Oh Hyeon-Gyu believes he has ‘already’ improved as a striker since joining Celtic in January to ‘survive’ in the Premiership. He has also explained why the Scottish top-flight is ‘tough’.
Celtic backed Ange Postecoglou in the mid-season market to bolster his attacking numbers with a move for Oh. The 21-year-old arrived at Parkhead on a five-and-a-half-year contract to fill Giorgos Giakoumakis’ void. But he has held a limited role despite scoring three goals.
Postecoglou has only started Oh in one of his 10 appearances across all competitions since paying Suwon Samsung Bluewings £2.5m. Yet the South Korea international has still struck home three goals across only 233 minutes. Two of his goals have come in the Premiership.
Postecoglou has only given Oh a steady start as a Celtic player
Oh entered the international break on the back of scoring his second Premiership goal as Celtic beat Hibernian 3-1. The forward had already found the back of the net in a Scottish top-flight game at St Mirren. But he made his only start against Aberdeen on February 18.
Celtic still comfortably beat Aberdeen 4-0 as Postecoglou rested Kyogo Furuhashi with Oh starting. While the Namyangju, Gyeonggi native’s goal against St Mirren rounded out their 5-1 win. His effort at home to Hibernian restored the Bhoys’ lead at 2-1 in the 81st minute.
Oh believes the Premiership has already made him a better striker
Yet while Postecoglou has only offered Oh a steady start at Celtic, he feels the Premiership has made him a better striker. The South Korea star claims its intensity and the toughness required to hit the heights in Scotland have forced him to adapt, otherwise he would sink.
“Already I feel I have improved in the short time I have been at Celtic,” Oh said, via quotes by the Daily Record. “Scottish defenders are physically strong but I don’t avoid them and try to be as physical as I can.
“It’s a tough league and I always feel the defenders playing against us give 120% to stop us. So, to beat them, we have to give even more. I definitely think I have become stronger by playing at Celtic. You have to be tough to survive in the Scottish league.”
While Oh has only enjoyed brief opportunities for Celtic, the forward has shown he is able to put himself about. Postecoglou will appreciate the efforts that the attacker has offered at Parkhead, as well. But the Bhoys boss will want to see Oh show he merits further starts.
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