Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers (50) smiles broadly at Oh Hyun-gyu (22). It’s a sign of what could be a changing of the guard for Kyogo Furuhashi (28).
Celtic defeated Hibernian 4-1 on Sunday in the 16th round of the 2023-2024 Scottish Premiership at Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland. The win extends Celtic’s unbeaten run through the opening 16 games (13 wins, 3 draws) and puts them atop the table.
For the first time in a while, Rodgers recalled Oh to the starting lineup, having started all five games from the bench since last month’s win over Ross County, but this time in place of Japan international striker Furuhashi.
Rodgers made the decision based on Furuhashi’s recent form. Furuhashi was the top scorer under Ange Postecoglou last season, but has been increasingly quiet. He has just one goal in his last eight official games.
Oh, on the other hand, has gradually become more influential after shaking off a thigh injury, scoring the goal of the season against St. Mirren in the 11th round in front of his family. 카지노사이트킴 With momentum on his side, Oh really made his mark with a multi-goal performance against Aberdeen in Round 13 and earned his place in the starting lineup.
Rodgers’ choice proved to be the right one.
Oh gave Celtic the lead with a lucky strike in the fifth minute of the first half. Cameron Katterbeekers got a foot to a corner kick from Luis Palma. His shot deflected off Oh, who was in front of the goal, and into the net.
After scoring his fourth goal of the season, Oh continued to create chances and look for a multi-goal game. In the 14th minute, he got a header on a cross from Palma, but it went over the bar. In the 20th minute, he connected with a right-footed shot from a cross by Alistair Johnstone, but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper.
Oh would eventually get his multi-goal game. In the 10th minute of the second half, Callum McGregor whipped in a forward pass from the left, and Oh won a battle with the defense to collect the ball in the box. Shaking off the defense, he beat the keeper with a precise right-footed shot that rattled the Hibernian net once again.
He sprinted around his home stadium and scored a multi-goaler!”
Oh finished the job with his fourth and fifth goals of the season.
He was replaced by Furuhashi in the 18th minute of the second half and left the field. Celtic pulled one back in the 27th minute through Christian Doidge, but the Hoops held on for the three points without conceding a further goal.
After the game, Rodgers said: “The attitude of the players was really good. It was a really good win,” he said, “I made some changes to the starting lineup because I trust the new players. I thought Hyun-gyu Oh in particular was outstanding up front.”
“He set a good example for the team and I’m really happy with his performance, he’s definitely playing with that confidence. 사설토토 The pass forward from McGregor was outstanding. Oh cut back, penetrated, showed strength, came inside and finished really well. He’s doing really well in training and he was very effective in the game.”
Rodgers added: “Oh’s performance was outstanding, he scored well and pressed hard. He worked his socks off,” he added.
Celtic senior Peter Grant also applauded Oh’s performance, saying, “Mikey Johnston had a good game and obviously so did Oh, they had a big impact on the game.”
Oh seized the opportunity that came his way. Now, the “Furuhashi start-Hyunkyu bench” rivalry could be on the verge of cracking.