Oh taking Celtic opportunities like they're his last as he reveals goal mistaken identity had squad in disbelief
The South Korean cap has told boss Brendan Rodgers he'd love a run in the team to fire the Hoops towards the title.
In form Oh Hyeon-gyu has revealed his festive wish list to be the main man for club and country.
The Celtic hitman blasted a double in Wednesday’s 4-1 win against Hibs – in just his second start of the season. Oh has notched five times this term and 11 over all in his 12 months at Parkhead – despite only been named in the starting lineup on five occasions. The Korea star grabbed his chance the other night with boss Brendan Rodgers giving Kyogo given a rest. And he’s determined to stay on the goal trail to fire Celts towards the title and age sure he has a leading role for his country at the Asia Cup at the end of January.
Oh said: “In December I want to play as many games and score as many goals as I can. I want to contribute towards the team and also get to the Asia Cup.
“I was very happy to get the opportunity to be in the starting XI and personally I was very happy to score two goals. I just tried not to be too lazy, to do what the manager told me, so it was important for me to play aggressively.
“I think I managed to do that. It’s important for me to take these opportunities whenever I am in the starting line up.
“I don’t get that many opportunities to start but whenever they come I play like it’s my last game. I they to do what the manager asks and if I do my best, the goals tend to follow.
“I want to grasp these opportunities when they come. Every training session feels like a competition but the manager and coaching staff all help me with lots of advice.”
Oh has been forced to play second fiddle to Kyogo but he insisted he can improve from competing with the Japan star.
He said: “I know how much Kyogo has contributed to this club. I feel it’s an honour to play with him and I respect everything he does.
“I can learn from Kyogo. I look up to other players here and they all mention how hard the training is. I am experiencing it now and it helps me improve a lot, physically and mentally.
“My English is getting better too! I can speak to everyone but I need to keep it going!”
Oh was thrilled to add to his tally in midweek – even though the Celtic Park PA initially awarded his opening goal to Cameron Carter-Vickers. Replays showed the Korean got the final touch but the hitman admitted even his Parkhead pals didn’t clock it.
Oh said: “It was a very important touch! I don’t think anyone realised I had touched it – none of the players believed me! Even the stadium announcer said it was Cameron’s goal… I said no, no no!
“I was very thankful to Cameron for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the goal.”
Meanwhile Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will assess Carter-Vickers on Friday after the defender was taken off at half-time in the Hibs win after feeling a tight hamstring.
The USA star missed the start of the season after knee surgery and suffered a setback on his initial return. The centre back has been a mainstay since returning to the side but is unlikely to be risked on Kilmarnock plastic pitch on Sunday.
On-loan Liverpool defender Nat Phillips is ready to step in – with summer signings Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke also fit and on the fringes.