Kim Bo-kyung reckons new Celtic signing Hyeongyu Oh will have no problem adapting to the rigours of the Scottish game. And the 33-year-old, who currently plays for Suwon Bluewings, is gutted to see his teammate leave for Europe.
The Hoops signed highly-rated Oh to boost their striking options as Giorgos Giakoumakis gets set to leave for Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan. The 21-year-old is highly spoken of by Ange Postecoglou and will be hoping to hit the ground running immediately with a debut against Dundee United on Sunday.
Bo-kyung moved to Cardiff City at back in 2012 at a similar age Oh is now and carved out a good three-year spell with Cardiff and Wigan before moving back to Asia with Matsumoto. And he reckons he has everything it takes to succeed. Kim, who helped win the English Championship with Cardiff, scored against Manchester United in the Premier League and played for South Korea in the 2010 World Cup, is convinced Oh adapt easily to Scottish football.
Kim said: "I went to Europe at the same age as Oh did. It was a huge challenge for me, but it was also great motivation to succeed because at that time not too many South Koreans were in Europe. Going abroad is the most difficult thing, but it also offers the most possibilities. It's an incredible opportunity for Oh and one that he could not turn down.
"Personally, I am disappointed he has left because we won't play together this season and he will be a difficult man to replace. He's a great player already. But it's a great move for him.
"Of course, he will make mistakes along the way, he's a young man and it will take him time to adapt as it did me. But it's a real honour to sign for a club as big as Celtic and I know he will rise to the challenge of playing football over there soon. I want to offer my full congratulations to him for such a prestigious move."
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