Celtic star Yang Hyun-jun is now set to miss up to four games due to being selected for an extended period of international duty.
The September international break is not until the end of September, but Celtic have now learned they will be without the winger from the start of next month due to the Asian Games.
The South Korean FA have confirmed that Yang is one of the foreign-based players to have been selected, and the tournament will run from September 5 to October 3.
It encompasses some of the usual international break, but the early start means Yang will miss up to four games, assuming he would need to travel to Asia for the games before the September 2 game with Aberdeen, given the travel distance and the fact there would need to be some preparation for that first game.
Naturally, Celtic cannot stand in the way of the winger, not to suggest they would in any case. Yang has the chance to avoid his nation's mandatory military service by winning the competition.
Japan are likely the favourites for the competition, given how well they played at the World Cup, although the squad rules are a little different. But South Korea will feel they are also contenders.
Naturally, Yang will return earlier if South Korea don't win the tournament, but even if they reach the latter stages, it will not impact the number of games missed, with the international break starting after Celtic's September 20 clash with Rangers.
How can Celtic replace Yang?
The worrying part for Celtic is that the competition window includes the September 13 clash with Rangers in the league and the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final clash with Rangers on September 20.
Yang has been a starter so far this season, so it will feel like a significant blow for Martin O'Neill. Sebastian Tounekti, who has been playing well, can certainly deputise, while Haissem Hassan can fill in on the left. Celtic are also expecting Jota back in the near future, but he will not be ready by the start of September. The winger is not expected back until at least the end of September, if not a little later.
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