South Korean winger Yang Hyun-jun netted a composed finish as Celtic dismantled Premier League side Newcastle United 4-0 in a pre-season friendly at Celtic Park, just days before the Magpies are expected to announce the signing of Korean teen prospect Park Seung-soo.

Yang, who started on the right wing and impressed with his pace and directness, struck Celtic’s third goal in the 52nd minute, latching onto a low cross from Daizen Maeda after a clever run behind the defence. The 22-year-old finished confidently with his right foot, underlining his attacking instincts and sending a strong message to manager Brendan Rodgers ahead of the new season.

Standout Performance Against Premier League Opposition

Yang’s goal came as part of a dominant display from the Scottish champions, who were already 2-0 up through a first-half penalty from Arne Engels and a smart finish from Johnny Kenny. Liam Scales added a fourth late on to complete the rout.

According to statistics platform FotMob, Yang earned a match rating of 7.9 – the second highest of all players behind Engels – and recorded 1 goal, 2 key passes, 16 completed passes (89% accuracy), and 1 successful dribble in 62 minutes of action. It was a performance that showcased not just flair and work rate, but also end product.

Auditioning for a Bigger Role

Having largely been used as a substitute last season, Yang had been the subject of transfer speculation earlier this summer, with clubs from Poland and England – including Norwich City and Legia Warsaw – reportedly showing interest. However, Celtic have shown no strong intention to sell, and his recent form may prompt Rodgers to reconsider his role.

The departure of Nicolas Kuhn to Como has opened up competition on the right flank, and Yang is now viewed as a serious contender to claim that spot. He will face stiff competition from new signing Benjamin Nygren, a highly rated Swedish winger who scored 16 goals for FC Nordsjælland last season.

Newcastle Under the Spotlight

Newcastle, who recently lifted the EFL Cup and finished fifth in the Premier League, were without star striker Alexander Isak amid speculation linking him with Liverpool. Manager Eddie Howe, however, dismissed exit rumours, insisting: “Isak is happy at Newcastle and I expect him to be part of the team when the season begins.”

The Magpies are currently on an Asian tour and will face K League All-Stars on July 30 before taking on Tottenham in Seoul on August 3. The defeat to Celtic, highlighted by Yang’s goal, offers a wake-up call for Howe’s squad ahead of a challenging season – and a reminder of the talent emerging from South Korea.