Celtic could spend £8m on Yang's “good” replacement

With the Scottish Premiership season over and the title up for grabs, Celtic must start thinking about what's next in the summer transfer window.

Despite having an SFA Cup final against Dunfermline next weekend, the Hoops board need to identify and recruit a replacement for Martin O'Neill's long-term shoes in the dugout.

The decision to give him the reins until the end of the season in January turned out to be the right one as he led the team to the top before Hearts on Saturday.

Apart from that, the Hoops must also improve their squad to ensure that there is not even a race for the title next season, being able to dominate in the way they have done in previous years.

One of the players who could lose his place in the starting line-up as a result of this brutal trade for right-backs is Hyun-jun Yang.

Why Celtic need to sign an upgrade on Hyun-jun Yang

The South Korean finished the campaign with eight goals and one assist in 31 Premier League appearances for Scotland, starting 28 times.

While a return of eight goals in 28 games is not a bad performance for a right-back, the quality of Celtic's flankers has been set high by the likes of Jota, Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn in recent seasons.

In the 2024/25 campaign, Kuhn hit double figures for goals (13) and 'big chances' created (11) in the Premiership for Celtic before his £16.5m move to Italian side Como last summer.

Yang, however, has not scored double figures, 'big chances' created, or assisted the Hoops this season, despite being the first-choice right winger throughout the campaign.

Therefore, Celtic should look to sign the best South Korean striker who can provide goals and assists regularly in the league next season.

Celtic could sign an £8m replacement for Yang this summer

The Hoops could bring in a much better winger than Yang by making another move for the star they tried to sign in the January transfer window.

Celtic tried to sign Fares Ghedjemis from Frosinone in the winter window with a 'significant' bid, but he opted to stay in Italy. Having already won the Premiership title and possibly having the Champions League to give him, they may appeal to him this time.

His form in Italy's second division suggests they should go back to him as the left-footed star, described as “excellent” by scout Chebli Ishaq, has scored 18 goals and assists.

The Algerian finished the 2025/26 Serie B season with double figures in goals (15) and 'big chances' created (11), showing the quality the Hoops have lacked in many areas in recent months.

Wolves and Norwich have reportedly made bids in the region of £8m to sign the striker recently, but he is not interested in a move to the Championship in England.

That price tag, however, gives Celtic an indication of the kind of money they may have to shell out to bring the left-footed star to Parkhead this summer to strengthen their squad, if they can convince him to make a move.

Ghedjemis, who scored on his debut for Algeria against Guatemala in March, looks to be a player who should not go back to see if they can convince him, as he has shown consistent quality as a goalscorer and creator.

Unlike Yang, the Algerian forward has proven that he can consistently deliver points, goals and assists as part of a top-flight team, having earned promotion to Serie A with Frosinone this season.

So, the Hoops should push the boat out to land an £8m deal for the 23-year-old talent if the Italian side are willing to do business at that level, and if they can get the forward to agree to a move to Glasgow.