When Oh Hyeon-gyu arrived at Celtic Park in January 2023 from Suwon Samsung Bluewings, there was a buzz of excitement. The 23-year-old South Korean striker seemed to have the potential to light up the Scottish Premiership.
Yet, despite his initial promise, with 14 appearances and 5 goals, Oh’s journey at Celtic has hit a stumbling block. With the summer transfer window approaching, it’s time to consider if moving on might be the best option for both Oh and Celtic. Especially now Belgian side Genk are in the race to sign him.
The arrival of Adam Idah in January 2024 seen Oh’s playing time diminish to nothing. Brendan Rodgers clearly favoured the Irishman and Kyogo Furuhashi in when it came to picking a striker, leaving Oh to warm the bench and sometimes not even than. This sidelining has stunted his development, making it unsurprising that he might be looking for greener pastures.
Oh Hyeon-gyu’s chances of breaking into the starting eleven look bleak. Moving to a club where he can be a regular starter would undoubtedly boost his career. Celtic don’t have the luxury of casting off the South Korean without any thought at the moment. Super loan bhoy Adam Idah’s future is up in the air and Celtic will need to make sure they have a striker in the door before letting Oh go.
Celtic shelled out £2.5 million under Ange Postecoglou. However, given his limited appearances, his market value might have taken a massive hit. If the Hoops can secure a reasonable fee for him, it would be wise to reinvest those funds into strengthening other areas of the squad. Additionally, freeing up his wages could open doors for new acquisitions that could be more impactful.
He was given some chances under Ange and Brendan, but as much as we’ve wanted him to be a top player for us, Adam Idah came in and showed Oh how to do it in just four months.
At 23, Oh is at a pivotal point in his career. Regular playing time is essential for his growth and development. Moving to a club where he can play consistently would provide the platform he needs to flourish and perhaps catch the eye of even bigger clubs in the future.
While some Celtic supporters might feel a tinge of disappointment at seeing Oh Hyeon-gyu leave, it’s a move that could benefit all involved. For Oh, it means more playing time and a chance to reignite his career. For Celtic, it means recouping some investment and bolstering the squad with fresh talent.
