Ki Sung-yong all threads merged

What about lee chun soo and honda is with cska moscow. Without some of the intelligent play and contirbutions of boltons new korean- theyd be in a worse position

 

Celtic’s Ki Sung-Yeung will not disappoint if given dream debut against Rangers

• 

• Jeff Hopkins

Christopher Jack
0 comments
Published on 31 Dec 2009
The £2m paid Celtic for Ki Sung-Yeung represents a significant outlay in these straitened times for Scottish clubs, but it will prove to be money well spent, according to the man who honed the South Korean’s talents as a youngster.
Jeff Hopkins may be as unfamiliar a character as Ki to the Celtic legions, but after guiding the South Korean through his footballing infancy at John Paul College in Brisbane, the former Wales international defender is sure his protege will become a household name.
Ki’s father, a talented footballer himself, sent his son to the school, judged one of the best in Australia for sport, to develop his talent and learn English.
“Ki was about 13 when I first worked with him and even at that age, you could tell he was really special,” Hopkins, who oversaw the school’s ‘Brain Sport Programme’, told The Herald. “He had lots going for him and he was very technically gifted. He was good with both feet, had good close control and he could see things early that other players couldn’t. He had a great attitude to the game and to learning, you only had to tell him something once. He was willing to work as hard as possible to achieve his goals.
“From that age, you could see he would be a special player. Ki is probably the best player I have seen at that age. We went on tour to England a few years ago and after only a few minutes of a practice match, Derby wanted to sign him. His performances were very consistent and that is important at that age.

Ki is probably the best player I have seen at that age. We went on tour to England a few years ago and after only a few minutes of a practice match, Derby wanted to sign him. ​

Jeff Hopkins
“I think it is a great bit of business for Celtic. If he can go on to have a good World Cup, he could be worth a lot of money.”
The former FC Seoul player, likened to Steven Gerrard in style, is expected to provide a creative influence in the Celtic engine room, but fears of the Asian being overrun and outmuscled in the unrefined Scottish Premier League are unfounded, according to Hopkins.
He said: “I think he is best suited to a central role where he can control the game and control the tempo. He likes to get forward and be creative and I am looking forward to seeing him play for Celtic, it will be good to see how Ki is coping and progressing.
“He played at the back during his time in Korea and has also played as a full-back. The K-League is a reasonably physical league and with the way the kids are brought up, they do not get away with not performing. It is a good league to learn in. He is an adaptable player who will thrive when given the chance. He can handle both sides of the game. He will be signed for his attacking play and the threat that can cause, he is the type of player that fans will pay to come and watch and be entertained.”
Hopkins spent 15 years as a player in England before joining Malaysian outfit Selangor and finally settling in Australia. Now manager of Brisbane Roar in the women’s W-League, the Welshman will watch with interest as his former pupil attempts to make the grade in Scottish football and hopes that he is able to make a dream debut in Sunday’s Old Firm match. Ki is unlikely to be fazed by the atmosphere and Hopkins hopes the Celtic faithful take him to their hearts.
“The Old Firm game will be a big one for him,” he said. “There is no better game to let him get a taste for the passion and commitment of Scottish football. It will be an amazing start for him, even if he is just on the bench. Over the years, I think he will have played in front of similarly big crowds. South Korea played North Korea in a World Cup qualifier and I would imagine that game would have attracted a big crowd. The K-League games get decent crowds as well. It shouldn’t be a problem for him to adapt. We are all used to the Liverpool, London and Milan derbies but the Old Firm is unique.
“The ideal start would be for him to come in and make an immediate impact with the fans. They will be expecting a lot and he won’t want to let them down. He is perhaps a bit different in style from a lot of SPL players, he likes to get into a lot of space and have time on the ball and he does look a class act.”

Don't know why this is still in the rumour section, can mods move it please - he's a signed up Celtic player & will be at least on the bench against Rangers in 2 days.
Thanks...

 

I thought we should of paraded ki at half time during the huns game it would of gave the crowd a huge lift as far as i know he hasn't been paraded in/ outside the ground yet.

 

He was paraded at the start of the hamilton game and he came out and said he wanted to beat rangers!
I am quite excited to see how he gets on but am slightly concerned about all the hype surrounding him since his arrival at the club for two reasons:
1. he is only 20 but 2 million for us is a big fee these days so will be expected to be involved in first team and the pressure being added by the clubs publicity around him puts a lot on a young mans shoulders in a new environment.
2. Is the big deal the celtic board and lawell are making over the signing of the lad as if to say this is our big signing for the window. With all the players speculated to be leaving i feel we need a few in as well or even though most players are surplus to requirements you still need something in reserve if a few players get injured.