Celtic Winger Set To Miss Both Old Firm Derbies: Setback For The Hoops? | OneFootball

Celtic are set to lose Hyun-jun Yang for a painful run of matches in September, with the South Korean winger confirmed to join his national squad for the Asian Games from the 6th of that month. According to a report relayed by The Celtic Way, Yang’s international commitments will rule him out of both Old Firm derbies against Rangers, Celtic’s opening Champions League or Europa League group stage fixture, and a rescheduled Scottish Premiership match against St Johnstone. That’s four matches gone in one brutal window, and Celtic’s planning takes a significant hit because of it.

Is Yang’s absence a major blow for Celtic?

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 03: Hyunjun Yang of Celtic controls the ball during the William Hill Premiership 2026/27 match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on August 03, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Brutal timing. That’s the only real way to describe this. Yang has spent three seasons growing into one of Celtic’s most decisive attacking weapons, and the 2025/26 campaign represented the clearest evidence yet of just how far he’s come.

Eight Premiership goals and two assists across 31 matches, with another goal added in seven Europa League appearances. These aren’t the numbers of a rotational option anymore. He’s a starter, contracted until 2030, and Martin O’Neill’s system is built partly around what he provides on the right flank.

Celtic‘s biggest matches in early September will come without him. Both derby fixtures against Rangers carry enormous title-race importance, and Yang has already proved himself capable of delivering in those exact moments.

He opened the scoring against Rangers in January and scored again in the decisive 3-1 win in May. Replacing that specific quality isn’t straightforward. Yang ranked first in the Premiership for Celtic in winning penalties, and his 79.83% pass completion rate reflects how controlled his game has become.

The sub-£4 million pursuit of Hajduk Split’s Niko Sigur gives Celtic a legitimate solution if the deal gets completed before the transfer deadline. Sigur can operate across the right flank and midfield, which provides O’Neill genuine tactical flexibility. The paperwork needs finishing fast.