Celtic continue push to sign Oh Hyeon-gyu: Reports

Oh Hyeon-gyu celebrates after scoring a goal in a K League game between the Suwon Samsung Bluewings and FC Seoul at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul on Sept. 4, 2022. [NEWS1]

Celtic has reportedly doubled down on its push to sign Korean forward Oh Hyeon-gyu from the Suwon Samsung Bluewings, despite the Korean club rejecting the offer last year.

The Scottish club initially made an offer to the 22-year-old forward in December last year in search of a new striker, according to reports from Scottish newspaper Glasgow World.

Oh confirmed to reporters that Celtic did make the offer, and implied that he was interested in considering the move.

The Bluewings quickly shut down that option, declining that offer and insisting that Oh needed — and wanted — to stay at the club.

Celtic isn't willing to give up that easily, however, with reports Wednesday that the club has sent an improved offer.

The Scottish club’s interest in Oh comes as they are on the verge of losing existing striker Giorgos Giakouamkis, who looks set to move to J1 League’s Urawa Red Diamonds.

Oh could reinforce Celtic’s attack in the absence of the Greek striker as he scored 14 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions in the 2022 K League season.

He was called up to the senior Korean squad for the first time on Nov. 11, playing 18 minutes of a friendly against Iceland, and landing on the reserves list for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Oh is a particularly attractive option for international clubs because he finished his military service early, completing two years with the Sangmu military club last season.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN AND JIM BULLEY [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]