Celtic new Bhoy Hyeongyu Oh has heard talk about Scottish football being tough and he's already had a taste of boss Ange Postecoglou’s famously brutal training sessions. But the South Korean striker reckons life at Parkhead will be a walk in the park compared to his time doing national service in his homeland.
The 21-year-old volunteered to do his 18-month stint in the army early so he could focus on his dream of playing football in Europe. All South Korean men need to sign up before the age of 28 but Oh put his hand up when he was just 19 – and rose to the rank of sergeant.
The frontman was put through gruelling training regimes that included crawling through mud, which might come in handy when it comes to coping with some of the playing surfaces in Scottish football. But Oh was glad to get it done and dusted and he believes the rough and tumble of the game in this country will be a breeze after doing his soldier duties. The Korean international said: “National service teaches you not to waste any day and live life to the full. The experience of being the army are also helpful for life afterwards.
“I think it does make you appreciate football more. Every day when I was in the army I was dreaming about this moment. I’m so happy to have made it real by coming to Celtic.
“Will national service be tougher than Scottish football? Yes, for sure! It was tough, it was usual army things like running, climbing and crawling through the mud.
“I think it will be different to training here. Well, I managed to get through it yesterday!”
Oh has thrown himself into the move. He’s come to Scotland without any family and while he already has some English, he’s ready to launch into sessions straight away. He spoke at his Parkhead unveiling yesterday through an interpreter but joked it wouldn’t be holding court on his own.
The kid was quiet but not overawed, and there is a determined streak running through him. Oh did his army time because he was determined to jump on a fast track to European football.
Every time he turned out for Suwan Samsung Bluewings, it was to do his bit for the team and to earn his ticket around the world. And getting a taste of the big time in Qatar only fuelled his dream.
Oh’s World Cup story could be a sore one. But he doesn’t see it that way.
He was the odd man out when Spurs ace Son recovered from injury to make the squad but boss Paulo Bento had him as first reserve and took him along for the ride. Oh soaked it all in – and he made sure he hung on every word from Son.
The £2.5m hitman said: “When I was in Qatar I got to see all of the greatest players of this generation. I learned a lot just watching them and I felt ready to play as well. Was I upset Son managed to recover from injury? No! I was happy.
“I learned a lot from him. He’s one of the best players in Korea.
“I haven’t spoken to him since coming to Celtic as we were rushing to do the transfer but he gave me good advice at the World Cup. At the World Cup though he told me that I should watch out for every little mistake, because the small mistakes turn into bigger and bigger mistakes. So, he told me to try not to make any mistakes.”
Oh also paid close attention to the European teams in Qatar and his homework convinced him he could crack on this side of the world. And the youngster insisted he won’t be running scared of Scottish defenders.
Oh said: “When I was watching the World Cup and saw the big European defensive players, I wondered if I could fight with them. After a while though when I saw Korea score some goals against them, that gave me confidence that maybe I too could go up against them as a Korean and survive in European football.”
Oh has been studying Celtic and speaking to boss Postecoglou and feels his game is a perfect fit for Parkhead. He’s also a student of the game and pours over footage of the best strikers in the business as he looks for hints and tips for his own journey to the big time.
Oh said: “There isn’t one specific player that I looked up to, but I like strikers like Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski. I enjoy the physical battle against defenders, that’s one of my strongest qualities.”
Oh is following in the footsteps of Korean stars Ki sung yung and Cha du ri and he’s also thrilled to be part of Celtic’s current Asian influx with six Japanese players in the Parkhead ranks. He’s sure it will help him settle in his new home – but don’t expect them to all agree when it comes to nation rivalry.
Oh said: “I’m always happy to see successful Asian players in Europe, and I’m sure we have some things in common. I’m sure they will be a big help to me. But between Korea and Japan, Korea are the better team!”
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