For Yang Hyun-jun, perseverance is proving to be a virtue.
After biding his time at Celtic, the 22-year-old winger’s patience and persistence are now being rewarded with international recognition.
On Monday, South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo named Yang in his 28-man squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Oman and Jordan, as Korea look to solidify their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It’s a well-earned call-up for Yang, who has been in scintillating form for Celtic over the past month, contributing to crucial goals and assists from the substitutes bench. Yet, his journey to this point has been far from straightforward.
Since joining Celtic in the summer of 2023, Yang has faced stiff competition for a starting berth, with the likes of Jota, Daizen Maeda, and Nicolas Kühn ahead of him in the pecking order.
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Game time has been hard to come by, but crucially, he has made the most of every opportunity - particularly in recent weeks.
South Korea boss Hong acknowledged this, highlighting Yang’s ability to make an impact despite his limited minutes.
“He has not been playing big minutes, and I don’t think his playing time will increase significantly going forward,” Hong admitted.
“But he has been making a huge impact in a short amount of time. That’s a great thing for both the player himself and for the national team.”
It’s a testament to Yang’s resilience. Rather than growing frustrated at his lack of consistent starts, he has embraced the challenge, maximised his opportunities, and now finds himself one of Korea’s most in-form attacking players heading into the March international break.
Yang’s inclusion comes at a pivotal moment for South Korea, who are currently leading Group B in the Asian qualifiers with 14 points from six games.
They hold a five-point cushion over third-placed Jordan, so with four matches remaining, they could seal their place at the 2026 World Cup during this international window.
His last international appearance came in February 2024 during the AFC Asian Cup, but given his recent form, Yang will be hoping to earn more minutes against Oman and Jordan.
Whether he starts or continues to be an impact player off the bench, his selection is a clear sign that patience and persistence in football do pay off.
