What's happened
Celtic have claimed a fifth straight Premiership win after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over St Mirren. Yang Hyun-jun scores the winner, while Liam Scales also contributes, before Yang heads to join South Korea for the Asian Games. Celtic extend their early-season lead.
What's behind the headline?
The pivotal point
- Celtic have started the season strongly, showing depth with six new signings and a squad capable of maintaining pressure even when key players depart for international duty.
- Yang’s form lifts Celtic’s attack, but his absence for the Asian Games could test their depth in the short term.
What this signals for Celtic
- The team is building a core of players who can cover multiple roles, which could help them sustain a treble bid if other signings gel quickly.
- The tactical flexibility on display, with Scales stepping up in defence and Duran providing width, suggests the squad is adapting to the new style under O’Neill.
How we got here
Yang Hyun-jun has become a pivotal figure for Celtic, scoring in this week’s league win and in the cup, before heading off with South Korea to the Asian Games. Manager Martin O’Neill has praised the squad’s depth as they prepare for a busy schedule surrounding international duties.
Our analysis
BBC Sport reports Yang Hyun-jun’s winner against St Mirren and his imminent departure for the Asian Games; The Scotsman covers the same match with emphasis on O’Neill’s comments and the team’s five-point lead. Both note the impact of new signings and the evolving squad dynamics.
Go deeper
- Will Celtic cope without Yang during the Asian Games?
- Which players step up to fill Yang’s role?
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St Mirren F.C. - Football club
St Mirren Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire, founded in 1877. They play in the Scottish Premiership after winning the 2017–18 Scottish Championship.
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Liam Scales - Footballer
Liam Scales is an Irish professional footballer who plays for Celtic, as a defender.
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The Celtic Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Glasgow, which plays in the Scottish Premiership. The club was founded in 1887 with the purpose of alleviating poverty in the immigrant Irish population in the East End of Glasgow.
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Yang Hyun-jun - South Korean footballer
Yang Hyun-jun (Korean: 양현준; born 25 May 2002) is a South Korean footballer who plays for Scottish Premiership club Celtic.