Celtic player to miss international duty for title run-in

As Celtic get ready for the title run-in over the next couple of months, there are hard decisions in need of being taken. The focus is clearly on having the best players fit and available for the important games coming up. That has rarely been the case so far this season, but with many returning from injury problems, things might be looking up on that front.

Rodgers' choices were also limited earlier this year by having to release four players, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, Yang Hyun-jun and Oh Hyeon-gyu for the AFC Asian Cup. The impact could have been even greater had Japan called up Kyogo Furuhashi. 

It looks as though a firmer stance to protect the squad strength is set to be taken. The South Korea U23 side look ahead to upcoming qualifying matches for the 2024 Olympics.

Yang is in contention for a place at the tournament. But if called up for the qualifiers, he could miss up to four Celtic games before the end of the season. 

Celtic player to miss international duty for title run-in

That’s where Celtic appear to be taking a firm stance. As reported by The Scottish Sun, Yang is set to miss South Korea’s Olympic qualification bid next month. The Asian qualifying tournament does not fall under FIFA’s international calendar. So, Celtic are under no obligation to release him.

As far as the qualifiers are concerned, South Korean boss Hwang Sun-hong already seems to be looking at alternative options. Let's see how things play out.

Yang was starting to find some good form in matches before his controversial red card against Hearts and two-match suspension afterwards. Rodgers will want to have him as an option on the flanks alongside Maeda, James Forrest, Nicolas Kuhn, Luis Palma and perhaps even Rocca Vata in his squad for selection.