Celtic pre-match routine drops major hint with surprise role for Yang | OneFootball

Wilfried Nancy named his Celtic team for this afternoon’s game against Hearts. The Frenchman assumed control during the week after the win over Dundee and promised to make slight tweaks rather than wholesale changes.

When the team was announced, there was no recognised right back in the squad and three defenders, resulting in the expectation that the manager had gone for his preferred shape from his Columbus Crew days.

Usually, Gavin Strachan takes the defenders across to work on some defensive shaping, headers and their first touch. While everyone assumed that the manager had gone for a 3-4-3, the pre-match routine appeared to highlight that a surprise player would be joining the backline.

With a number of midfielders in the squad, there has been a suggestion that Arne Engels or Reo Hatate could drop into the right back slot. However, as Strachan pulled away it set up the drill with recognised defenders Auston Trusty, Liam Scales and Kieran Tierney; they were joined by South Korean winger Yang.

It appears that the quick winger will find himself operating in at right back or right wingback for Nancy this afternoon. It will require awareness that sometimes has been lacking in terms of defensive duties but hopefully he will be kept right by Trusty & Co.