Maloney reveals why Yang Hyun-jun has earned Martin O’Neill’s Celtic trust

The South Korean played an important role in Sunday’s 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock and continues to establish himself as a key part of Martin O’Neill’s plans.

Competition for attacking places is set to increase, with Haissem Hassan joining the squad and Jota closing in on his return from injury, but Maloney believes Yang has shown he is capable of retaining a prominent role.

The Celtic assistant manager said via The Herald: “Yang took that right-wing position by the scruff of the neck last year and went to another level. He’s always been that sort of quite a good player or impact player at the club.

“But last year he went, ‘I want to be an important player’.”

Yang backed that up with 10 goals and three assists last season, including memorable strikes against Rangers, Hearts and Feyenoord.

Maloney believes it is not only the 24-year-old’s attacking output that has made him so valuable, with his contribution without the ball helping earn the trust of O’Neill and his teammates.

He said: “Not every winger will have an amazing game attacking-wise all the time.

“But if you give that other side of the game to your teammates, you will find yourself in the team for big occasions.

“He earned the manager’s trust. He’s got an unbelievable work-rate and is also brilliant without the ball.”

Maloney also revealed Yang made an impression almost immediately after the current coaching team arrived at Celtic last autumn.

He added: “He started to come on as a sub for Martin and had a really good impact. And then he was off and running.

“I really like him as a player when he’s at his best. He’s taken it on, and it’s got nothing to do with us. It’s all him.”