Oh Hyeon-gyu eyes Genk title win and Champions League reunion with Celtic

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·1 April 2025

Oh Hyeon-gyu eyes Genk title win and Champions League reunion with Celtic

Genk seem to be getting more out of Oh Hyeon-gyu than Celtic managed under both Ange Postecoglou and then Brendan Rodgers…

Celtic v Dundee United – Scottish Premiership – Celtic Park Celtic’s Oh Hyeon-Gyu during the match at Celtic Park on Saturday September 16, 2023. Photo Andrew Milligan

With Kyogo the main man at Celtic during the Korean striker’s time in Glasgow it was always going to be a challenge forcing his way into the Celtic side. Giorgios Giakoumakis had a similar dilemma before he headed to the MLS and onwards to Mexico.

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Oh made 52 appearances for Celtic and scored 12 goals

Oh did manage 52 appearances for Celtic with 41 of those coming off the bench. In his extremely limited time on the park he scored a respectable enough 12 goals but when Brendan Rodgers brought Adam Idah in from Norwich at the end of the January 2024 transfer window that was very much that for Oh who realised that he’d have to move on.

Celtic v Aberdeen – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park Celtic s Oh Hyeon-gyu celebrates with the trophy after the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Photo Saturday May 27, 2023. Photo Andrew Milligan

Life is good for Oh in Belgium as Genk top the table and eye that lucrative Champions League spot. Oh’s contribution to the title push has come with another dozen goals with the hope that there’s more to come before the campaign is done and hopefully the Pro League title is won.

Oh eyes Celtic re-union in Champions League

And that would open up the possibility for a Champions League match against Celtic, something that the 23 year-old Korean would love.

“It is great confidence to score double-digit points in Europe. Honestly, I don’t think I got many opportunities [at Celtic]. It seems that what I have always done sincerely in any situation has led to good results,” Oh said as reported by Daily Record.

Celtic v Livingston – Scottish Premiership – Celtic Park. Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi left is substituted off for team-mate Hyeon-Gyu Oh during the match at Celtic Park on Wednesday February 1, 2023. Photo Andrew Milligan

“We are in the lead. If you win the league, you can play in the Champions League next season. I experienced the Champions League when I was at Celtic. However, I didn’t get many opportunities. If I go to the Champions League next season, I want to see Celtic.

“Not that I did well when I was at Celtic. I want to show Celtic ‘I’ve grown this much’. Especially at Celtic Park, Celtic’s home stadium, I want to prove my ability. That’s the biggest motivation for me.”

While Oh has moved on Celtic has a Korean influence still with the emergence of Yang as a regular contributor for the Celtic first team under Brendan Rodgers. Yang is delighted for his fellow countryman and former flat-mate as he understands how difficult it has been to come from Korea to Glasgow and play for an enormous club like Celtic.

Yang leads the celebrations. St Mirren v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Saturday 1st March 2025. Photo: Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“I’m proud. I lived with (Yang) Hyun-joon at Celtic. I know how hard it has been. It won’t be easy. However, he overcame all this and showed competitiveness. I’m very proud. I really want to say to Hyunjun, ‘You’re doing a good job.'”

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