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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

Son Heung-min offers advice to Cho Gue-Sung over potential Celtic transfer

Spurs star Son Heung-min has advised his World Cup countryman Cho Gue-Sung to move to Europe, as Celtic increase their interest in the South Korean ace.

The Hoops have been linked with the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors forward since last month with a fee of around £2.5 million mentioned for Cho.

Bundesliga outfit Mainz were keen to land Cho, but their interest cooled when the full financial package of the transfer and his salary was unveiled.

That hasn't appeared to put off Celtic though, who are now firm favourites to land the 24-year-old in this month's transfer window.

And, in an interview in his homeland, Tottenham Hotspur hero Son was asked about his advice for Cho when it was suggested to him that he would soon sign for Celtic.

Son said: "My advice for him would be to go and don't be afraid of playing on the European stage.

"He gained great experience by playing so well at the World Cup and that's the standard he would expect in top European competitions.

"I believe his experiences in Qatar will definitely help him.

"For me, it's not like I have achieved my dream just by playing in Europe. Every day, I think about how much more I can improve and Cho must do the same.

"For him to move to a European club must mean he is the best player in South Korea just now and that is quite an achievement.

"Once he adapts, he will enjoy the experience. But he has to keep working hard every day."

Meanwhile, Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou praised his new-look full-back pairing after they played their part in an ultimately comfortable victory over Kilmarnock.

Canada right-back Alistair Johnston made his home debut and Alexandro Bernabei made his fifth cinch Premiership start in place of the injured Greg Taylor.

With Anthony Ralston still out and Josip Juranovic on the bench, Postecoglou was happy with the way the selected pair adapted to the inverted full-back role during the 2-0 cinch Premiership win.

“It is a challenging position, it is fair to say that, because we are so different in the way we play from the way everyone else plays,” said Postecoglou, whose side created a series of chances after Jota broke the deadlock in the 45th minute.

“The likes of Ali and Berna are still getting their head around it. It probably took Greg and even Jura 12 months to get their head around it. All the guys have tackled it the right way, Tony Ralston is another one.

“The good thing about all those guys is they accepted the challenge. There was no saying ‘I can’t play that way’ or ‘I don’t like it that way’. They embrace it.

“With Ali and Berna, you will see the best of them as they get to grips with the role.”

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