Celtic face a spell without left winger Yang Hyun-jun, who has departed for the Asian Games. The Korean international's absence comes at a critical juncture, with a Premier Sports Cup tie, a Premiership double header against Rangers, and a Europa League opener with Ferencvaros all on the horizon.
O'Neill's options to fill the void
Manager Martin O'Neill joked he hopes Yang's nation are eliminated early, though he acknowledges it is unlikely given South Korea's status as gold medal favourites – a triumph that would also exempt the player from national service. With Yang unavailable, several candidates are in contention to replace him.
Sebastian Tounekti, a Tunisia international who appeared at the World Cup, cost £5m last summer and is the only genuinely left-sided wide man in the squad. However, O'Neill has trust issues with the former Hammarby player. Tounekti has obvious talent and can beat a man, but what happens next has been the issue – and why he has not been a regular starter. His numbers last term – five goals and three assists – did not cut it for a Hoops winger, though he has looked the part coming off the bench.
Duran's adaptability and Hassan's switch
Camilo Duran might be loathed to move again given his lethal form through the middle in the absence of injured Kasper Hogh. But Duran proved adaptable when shifted to the right side earlier in the season, linking well with Hogh and Benjamin Nygren and cutting inside onto his left foot. It might be trickier on the other side, but O'Neill will not want to take Duran out of the side.
Haissem Hassan is more at home on the right flank, but a switch could make sense. Hassan tends to go on the outside down the touchline, but while he has a hammer of a left peg, he is not as effective with his right, and his final ball was not as sharp from that side. He has caused more problems cutting back or dashing inside, similar to the role Nicholas Kuhn performed. If O'Neill wants his wide men to hug the sides, a move to the left could come in handy, with Kieran Tierney or Liam Scales more than up to the job defensively.
Forrest's experience and formation tweaks
James Forrest, at 35, can still have an impact whenever called on. Forrest has tended to be used on the right but is arguably at his best out left, able to drift inside, link up play, or get shots away. It would also allow his old pal Tierney – when back fit – to rampage up the outside. It would not be a surprise to see Forrest starting some games in the role, especially at Ibrox where his experience would be vital.
O'Neill might also go with an entirely different formation. New recruit Landon Emenalo has been an orthodox left back but has also played out wide and in midfield in his youth days. O'Neill's favoured formation in his first spell at Celtic was famously 3-5-2. Tierney can play in a back three or as wing back; likewise, Scales has played both roles. Going two up top would allow the Hoops to get Hogh and Duran playing together, but it would leave a question of where to fit in Hassan. Yang's absence has given his manager plenty to ponder.
