Hyunjun Yang isn’t likely to be a regular Celtic starter at this stage.
But, as Luis Palma struggled to grab the first key chance, the South Korean’s subsequent cameo may have thrust open the door for him to seize control of a crucial role at Parkhead. Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn have started the season in red-hot form to cement their wide-attacking spots. The Japanese’s explosive pace, scoring ability and torture of defenders with work is a crucial part of the set-up.
Maeda has been that way since scoring within four minutes of his Celtic debut and shows no signs of slowing down almost three years later. Given Brendan Rodgers describes him as the best in the world at pressing and being the catalyst for team-mates to swarm opposition, he sets a high bar. Maeda has gone from cult hero to vital cog and Kuhn’s value to the team is also soaring. The German took a little longer to get up to full pelt with the well-documented dental issues hindering his initial progress.
However, with a relatively clean run through pre-season, the winger has been outstanding since the big kick-off. Right now, that pair are the undisputed top options, but Rodgers is going to need serious back up.
As he states himself, there’s a physical cost to Celtic’s relentless style and you simply can’t play at the demanded intensity for every minute of every game. As Celtic aim to keep it fresh and vibrant through the gruelling schedule of domestic and European challenges, alternatives need to be at it.
James Forrest has already proved time and again he is more than capable of stepping into a role on either side, but there may also be days when both slots need to be covered. Palma, it seemed, had it in his hands. Of him and Yang, he had the bigger impact in year one.
Were it not for a narrow offside call, the Honduran would have bagged a winner against Lazio on Matchday Two of the Champions League and his strike counted against Atletico Madrid the following outing.
Domestically, he also shone at that stage with goals and assists to announce himself impressively into the Scottish game.
However, whatever the factors, Palma’s influence waned and he took mostly a back seat through the second-half of the season as Forrest stepped in to push the Double through.
Between he and Yang, he got the first competitive starting shot this term, too. Five days ago against Falkirk. But, afforded that priceless opportunity to re-establish his credentials, the Honduran didn’t grasp the nettle.
Alternatively, Yang made impact when took over against the Bairns to help spark the fightback and, by doing so, may just have moved himself firmly up the selection ladder.
The 22-year-old came straight off a season with Gangwon to join Rodgers last summer and it was a tough learning term. There were flashes, but he was also a bit-part contributor.
At his age, he has bags of improvement in him and Rodgers is just the man to coach it out, just in the way he did with the likes of Ryan Christie.
Rodgers had done a superb job of strengthening the areas that needed it. The arrival of Auston Trusty for £6 million gives the additional centre-back to supplement and severely push Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Matt O’Riley headed out of the door, but the additions of Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan have bolstered the midfield area.
Alistair Johnston has Anthony Ralston with him for right-back and Alex Valle, although suffering a tough baptism against Falkirk, can assist Greg Taylor on the left.
Adam Idah signed to assist Kyogo Furuhashi in attack and two goalkeepers, Kasper Schemichel and Viljami Sinisalo, were captured to cover Joe Hart’s departure.
The one area that was not significantly bolstered during the summer transfer window was the wide-attacking positions. Of course, having signed Kuhn in January, Rodgers did the work early to get one through the door and settled in time for this season’s Champions League challenges, a luxury not afforded to Palma last term with his very first start for the club coming in the group opener against Feyenoord.
Kuhn’s now a go-to man, just like Maeda, but the manager needs those others on-point, on demand. Celtic were brilliant against Atletico at home last year, yet the exertions meant those same players were flat heading to Easter Road three days later and they shipped two points in a 0-0 draw with Hibs.
Rodgers had more choice after Slovan Bratislava and implemented wholesale changes against Falkirk to freshen it up. Palma was amongst those getting a starting nod and it was there for him to stamp a mark.
Instead, unable to really impact, the boss had to shout the likes of Kuhn, Engels and Taylor from the bench to finally seize control of the tie and that probably wouldn’t have been in his script.
Crucially for Yang, he was amongst the quartet who turned the tide when pitched into the fray.
While Palma had toiled for an hour, the Asian looked far-more sprightly. No-one’s as fast as Maeda, but Kuhn and Forrest have that speed. So does Yang, which can make him a dangerous weapon in a team which plays with such pace.
Maeda and Kuhn simply can’t play every minute and, when recharging batteries, Rodgers needs alternatives to ensure Celtic’s levels stay blistering.
Replacing Maeda’s traits is virtually impossible and Kuhn is becoming equally crucial in his own way. But there are times when they’ll need to sit out.
And, if Palma cannot get up to speed, it’s there for Yang to really race in and fully assume that crucial role in Rodgers’ planning.