Yang Hyun-jun has been confirmed in South Korea's Asian Games squad and will depart for Japan after Celtic's midweek trip to St Johnstone, ruling him out of the next four fixtures. The in-form winger scored his second consecutive league goal in Saturday's comeback win over St Mirren.
Match news
Yang departs for Asian Games duty
Hyun-Jun Yang has been confirmed in South Korea's 23-player squad for the Asian Games in Japan (15 September – 3 October), departing after Wednesday's trip to St Johnstone. The winger will miss Celtic's next four fixtures: St Johnstone (9 September), Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final (13 September), Rangers in the league (20 September), and the Europa League opener against Ferencvaros (17 September). Manager Martin O'Neill said: "We are going to miss him. He's in really fine form at the moment." Yang, 24, is in contention to captain South Korea at the Games, which carries significance for military service exemption.
Source: Celtic FC
Tierney and Høgh recovery pace accelerates
Celtic have received a boost on injuries, with Kieran Tierney and Kasper Høgh both recovering faster than initially feared. Both players are expected to return to contention within the next 1–2 weeks, with a Saturday appearance ruled out but possible availability for next midweek or the fixture after that, should they clear training without setback. Manager O'Neill remains cautiously optimistic about both groin injuries.
Source: Celtic FC
St Johnstone trip on Wednesday night
Celtic travel to McDiarmid Park on Wednesday 9 September for a Premiership fixture against St Johnstone, kick-off 20:00 UK time live on Sky Sports Football. Matthew MacDermid has been appointed as referee. St Johnstone sit seventh in the table on seven points from their first six matches.
Source: SPFL
Club news
Yang in contention for South Korea captaincy
South Korea manager Lee Min-sung is considering handing the captain's armband to Yang Hyun-jun for the Asian Games in Japan. Yang has been named as one of South Korea's three permitted overage players for the tournament.
Source: Korea Football Association
From the fan channels
Yang's departure timing frustration
Celtic Quick News noted the bittersweet timing of Yang's Asian Games call-up, with the winger in exceptional form after scoring for the second consecutive league match. Supporters expressed genuine happiness for Yang's international honour and the military service exemption opportunity if South Korea win gold, but tempered it with frustration at losing him during the crucial midweek fixtures and the Rangers quarter-final.
Source: Celtic Quick News
Tierney and Høgh return optimism
67 Hail Hail focused on the positive injury trajectory for both Tierney and Høgh, with supporters cautiously optimistic that earlier fears of lengthy absences have been eased. The fan channel highlighted how the manager's measured tone on both players suggested they are tracking well, with comments expressing relief that the groin injuries do not appear to be serious long-term problems.
Source: 67 Hail Hail
Next up
St Johnstone v Celtic — Premiership — Wednesday 9 September at 20:00 — away — live on Sky Sports Football
Rangers v Celtic — Premier Sports Cup — Sunday 13 September at 12:00 — away — live on Premier Sports
Celtic v Ferencvaros — Europa League — Thursday 17 September at 20:00 — home
Celtic v Rangers — Premiership — Sunday 20 September at 12:00 — home
Who's out
Kieran Tierney — Groin — Doubt — Recovering well, expected back within 1–2 weeks. Very unlikely for St Johnstone (9 Sep)
Kasper Høgh — Groin — Doubt — Recovering well, expected back within 1–2 weeks. Very unlikely for St Johnstone (9 Sep)
Hyun-Jun Yang — Asian Games duty — Out — Departed for South Korea squad, will miss next four fixtures (9 Sep – 17 Sep)
Callum Osmand — Ankle — Out — Expected out for several weeks
Landon Emenalo — Training injury — Out — Not yet fit to debut
Alistair Johnston — Hamstring — Out — Long-term absence
Jota — Cruciate ligament — Out — Long-term absence