Cho Gue-sung opens up on January transfer regret after turning down Celtic move as boss takes aim over fitness
CHO GUE-SUNG has addressed whether he has any regrets about turning down a January move to Celtic.
The South Korean striker was linked with a move to Ange Postecoglou’s side in the transfer window after impressing for his country at the 2022 World Cup.
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Cho Gue-sung scored against Ghana at the World CupCredit: AP
The 25-year-old’s performances in Qatar made him appear an ideal candidate to replace the outgoing Greek forward Giorgos Giakmoumakis, who made the switch to MLS side Atlanta United before the end of the window.
He scored two goals in three minutes against Ghana, making him the first Korean to score twice in a single match on the biggest stage.
In the end, however, the Hoops opted for Cho’s countryman and fellow centre-forward Hyeongyu Oh, who has had a decent start to life in Scotland as backup to Kyogo Furuhashi.
Cho, who remains on the books at K League outfit Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, has been criticised by his manager after being linked with a move away from the club.
The striker scored his first goal of the season from the penalty spot during a draw with Suwon, but boss Kim Sang-sik took aim at his player’s fitness levels.
He said after the match: “Cho Gue-sung’s body is still heavy. He seems to have some impatience on the ball as well. We hope he will gradually get better.”
Following this criticism from his manager, the frontman was asked if he has any regrets over not moving to a club in Europe, with Celtic and others interested in securing his services.
The attacker said: “I’m not the kind of person who lives with such thoughts.
“I am a person who has been given a good opportunity. If I dare to challenge on the European stage I must run towards that dream. I try to concentrate on each game.”
Speaking to South Korean media outlet Footballlist, Cho was also asked if he was under even more pressure to secure a big move away, with the striker admitting he now has a different mindset from before.
He said: “I thought that way when I went into winter training.
“However, after I played the first match I felt that I was wrong to think about it.”
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