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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Smith

Jurgen Klinsmann details importance of Celtic stars in his South Korean plans

Jurgen Klinsmann has opened on his discussions with Brendan Rodgers regarding Celtic's South Korean stars.

The Hoops currently have three Koreans on their books with Hyunjun Yang and Hyeokkyu Kwon joining Hyeongyu Oh this summer.

Klinsmann is currently manager of the South Korean national team and has been keeping close tabs on the Glasgow based players to see their progression.

Oh is in his national team squad for upcoming matches against Wales and Saudi Arabia this international break, but Klinsmann also has high hopes for the other members of the Hoops squad.

"I have spoken with Brendan,” he told the Scottish Sun. “I talked three weeks ago about Oh. But he told me about all three and he likes them very much. He is happy with how they are progressing.

“He also said to me that he had a big roster of players at Celtic. I replied, ‘Brendan, I totally understand’.

“But I said I was just happy that he was satisfied with the three boys, that they were training well and listening to him. The Korean mentality is that they are very good listeners. They are very disciplined.

“I told Brendan he will never have an issue with them about character and about discipline. Ange was fantastic with Oh. He and Brendan are great characters and they care about their players. They are both good people-managers.”

Meanwhile, Celtic manager Rodgers has criticised the “morality officers” who have rounded on Jordan Henderson following his move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.

The former Liverpool captain, as a long-time supporter of the LGBT+ community, has drawn widespread condemnation for his decision to move to a country where homosexuality is illegal.

However, Rodgers – who managed Henderson during his three years at Anfield – defended a player’s decision to choose where they ply their trade.

“It’s their profession, it’s their life so they have to do what’s best for them,” Rodgers told talkSPORT. “There are so many morality officers around the world nowadays that are judging people.

“But Jordan I know extremely well and I know the love he had and will always have for Liverpool.

“He was at the stage of his career where he probably wasn’t going to be the first name on the teamsheet any more.

“At 32 years of age, he’s won absolutely everything. He probably fancied a different challenge and out of respect, it probably didn’t feel right for him being at another Premier League club.

“So to go abroad and take on a new challenge clearly suited him.”

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