Celtic set to make a £2 million signing to finally threaten Yang Hyun-Jun’s position

If the pressure was not on Wilfried Nancy before, it certainly is now. On Saturday, despite taking the lead through Yang Hyun-jun’s stunning early strike, Celtic were beaten 3-1 by fierce rivals Rangers in the Glasgow derby at Parkhead. This is the first time since October 2010, also a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Rangers, that the Celts have lost a home Premiership match in which they led at half time.

As a result, despite winning only one of their first eight, Rangers are now level on 38 points alongside Celtic. The pair are both six points adrift of league leaders Hearts. Thus, having lost six of eight matches since his appointment, many of which have been high-profile, supporters have lost all remaining faith in manager Wilfried Nancy.

However, it is certainly not all his fault. The current Celtic squad lacks quality, following a disastrous summer transfer window. Thus, plenty of business is expected to take place this month. Thankfully, the Hoops are closing in on their second recruit of the month. Will he prove to be a shrewd addition?

Celtic set to sign £2 million Yang Hyun-Jun upgrade

On Friday, Celtic announced the signing of right-back Julián Araujo from Bournemouth on loan. Given that first-choice Alistair Johnston has made just one appearance since August due to a serious hamstring injury, the Mexican should be a useful addition.

Now, the next new recruit appears on his way. As has been widely-reported, Jocelin Ta Bi is set to join the club in a deal worth £2 million. So, who is he, and will he be a success at Celtic?

Ta Bi was born in Cote d’Ivoire, but has spent the entirety of his senior career in Israel. He joined Maccabi Netanya, but never actually made an appearance for the Diamonds, spending this season and last on loan at Hapoel Petah Tikva. Ta Bi was a key figure as the Mulabbis won promotion to the top-flight last season, scoring five goals and registering three assists.

This time round, he has so far scored two Ligat HaAl goals, netting against his parent club and then league leaders Hapoel Be’er Sheva, helping the newly-promoted outfit sit sixth in the table.

With only 40 senior games under his belt, the vast majority coming in the Israeli second-tier, Ta Bi is certainly going to be raw, but is talented according to all regular onlookers. The Ivorian is an out-and-out right-winger, a position Celtic have needed strengthening ever since Nicolas Kühn departed for Como in the summer.

Yang has predominantly been the first-choice on that flank this season, after scoring just his 11th goal in 87 appearances for the club on Saturday, most agree that an upgrade is needed. Whether or not Ta Bi proves to be that remains to be seen.

Ismaila Soro and Hatem Abd Elhamed are Celtic’s most-recent arrivals from the Israeli Premier League. Fair to say, neither were a great success, so will the incoming 20 year old be any different?