FORMER Celtic goal hero Chris Sutton reckons “it’s a bit of a shame” Oh Hyeon-gyu appears to be heading for the champions’ exit.
The South Korean striker was used sparingly by Brendan Rodgers during the double-winning campaign and the powerhouse attacker was eclipsed when Adam Idah arrived on loan in January.
All indications are that Oh’s one-and-a-half year stay at Parkhead is coming to an end with the 23-year-old international figuring in summer transfer speculation.
The youngster was signed for £2million from K-League outfit Suwon Bluewings on a five-year contract by Ange Postecoglou in January 2022, but made only three league starts in his 20 appearances last term.
Oh claimed a meagre five goals to add to six in his debut crusade – and appears to have failed to impress Rodgers.
The Irishman is determined to put his imprint on the squad he inherited when he returned a year ago and there are changes in the wind.
Oh could be one of the first to go through the revolving door and Sutton said: “It’s all quiet at Parkhead on the transfer front, but they can’t allow the summer to drift as there’s work to be done.
“Brendan Rodgers will know what he needs, but he can add another striker to his shopping list as it looks like Oh Hyeon-gyu is on his way out.
“I actually think it’s a bit of a shame if he goes as there is a player there. Oh is raw and there is development needed.
“But he has a lot of tools and I like him as an alternative to Kyogo Furuhashi. He was overtaken by Adam Idah in the second half of the season, but he’s similar in some ways to the Norwich City man in that he’s physical and can be a focal point.
“Clearly, Rodgers isn’t so sure – and that’s fair enough. He sees the player every day in training and it’s entirely up to him. But letting Oh go means Celtic are going to be in the market for TWO new strikers.
Yogo is going to be the main man, Sutton said in a statement to the Daily Record. Additionally, it appears that the discussion about his eventually needing shoulder surgery has stopped.
“He made it through the season with little trouble from injuries, so it doesn’t appear like this will be a major issue for him in the upcoming campaign. But the first step is to get him help. Oh’s departure will make landing Idah even more crucial.
“It’s not just a formality, but Celtic will also need another forward even if they manage to get him back.” They will require three or perhaps four strikers to combat on four fronts in the upcoming period.
The former forward for England continued, saying, “Every team is searching for strikers, so sometimes patience is required.
However, Celtic cannot afford to take its time. Proceed to the next target if they are unable to capture the first one.
“They go for the US in mid-July, and Rodgers will be itching to have some fresh faces on the aircraft.”
