Sources: Martin O’Neill blocks exit for Celtic star who ‘came very close to leaving’
Martin O’Neill has no plans to allow Hyun-jun Yang to leave Celtic this month after his impressive recent performances have pushed him into their starting eleven.
Yang is into his third season as a Celtic player, but has never been as impactful on their first team as he is right now under O’Neill.
The 23-year-old winger has scored three goals in his last five matches for the Hoops, while he is now a regular starter under the legendary boss on the right wing.
He was linked with a move away from Parkhead last summer after making just nine Premiership starts in 2024-25, but his fortunes have drastically changed just a few months on.
Rumours around his potential exit emerged as recently as last month, but as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Yang will not be leaving Celtic under O’Neill’s watch.
Yang will not be leaving Celtic in January
Birmingham City renewed their interest in Yang ahead of the January window last month, after he was close to moving to St. Andrew’s for £3million in the summer.
He returned to Hoops’ starting eleven under Wilfried Nancy though, and has continued to shine under O’Neill, with an exit now ruled out midway through the campaign.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “Obviously he came very close to leaving in the summer when Birmingham thought they were going to sign him, but Celtic pulled the plug late on on deadline day because they didn’t bring in a signing of their own.
“Right now, Yang is probably one of the first names on that Celtic team sheet. He’s done quite well under Martin O’Neill, scoring in the win against Dundee United last weekend.
“He is playing in his preferred position of right-wing, rather than right wing-back, which was where he was being utilised by Wilfried Nancy.
“I don’t think Celtic can afford to let him leave. The squad is quite weak at the minute, and short of options.
“Yang has played his way back into the plans this season, because he didn’t really figure under Brendan Rodgers, but I think under Martin O’Neill he is probably going to play a key role in the second half of the season.
“So I don’t think Celtic will be listening to offers for Yang in this transfer window because he’s going to be needed by Martin O’Neill.“
Celtic will not be signing Kyogo Furuhashi from Birmingham this month
Yang and Kyogo featured together for Celtic before the Japan striker’s departure last January, and have been close to reuniting at either Parkhead or St Andrew’s.
Kyogo joined Birmingham from Rennes in the summer, but he has struggled for form in the Championship with no goals or assists in 23 appearances so far.
Reports of the Hoops’ interest in his signature arose ahead of the winter window, but sources have told Football Insider that Birmingham have no plans to let Kyogo leave anytime soon.
Celtic are instead tracking Chelsea’s David Datro Fofana ahead of a potential permanent bid for his services, with attacking additions desperately needed if they are to challenge Hearts for the title.