WING AND YANG

Wide man comes good with vital double in rollercoaster season

- BY MICHAEL GANNON

HYUN-ALL Yang slots home equaliser against Motherwell

YANG HYUN-JUN was all set for a big Celtic goodbye in the summer - but the Hoops ace is thrilled he managed to get the gang back together.

The South Korean notched a slick double in Saturday's crucial 3-1 win against Motherwell to send his side within striking distance of the top of the Premiership.

And the 23-year-old has opened up on a rollercoaster season that almost started with a change of scenery.

Yang didn't just have one foot out of the Parkhead door. Both feet were firmly planted at Birmingham City's St Andrew's stadium and a swish of a pen would have completed a £3million exit.

Celtic's botched attempts to sign a replacement meant a swift recall in the final days of the window to remain where he was needed.

Yang refused to sulk, though. Instead, he got wired in.

And that's why the youngster now has a cult online following among a section of Hoops supporters - who call themselves the Yang Gang.

Sure, the winger's form can fluctuate. There have been some iffy displays, like the one in the Champions League qualifier against Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan - but there have also been some moments of real quality, as well as important goals.

There was a crucial one against Hearts in the 2-2 draw at Tynecastle and another cracker against Rangers, before Wilfried Nancy's setup was exposed in January.