‘Sensational’ Yang shows impact as Celtic keep believing

If Celtic manage to come through what has been a tumultuous season and lift the Scottish Premiership trophy again in May, they may well look back on the hard-fought 3-1 win over Motherwell as a big moment in a remarkable story.

While the comeback after Elijah Just’s goal for the visitors was notable as another example of the attitude Martin O’Neill has instilled in his side, the identity of the key man in the victory is another surprise in a season that’s defied predictions.

If everything had gone to plan, Hyun-jun Yang would have been playing a part in Birmingham City’s Championship campaign after being deemed surplus to requirements last summer.

That move fell through and the player looked destined to remain as a bit-part player in Brendan Rodgers’ side, making only a few appearances before the Northern Irishman’s shock departure in October.

Instead, Yang has scored six times in the league since Christmas, chipping in with goals as Celtic have kept in the title race.

Only three players: Tawanda Maswanhise, Youssef Chermiti and Yang’s team-mate Benjamin Nygren have more.

As Motherwell’s Maswanhise drew a blank in the showdown at Celtic Park, Yang struck twice, perfectly placed to coolly stroke in the leveller, and then racing through the middle to smack in Celtic’s third and ensure three points, effectively ending the Fir Park side’s slim title hopes.

“He was sensational,” Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said. “Sensational in every aspect of the game.

“Going forward, with the goals he scored, the energy and the willingness to work back, it was a monumental performance by him.”

O’Neill said that the 23-year-old was “on a high” in the dressing room after the final whistle, and Yang might feel entitled to celebrate after a spell that’s shown why the club lured him from Gangwon FC almost three years ago.

The winger’s contribution has been far more than just a couple of eye-catching finishes at the right moment, with the stats showing how he has developed into a consistent threat.

Only Nygren has over performed his expected goals (xG) by more than he has with six goals from 3.82 xG.

And, perhaps surprisingly, Yang has the best conversion rate of any player in the league with 20+ shots, better than Nygren, Chermiti, Aberdeen’s Kevin Nisbet and Falkirk’s Barney Stewart, an argument that Celtic would be better off if they had played him more than they have.

There seems little doubt that O’Neill will continue to call on the attacker for what looks like a nail-biting run-in as they continue to hunt down leaders Hearts.

The manager has options to weigh up in every game as he looks to find the right blend up front but after a performance he described as “wonderful” he’ll be finding a way to keep Yang in his side, and in form.

The summer transfer collapse was a sliding doors moment for a player who has struggled to convince up to that point.