Yang Hyun-jun discusses transition to Scottish Premiership

Celtic midfielder Yang Hyun-jun says the language barrier has been an issue since moving to Scotland in the summer, although he does benefit from being part of the only Korean trio in European football.

Celtic's Yang Hyun-jun warms up before a match against Rangers at the Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland on Sept. 3. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Celtic midfielder Yang Hyun-jun says the language barrier has been an issue since moving to Scotland in the summer, although he does benefit from being part of the only Korean trio in European football.

Speaking in a video uploaded on the official Celtic football channel, Yang discussed his experience at Celtic so far, having joined the club over the summer alongside defensive midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu. Oh Hyeon-gyu, another midfielder, has played for the Scottish treble winners since January.

“I don’t think there’s any difficulty getting used to life in Scotland,” Yang said. “But if I had to pick one, it would be the language. Since I’m not good at speaking English, there is a language barrier when I’m trying to communicate with other players on the team.”

Yang, 21, joined Celtic from K League 1 club Gangwon FC after a protracted and very public dispute with the club’s management over his right to transfer. He got off to a fast start in Glasgow, appearing in seven of eight Scottish Premiership games so far this season, more than Oh, who spent some time on the sidelines with an injury.

“The speed of Scottish teams’ transition from attack to defense or vice versa is way quicker than Korean teams,” Yang said, when asked what the biggest differences have been. “Also, defenders here are a lot more physical.”

Yang also had the opportunity early in his Celtic career to appear in two UEFA Champions League games, even starting a match against Lazio on Oct. 4.

“It was such an honor to play in the Champions League,” Yang said. “It’s a shame that I couldn’t show all of my ability as I was feeling a bit nervous since it was such a big game.”

Alongside Oh and Kwon, Yang makes up the only trio of Korean players on the roster at any top-tier club in Europe. Birmingham City Women have two — Cho So-hyun and Choe Yu-ri — as do FC Midtjylland — Cho Gue-sung and Lee Han-beom — but Celtic are the only club with three Korean players.

While the three have never had the chance to play together as Kwon is yet to make his debut, Yang did say that having Oh join the club eight months earlier made the transition a lot easier for the two newer players.

“Oh already had good relationships with the teammates and staff here before I arrived, so I’m just trying to follow in his footsteps,” Yang said.

While Oh is currently on international duty with the Korean national team, Yang and Kwon both remain in Glasgow for the international break. Celtic will be back in action on Sunday as they take on Heart of Midlothian in a Scottish Premiership game.

A bigger challenge awaits the team next week as Champions League action returns. Celtic will face Atletico Madrid in their Group E game of Europe’s top tournament on Oct. 25. Celtic currently sit in last place in the group with two straight losses, while Atletico lead with a win and a draw.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]