“I love Celtic so much. It has a special place in my heart,” Oh Hyeon-gyu
Oh Hyeon-gyu admits he could cry if he scores against Celtic as former Hoops striker prepares for emotional Parkhead return…
Oh Hyeon-gyu has revealed he could struggle to hold back the tears if he scores against Celtic on Thursday night, as the former Hoops striker prepares for an emotional reunion with his old club.
The South Korean international is back in Glasgow with Besiktas for Thursday evening’s Europa League encounter, almost two years after leaving Celtic in search of regular first-team football.
Oh scored 12 goals during his 18-month spell in Scotland but found opportunities limited, starting just six of his 47 appearances before moving to Belgian side Genk in the summer of 2024. His performances in Belgium helped progress his career, earning him a reported £12million move to Turkish giants Besiktas in January.
Now 25, Oh returns to Celtic Park as an established international striker, determined to demonstrate just how much he has developed since leaving Glasgow. Speaking in English at Wednesday’s pre-match media conference at Celtic Park, the striker admitted he had been looking forward to the occasion.
“I’m so excited. It’s very special for me to be back here,” Oh stated. “I couldn’t speak English properly back then but everyone welcomed me like family here. And Celtic became like my second home.
“Maybe I will be emotional if I score but I will give everything for Besiktas.”
We would expect nothing less from Oh. He revealed that he had been anticipating the fixture for some time, having spent almost two years away from the club and its supporters.
“I’m very excited. I’m ready. I’ve been waiting for this match for two months,” he said.
Despite now representing Besiktas, the striker made no secret of the affection he still holds for Celtic and the people who helped him settle into life in Scotland. Reflecting on his time in Glasgow, he said:
“I came here as a young boy with a dream. It was sometimes hard for me, sometimes good for me. I have got good memories here. I always be grateful for everything and the fans. If I score, maybe I will cry.
“I learned a lot about my position from Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah. In my last season here, I didn’t play for the last six months so it was a hard time for me.
“But I’m very happy to be back here because I love Celtic so much. It has a special place in my heart.”
Oh also explained how leaving Celtic proved to be an important turning point in his career, providing the motivation to establish himself as a more accomplished striker.
“After I left Celtic, it was good motivation for me. I wanted to show what I could do and how much I have improved. Finally I am back here and I have to show them.”
The forward also reiterated that, while the occasion will be an emotional one, his immediate focus is on delivering for his current club. Oh explained that he would be proud to represent Besiktas at Celtic Park and insisted he would give everything for the Turkish side, regardless of the special connection he retains with the Hoops.
For Celtic supporters, the return of Oh will bring back memories of a striker who showed glimpses of his potential but never quite managed to establish himself as a regular starter, at a time when the Celtic squad was much stronger than it is at the moment.
His departure ultimately allowed him to take the next step in his career, and tomorrow night’s encounter offers an opportunity to demonstrate that progress on one of Scottish football’s biggest stages.
Oh will certainly hope to make an impact, although he may find that scoring against a club he still regards as his second home brings mixed emotions. Let’s hope he’s kept in check by the Celtic defenders, perhaps Cameron Carter-Vickers who owes the support one after his horrendous error at Falkirk on Sunday.
Watch Oh Hyeon-gyu speaking to the mainstream media at Celtic Park earlier today …
