The 21-year-old aims to excite fans as popular winger Jota did before he left for Saudi Arabia

Yang Hyun-jun wasn’t even out of primary school when James Forrest broke into Celtic’s first-team.

But in Busan, South Korea –almost 6,000 miles away from Glasgow – he knew all about him. Because as a kid, Yang would watch the Hoops to see his countrymen, Ki Sung-yeung and Cha Du-ri, in action. It’s remarkable that 12 years on he finds himself at Parkhead. What’s even more incredible is that Forrest is still there and one of Yang’s new team-mates.

The 21-year-old winger, signed this summer from Gangwon FC, is battling with Forrest for a slot in Brendan Rodgers’ team. It’s early days in his Celtic career but he says it feels amazing to be wearing the Hoops. Yang said: “James is one of the club’s great players. He played with Ki and Cha some years ago here. When I look at James and how the fans support him, that gives me motivation to do well here. James is an inspiration to me, absolutely, in terms of his relationship with the fans.

“When the supporters shout and make noise, it gives me goosebumps every time. Even if I feel tired, it gives me energy to give more on the pitch. Celtic have always been my dream club so when I first heard of their interest it was like a dream come true. I was fixed on this move from the very first moment. I watched Celtic games a lot when I was younger when Ki and Cha played for the club.”

 

Yang is certainly easy on the eye, in terms of attacking style on the flanks. He came off the bench against at Aberdeen last Sunday and his brilliant assist helped Matt O’Riley’s seal victory with a crucial third goal. It was reminiscent of fans’ favourite Jota last season. Yang believes that, like Jota, he can get Celtic fans off their seats with his displays –and promises that they’ve seen nothing yet.

He said: “What I showed against Aberdeen is what I’m best at but I think I can show more. I’m good and confident when I dribble with the ball – the skills come out instinctively. I watch matches to try and understand what skill set you might need in different situations.

“I know that Jota was a great player and very popular at Celtic. But I’m not the only person to fill that gap he’s left. We have lots of great players and together we can do it in each match. Up to now, I’ve only been a substitute. But if I get the chance to start, which is totally different, I’ll try to show some good moves that the fans will like.”

Yang could get an opportunity to impress at Rugby Park this afternoon in Celtic’s tricky Viaplay Cup tie against Kilmarnock. He revealed a bad experience in the Korean FA Cup for Gangwon in May will spur him on to try and lift silverware at Parkhead. Yang missed a gilt-edged chance in extra-time then a penalty in the shoot-out in a tie against Cheongju – but eventually got through. He said: “I don’t have good cup memories. In the Korean FA Cup I lost my concentration with a chance in extra-time.

“It was a good lesson to always concentrate until the end of the match. That game for Gangwon went to penalties and I missed one. Thankfully our keeper did well and in the end we got the victory. This is a big opportunity to make up for that now. If I can contribute to a cup victory for Celtic, it would be a good memory. Playing on Killie’s artificial pitch isn’t a problem because as a youth player in Korea we always played on them.”

Yang was first targeted for Celtic by former boss Ange Postecoglou. But that hasn’t fazed the South Korean winger who is loving life under Rodgers – and is keen to catch the eye of national team boss Jurgen Klinsmann. He said: “It’s no problem for me that it was the former manager who identified me. I respect the gaffer we’ve got now and I feel honoured to be part of his team.

 

“This is a very different team to the one I played for in the K-League. Our team didn’t dominate games as much. And it’s much faster here so I’m also adapting to the speed of the games. Up to now, I feel as if I haven’t shown the best of me or all that I can give. It will take time but when I’m ready for the South Korea national team, I feel the chance will come.”