YANG HYUN-JUN will return to Celtic with a gold medal following South Korea’s 1-0 victory over Japan in the Asian Games Final today.
The Hoops winger celebrated his nation’s fourth successive triumph in the competition and the third time in a row they had overcome the same opponents in the showpiece occasion.
However, Yang was forced to watch from the sidelines after sustaining a hamstring strain in the quarter-finals against Vietnam. He was also an unused sub in the team’s last-four win over China.
Martin O’Neill will be hoping the in-form flanker is fit in time for the champions’ game against Motherwell at Fir Park a week tomorrow when the Premiership restarts after the extended international break.
HEAVENS ABOVE…Yang Hyun-jun celebrates scoring in Celtic’s 3-0 victory over Aberdeen at Parkhead last month – and the winger enjoyed success again with South Korea today.
Yang missed the team’s last four games after receiving the call-up as an over-age player to South Korea’s Under 23 squad for the tournament.
He signed off with the winning goal against St Mirren in Paisley on September 5 and wasn’t available for the 1-0 victory over St Johnstone in Perth and the horror hat-trick of defeats from Ferencvaros in the Europa League which was book-ended by losses against Derek McInnes’ Ibrox outfit.
The trophy success means Yang will not be required to do military service as the government rewards Asian Games champions and Olympic medallists with exemption.
The only goal of the game came from Swansea winger Eom Jisung in the 61st minute in the Tokyo Stadium.
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