Yang Hyun-jun Shines As Celtic Overturns Motherwell To Boost Title Bid

Add as a preferred source on Google

Yang Hyun-Jun produced a decisive display as Celtic battled back to beat 10-man Motherwell 3-1, a result that tightened the Scottish Premiership title race and drew Celtic to within two points of leaders Hearts after Hearts later lost 1-0 to Kilmarnock.

The match swung on key moments at both ends of the pitch, with Celtic overturning a first-half deficit, capitalising on Emmanuel Longelo’s red card, and seeing Yang strike twice to secure three important points that also dealt a major blow to Motherwell’s slim title ambitions.

Celtic started on the front foot at Celtic Park, when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain went close and saw one effort pushed onto the post, yet the early pressure did not bring an opener and Motherwell punished that wastefulness by striking first in the 32nd minute through Elijah Just.

Motherwell’s lead lasted only six minutes as Yang seized on a defensive mistake to equalise, and the game changed again after the interval when Emmanuel Longelo was shown a straight red card for holding in the penalty area, allowing Tomas Cvancara to score from the spot and put Celtic ahead.

Yang added a second goal in the 79th minute, settling the contest and confirming a comeback win that strengthened Celtic’s Scottish Premiership challenge, while Motherwell’s defeat left the visitors’ faint hopes of joining the title race effectively over on a frustrating afternoon.

The result carried extra weight once news emerged of Hearts’ 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock later on 14 March 2026, because the loss meant Hearts remained just two points ahead of Celtic at the top, which brought fresh pressure onto the league leaders with the season moving into a key stage.

Celtic stats, attacking output and Yang Hyun-Jun influence

Celtic’s performance was backed up by strong attacking numbers, as the team produced 2.1 expected goals from 13 attempts, hit the target with six efforts and struck the woodwork twice, underlining the pressure Motherwell faced for long spells despite taking the lead.

Across the league campaign, Celtic have now collected 13 points from losing positions, more than any other side in the division, and the latest turnaround further highlighted the group’s capacity to respond when behind, with Yang central to that resilience against Motherwell.

Celtic manager view on Yang Hyun-Jun and team mentality

Yang’s display carried extra significance given the wider context of the season, as Yang had been judged surplus to requirements at Celtic Park earlier in the campaign and was close to joining Birmingham City before that transfer collapsed, leaving Yang to fight for a place under Martin O’Neill.

O’Neill made a point of highlighting how Yang contributed without the ball as well, praising the forward’s pressing, running and defensive work, alongside the two goals, and framing the performance as a key response at a time when Celtic are handling injuries and squad issues.

He was sensational, O’Neill said. Sensational in every aspect of the game. Going forward, with the goals he scored, the energy and the willingness to work back, it was a monumental performance by him.

O’Neill also reflected on the broader context of the win, speaking about both the comeback and the quality of the opponents, while stressing that performance levels had matched the result and that character alone was not the sole reason for Celtic’s success against Motherwell.

It's a big win, and to come from behind and play in the manner that we did. Naturally, I'm delighted with the performance, O'Neill told BBC Scotland. Where it comes in the scheme of things, I genuinely don't know. But, to play against Motherwell, who are a fine, fine footballing team and fight back with all the things that were mounting up for us, like injuries, the team have found spirit. But spirit alone won't do it for you, and they played brilliantly. That's a delight.

The victory left Celtic better placed in the Scottish Premiership race, reinforced confidence in a squad coping with injuries and selection changes, and underlined Yang’s growing influence at Celtic Park, with the forward’s two goals and overall display standing out on a pivotal afternoon.