It has been an interesting week for Celtic.
Celtic’s defeat to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their playoff encounter in the Champions League has been the main talking point.
A few interesting topics of discussion have come out of that match ahead of the return leg next week.
The brilliant news leading up to the game was the fact that Daizen Maeda was available to play, so it was music to everyone’s ears.
It meant that Celtic’s front three picked itself and Brendan Rodgers went with what everyone expected – Maeda, Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn.
It also meant that Hyunjun Yang’s role was reduced because, if Maeda was still banned, then Jota would have started and the South Korean star would have been first choice off the bench.
Instead, Jota came on for Idah just after the hour mark and Yang was introduced into the action for Kuhn after 77 minutes.
Hyunjun Yang impresses for Celtic against Bayern Munich in the Champions League
Kuhn’s incredible rise has been proof that if there is patience in their air, then these players will explode and become top players.
But many have been waiting for Yang to really showcase what he is about, despite it nearing two years since he moved to Glasgow.
Peter Grant feels that moment came against Bayern because, a man who people have been ‘very critical’ of, made a ‘big difference’, including assisting Maeda for his goal, as he told Go Radio.
“The biggest thing Celtic had a problem with in the first half was not being able to handle the ball well enough,” said Grant.
“I thought Dier was there for the taking. I must admit. I thought, playing on the left-hand side, a couple of times down that side of the pitch. I thought he was there for the taking and they just didn’t keep control of the ball well enough.
“The big difference, and you saw it when he came on, was when Yang come on, so Yang, all of a sudden, along with Johnston and Arne Engels, started creating a lot in there and in that space. I thought that was on most of the game, but we didn’t have enough of the ball to do that.
“The opposition were so quick and they were willing to go one-v-one. That’s the difference. Sometimes, you like to have that wee bit of safety net – when we started to do that really was when Yang came on.
“People have been very critical. He was the one running with the ball. Created a few chances in that period of the game.
Yang’s stats after cameo appearance for Celtic against Bayern
This is great to see from Yang and much deserved for a player who is growing, but still needs to go to the next level to really challenge the starting players.
But that performance against Bayern is a massive confidence booster for the kid.
Perhaps Yang will start Celtic’s clash against Dundee United on Saturday because those wide players need to read ahead of the Munich trip.
Yes, Yang won’t start the second leg, but perhaps Rodgers can bring him on earlier because he has earned it.
