Oh Helps Beşiktaş Show Another Attacking Option Ahead of Celtic Return

Former Celtic striker Oh Hyeongyu has helped Beşiktaş with a two-striker option that Martin O’Neill may need to prepare for ahead of their Europa League meeting.

Oh impressed from the bench during Monday’s 2-0 victory over Başakşehir, earning praise from manager Vincenzo Italiano.

The Beşiktaş boss highlighted the South Korean’s immediate contribution and said switching to two forwards showed how dangerous his team could be.

That gives Celtic something to consider before the Turkish side visit Parkhead on Thursday, November 5.

Italiano praised Oh’s professionalism and acknowledged the difficulty of entering a match and making an instant impact.

“Before the match, I said we could be stronger with substitutions in the second half. Oh, he put in a fantastic performance. He came on very well, and it’s not easy to make an impact right away.

“There are never any easy matches in this league. I’m happy we won. We always talk to Junior Olaitan, he made assists… He also needed to score. He scored two beautiful goals.

“He can take great shots from distance, he needs to do that more often. That’s how we won the match. Oh is also a very professional player.

“Along with Dusan Vlahovic and Semih Kılıçsoy, they will help us all season. I’m very pleased with Oh. I’m also very pleased with Olaitan and Ndidi.

“We had been conceding goals for a long time, and I’m extra happy that we finished this match without conceding a goal.”

Junior Olaitan scored both goals, but Oh’s performance offered his manager encouragement about the attacking options available.

It does not establish how Beşiktaş will line up in Glasgow. It does, however, suggest they have an alternative approach if Italiano wants another presence through the middle.

It could mean adapting during the match rather than simply dealing with the shape that starts it.

It’s something that Martin O’Neill is wanting to bring to this Celtic team, as they showed in the last game of the season against Hearts.

But, putting attention back to Europe, Celtic badly need a response of their own.

Three defeats from their opening three Europa League matches have left O’Neill’s side without a point, making the 8pm encounter a must-win if they are to revive their qualification hopes.

The manager still has progression in his sights, but Celtic need results to support that ambition.

But Hyeongyu Oh could have a big say in their chances of progression.