Oh Hyeon-gyu sentimental about Celtic, but not about Europa League clash

Besiktas star Oh Hyeon-gyu is sentimental about Celtic, but not about Thursday night's clash with the Bhoys. Oh spent well over a year with the Hoops from 2023 to 2024, making 36 league appearances and scoring 11 times.

He won two Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and a League Cup during his time at the club, and he returns for the first time on Thursday night, now a Besiktas player after a stint with Genk.

The South Korea international has so far made 22 league appearances and has scores seven times. He will likely play a significant part on Thursday night, with Besiktas heavy favourites for the Europa League clash, still unbeaten in the competition, while Celtic are yet to pick up a single point.

"I'm very excited and I'm ready. I've been waiting for this match for two months," said Oh in the pre-match press conference.

"It's very special to be back here. When I first came here, I couldn't speak English properly. They welcomed me as part of the family. This place was like my second home."

While Oh has fond memories of Celtic, he is not particularly sentimental about Thursday night's game, knowing full well where his allegiances lie.

"Tomorrow will be special for me whether I score or not," he added. "If I score, I'll be happy. I'm a Beşiktaş player and I'm proud to play for Beşiktaş. I will give everything for Beşiktaş."

But Oh did conclude by reminding: "I really love Celtic. They have a special place in my heart."

The forward struggled for game time at the back-end of his Celtic time due to Adam Idah arriving on loan and impressing at the time. He has since proven himself a more competent player than what was believed during his Celtic time, and he is still only 25 years of age.

Celtic will need to keep an eye on Oh on Thursday night, but they will have their hands full with the likes of Leandro Trossard and