yet been a separate medical announcement confirming that Yang has been fully cleared, but his increased workload is understood to have given South Korea confidence that he could play against China.

There has also been little need for the national team to rush him back, with South Korea comfortably progressing through the tournament.

Yang has remained around the squad throughout his recovery and has continued to speak about his desire to contribute after being selected as one of South Korea’s over-age players.

Why the Asian Games matter to Yang

South Korea are attempting to secure a fourth consecutive Asian Games football gold medal, having won the previous three tournaments in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

There is also an important personal incentive for Yang.

Winning gold would allow him to avoid the longer period of mandatory military service that would otherwise remain a consideration during his career in South Korea.

From Celtic’s perspective, the latest update is therefore positive, provided Yang can return without aggravating the hamstring issue.

The injury has consistently been described as minor, and his gradual increase in workload suggests that his recovery is moving in the right direction.

Should Yang feature against China, it would be his first appearance in 15 days and would come with South Korea just one victory away from reaching the gold-medal match on October 3.

For Celtic, having their winger back involved competitively before the end of the tournament would provide another welcome boost after his recent absence.