How do you prepare for the day your Champions League dream comes true?
For Kwon Hyeok-Kyu, it’s whacking the anthem on the car stereo and turning the volume up to 11. Celtic’s new Korean midfielder has long been visualising the moment he reaches Europe’s premier stage for the first time, and arrives in Glasgow from Busan I-Park with no shortage of ambition.
He recalls watching countryman Ki-Sung Yeung making himself a firm favourite at Parkhead, but the 22-year-old defensive hopes to surpass even him. He confidently declared he wants to remembered as ‘a legendary player’ by the time he departs Celtic.
Clearly, there is no better stage than the Champions League to write yourself into Celtic folklore, and that’s a challenge Kwon feels he is ready to tackle head on. Mind you, the noise of the real thing may just be a touch louder than the car speakers.
“Obviously Celtic is one of the Champions League teams so they are well known in Korea,” said Kwon. “That’s why it’s one of my dream clubs.
"When I was playing at my former club I always had the Champions League song playing in my car. When you repeat it, I think it then becomes true. I have my chance now to play in the Champions League and I want to become a legendary player here. This positive attitude is what I will take to training every day.
"There were two impressive matches - last year's game against Real Madrid although it wasn't a good result. Playing in the Champions League has always been one of my dream stages. I am very confident that I can do well.
“It’s also a very good chance for me to improve as a player so when the chance is given I will do my best.”
Completing a period of military service is mandatory for young men in Korea, with not even Tottenham’s global superstar Son Heung-min exempt, reporting for a shortened three-week stint during the Covid-19 pandemic back in 2020.
Every year, 15 footballers completing their service are drafted to Gimcheon Sangmu, the sports division of the Korean armed forces. Kwon was among them in 2021, being loaned from Busan I-Park to play in the K2 League, the nation’s second tier, playing alongside Cho Gue-Sung, who was previously heavily linked with Celtic before signing for Midtjylland in Denmark.
He admitted to finding it difficult to adapt to, initially, but now feels it is an experience which helps him bring a ‘soldier mentality’ onto the pitch. All the while, he held on to his dream of one day signing for a top club in Europe.
"Like the other soldiers, we would all wake up early and go for a jog,” Kwon recalled. “In the mornings we would do normal soldier training, army training, and in the afternoon we prepared for our matches and trained as a soccer player. In late evening I would do my own personal work-outs. You can think of it easily as a football player in the army.
"It lasted for 18 months. At first it was difficult to adapt to that life but I got used to it. I think because of it I can bring a soldier mentality on the pitch which is definitely helpful.
“Gimcheon was a very special team as there were a lot of national team players who had a lot of experience. I could learn a lot from them.
"I am just a football player. I always dreamed of playing at a European club and I just want to do my best on the pitch.”
That gruelling service may just have helped shape Kwon as a player. He describes himself as enjoying the battle, never shy of a tackle or simply making opponents’ life a misery.
His form back home has drawn stylistic comparisons with Manchester City’s midfield general Rodri, high praise for a player still making his way in the game. But while it’s a flattering compliment, Kwon insists he’s more interested in forging his own reputation.
"I am very happy to hear these compliments but I know that I still have a long way to go to become a player like Rodri. I think I can improve a lot at Celtic and one day I want to become not Celtic Rodri but Celtic Kwon.
“I’m the type of player who can do very hard pressing and give pressure to the opponent.
“I’m very good at intercepting balls and also as building play by giving the ball to more attacking midfield players.
“Of course I don’t have experience in the Scottish Premiership but I have experience in the K2 league and I look forward to bring what the new manager is looking at in me.
“It was always my dream to come to a big European club. That’s why I had to sort out my military issue in Korea.
“That’s why I’m here. I’m very honoured. It’s a new chance for me to show who I am.”
It stands to reason Kwon would be exactly the type of player who would back himself to thrive in the searing heat of derby contests with Rangers. He maintains he’s well aware of the history of the two clubs, and the sky-high expectations at Celtic as the club look to repeat last season’s treble success, this time under the returning Brendan Rodgers.
"I am aware it is a long history and a traditional derby between the teams. For me, it is a normal league match and I want to focus on each game. I think that is what brings good results.
“I know that it was a successful season and that because of that a lot of fans have high expectations.
“But personally I think it’s a new season with a new manager so I want to focus on this season and hopefully we can have good results as well.”
