Celtic are facing a growing list of fitness concerns during the current international break after another of their attacking stars confirmed he is carrying an injury while on national team duty.
South Korea winger Yang Hyun-jun has revealed a minor hamstring problem that forced him to miss his country’s Asian Games quarter-final victory over Vietnam.
The update arrives at a delicate moment for the Scottish champions, who are already monitoring the situation surrounding summer signing Haissem Hassan.
Yang Speaks Out on Hamstring Issue
Yang has been away with the South Korea under-23 squad for several weeks as one of the three over-age wildcards selected for the Asian Games in Japan.
The 24-year-old featured during the group stages but was absent for the 4-0 win against Vietnam.
Speaking afterwards, he admitted the setback has left him frustrated.
“I have a minor injury to my hamstring,” Yang said. “Right now, I am preparing with the goal of reaching the semi-finals and the finals.”
He added that he had not been in peak physical condition recently and felt he was letting his teammates down.
“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.”
Support Role from the Bench
Yang explained that he has tried to contribute in other ways while recovering.
“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.”
South Korea have dominated the football tournament at the Asian Games in recent editions, and Yang is determined to play a part in the latter stages if possible.
The semi-finals are scheduled for Wednesday, giving him a short window to prove his fitness.
Hassan Situation Adds to Parkhead Worries
Yang’s admission comes against the backdrop of ongoing concern over Haissem Hassan.
The Egypt international was reported to be receiving intensive treatment after picking up an issue that initially ruled him out of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Egypt boss Hossam Hassan had stated that the Celtic winger would not feature in the current camp and emphasised the priority of full recovery.
Yet Hassan then started the 0-0 draw against Angola and played just over an hour before being substituted.
The mixed signals have left Celtic supporters and the club’s medical staff keen to assess the exact nature of the problem once he returns to Glasgow.
Recent Context for Both Players
Hassan arrived from Real Oviedo in the summer for a fee that could rise to £9 million and has made nine appearances so far.
He was not heavily involved in the recent Old Firm fixtures, which added to the sense that something was not quite right even before the international window.
Yang, by contrast, had been in strong form prior to his departure for the Asian Games.
He scored in consecutive matches, including the winner against St Mirren, before heading to Japan.
His absence has been felt across a difficult stretch of fixtures for Martin O’Neill’s side.
Celtic’s Difficult Recent Run
Celtic remain top of the Scottish Premiership with 18 points from seven matches, six of them victories.
However, the last three outings produced three defeats in the space of eight days.
A 3-0 loss to Rangers in the League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox was followed by a 1-3 home reverse against Ferencvaros in the Europa League.
The sequence ended with another Old Firm defeat, this time 0-1 at Celtic Park in the league, as Ryan Naderi’s first-half goal proved decisive.
The results cut Celtic’s lead over Rangers to just two points and ended a lengthy winning run in the Premiership.
Tactical Impact of Missing Wingers
Both Yang and Hassan operate primarily on the flanks, where Celtic have relied on pace, directness and the ability to stretch opposition defences.
Without them available, O’Neill has been forced to reshuffle his attacking options and rely more heavily on central combinations or alternative wide players.
The lack of width was noticeable in the recent derby losses, where Rangers were able to contain Celtic’s threats and hit on the counter.
In the Europa League match against Ferencvaros, similar issues appeared as the Hungarian side exploited space in behind the full-backs.
A quick recovery for either player would give the manager greater flexibility when competitive action resumes.
League Position and Upcoming Schedule
Despite the recent setbacks, Celtic still sit two points clear of Rangers at the summit after seven games.
Hearts occupy third place on 13 points, while the chasing pack remains some distance behind.
The international break lasts until early October, with Celtic scheduled to return to Premiership action away to Motherwell on 11 October.
That fixture will be followed by a significant Europa League trip to Benfica and a home clash with Hearts.
Any prolonged absence for Yang or Hassan would test the depth of the squad at a time when consistency is vital.
Fan Reaction and Broader Concerns
Supporters have expressed frustration online at the accumulation of injury news during a period when the team is already under pressure.
Many pointed to the timing of Yang’s call-up for the Asian Games, which has already kept him away from club duty for a significant portion of the early season.
Others focused on the Hassan situation, questioning how an injury requiring intensive treatment could still allow him to start an international match.
There is a clear desire among the fanbase for clear medical updates once both players return to Lennoxtown.
The three-week window does at least provide time for recovery and assessment before the next domestic test.
What the Injuries Mean for O’Neill
Martin O’Neill has spoken of the need for reflection after the recent run of results.
The manager has already delivered major silverware in previous spells at the club and was confirmed in the role on a permanent basis earlier this year following last season’s dramatic title success.
Squad management during international periods is always challenging, particularly when key attackers are involved with national teams across different continents.
Yang’s presence at the Asian Games offers the potential of a gold medal that could exempt him from future military service obligations in South Korea, which would be a long-term positive for Celtic.
In the short term, however, the priority remains ensuring both he and Hassan are available and fully fit as soon as possible.
Looking Ahead
Celtic’s medical department will conduct thorough assessments on the pair upon their return.
Yang has framed his target as a rapid recovery in time for the later stages of the Asian Games, while Hassan’s situation remains less clear despite his appearance against Angola.
The club will hope that neither issue develops into a longer-term problem.
With the title defence still very much alive and European fixtures on the horizon, the availability of creative wide players could prove decisive in the weeks ahead.
For now, the focus remains on careful management and ensuring the squad returns from the international break in the best possible condition.
Celtic supporters will be watching developments closely as the break continues, hoping that the latest injury updates mark the end rather than the beginning of further disruption.