YANG HYUN-JUN started the new year with a bang when he went on a breathtaking solo run before walloping Celtic into the lead in the derby at Parkhead on January 3.
Unfortunately, the champions, with Wilfried Nancy in charge for the eighth and final time, fell apart after the interval and gifted Danny Rohl’s side three precious points.
Martin O’Neill returned and it was Yang who got the ball rolling at the kick-off to the Irishman’s second interim spell with the opening goal in the 4-0 victory over Dundee United at the same venue a week later.
IT TAKES TWO…Yang Hyun-jun is congratulated by Daizen Maeda after his second goal to seal Celtic’s 3-1 win over Motherwell at Parkhead.
The South Korean has continued the good work and emphasised his worth to the team yet again with his two-goal salvo against Motherwell in the east end of Glasgow yesterday.
In between Yang’s two excellent strikes, Tomas Cvancara chipped in a penalty-kick as the champions came back from a goal deficit to win 3-1 over the Fir Park club to move within two points of Hearts at the Premiership summit.
Following the Edinburgh club’s 1-0 loss to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park later in the evening, that’s how the table looks with eight games to play.
O’Neill was full of praise for his all-action winger and said: “He was sensational.
“Sensational in every aspect of the game going forward, the goals he scored, the energy he showed, the willingness to work back.
“It was monumental performance from him.”
WALLOP…Yang Hyun-jun crashes a left-foot drive past Well keeper Calum Ward for the points-clincher at Parkhead.
O’Neill, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “Not far behind him was Daizen Maeda and I thought he was really great, trying to play centre-forward and then out on the wing.
“I think those two lads epitomise the spirit of the team because they gave absolutely everything.
“Yang is on a bit of a high – and quite rightly so.”
The champions can now take a breather until they prepare for the encounter with Dundee United at Tannadice a week today.
LOOKING FOR A PERFECT GIFT FOR ST.PATRICK’S DAY? Celtic Confidential is the stunning new book that brings the exclusive inside stories behind the headlines. Alex Gordon’s sixteenth Celtic book is available NOW. Order a copy and get £5 OFF the cover price of £25. All is revealed in a sensational new publication. Just click SHOP HERE and your book will be on its way. Happy St Patrick’s Day!
