Shaun Maloney praises Celtic winger Yang | OneFootball

It’s no secret that Celtic have been in the hunt for a quality winger this summer, and with the imminent signing of Haissem Hassan, that problem seems to have been resolved…

One player who is currently at the club is also seen as a key asset in the eyes of the coaching staff, and that’s South Korean international Yang.

9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Scottish Premiership, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Celtic assistant manager Shaun Maloney. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Assistant manager Shaun Maloney, talking about Yang, was high in praise for the 24 year old, who only a year ago was seen as surplus to requirements at the club. Indeed he was close to joining English Championship side Birmingham City, only for the deal to fall through at the twelfth hour due to Celtic’s own failings at board level in the summer 2025 transfer window.

9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Scottish Premiership, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Hyunjun Yang of Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

When Martin O’Neill took temporary charge last October in the aftermath of Brendan Rodgers’ resignation, the veteran Irishman’s input seemed to give the South Korean forward a new lease of life, and he responded by putting in some impressive performances, which led to him signing a new improved deal towards the end of last season.

And whilst the imminent signing of Hassan will be seen as a major coup, Maloney believes that Yang still has a big part to play, on both the right and left flanks.

“Yang kind of just took that right-wing position by the scruff of the neck last year,” Maloney admitted, as reported by Glasgow Times.

“Really, Yang went to another level. I think he’s always been that sort of quite good player, impact player at the club. But last year, he went, ‘I want to be an important player’.

9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Scottish Premiership, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Hyunjun Yang of Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“But we need a left-sided player there too because you can attack differently. So, we need to strengthen that side of the attack.”

Maloney continued: “We came in in October. I remember speaking to him in that first couple of days. We trained some really basic things, but he just showed some really good one-on-one talent off the left.

“Honestly, it was just him. He started to come on as a sub for Martin, had a really good impact. And then he was off and running.

“He earned the manager’s trust. He’s got an unbelievable work rate. In the first half against Dundee, he wasn’t particularly good attacking. He was brilliant without the ball.

9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Scottish Premiership, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Hyunjun Yang of Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“So, he just earned the trust of the manager and us as staff. And then maybe a little bit of confidence as well. I really like him as a player when he’s at his best. And then he just goes. He’s taken it. It’s got nothing to do with us. It’s all him.

Maloney also praised the work rate of the South Korean, and stated that Yang is trying his best to replicate the work rate of the Japanese World Cup star, Daizen Maeda, the former Celtic talisman, set to light up the Premier League and keep Ipswich Town in the top flight in the new season.

“He’s a really big player. And he’s so good for the team. I think his teammates love him for the work rate. I completely see a difference in where he is now with his teammates. The staff and also the support. The support really recognises how hard he works. He is an incredible worker,” the assistant Celtic manager observed.

“Daizen was about as good an attacking player as I’ve seen without the ball. Yang is trying desperately to get to those levels.

9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Scottish Premiership, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Hyunjun Yang of Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“He’s really, really popular with his teammates. I would say that that just comes with hard work. Because not every winger has an amazing game, attacking-wise. But if you can give a side of the game to your teammates, then you’ll find yourself in the team in big games.”

It’s clear that Yang is benefiting from Martin O’Neill’s emphasis on wingers, and he also has a former winger in Maloney helping him to improve his overall game.

“Martin is really aggressive in that he wants wingers to take on their opponent when we create a one on one,” explained Maloney. “He gives the wingers the confidence that they can do that and that they shouldn’t worry about losing it.

Hyunjan Yang of Celtic reacts at full time Celtic v Heart of Midlothian, Scottish Premiership, match at Celtic Park on 16 May 2026. Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO/Shutterstock

“You aren’t going to beat a full-back in a one v one every time. What those players need is the support and confidence from the manager that makes them go and try again the next time. If they lose it again, you have to go again.

3rd August 2026 Celtic Park, Scottish Premiership, Celtic versus Dundee Celtic Manager Martin O Neill arrives for the match. Photo David Young Action Plus/IMAGO

“Martin has always been that way. I remember when I was young he was the same. He has always urged wingers to go for a one v one. We have some work to do with other wingers, who are talented but maybe need to add goals and assists. But Martin is great in encouraging the one v ones.”

It’s clear that the South Korean is highly regarded by the Celtic coaching staff and is going to playa major part in Celtic’s season under Martin O’Neill, Shaun Maloney and the rest of the Celtic coaching staff.

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