“Unstoppable in Turkey! Oh Hyeon-gyu Breaks Records at Beşiktaş as Celtic Plot Sensational Return”

South Korean international Oh Hyeon-gyu is making headlines once again, this time in Turkey, after a sensational start to life with Beşiktaş J.K.. The 24-year-old striker, who completed a £12 million move from KRC Genk in January, has wasted no time in announcing himself to the Turkish Süper Lig with goals, assists, and a piece of club history.

Oh arrived in Istanbul on the back of a productive spell in Belgium, where he scored 22 goals in 73 appearances for Genk. While those numbers may not have placed him among Europe’s most prolific forwards, they highlighted his steady development and growing maturity as a centre-forward. Beşiktaş saw enough in his performances to invest heavily, and early signs suggest that decision is already paying off.

Since pulling on the famous black-and-white shirt, Oh has delivered in emphatic fashion. He found the net in each of his first two appearances, scoring against Alanyaspor and Istanbul Başakşehir. Not only did he score in both matches, but he also registered two assists, underlining his ability to link play and contribute beyond simply finishing chances.

His immediate impact has etched his name into Beşiktaş history. Oh has become the first striker since Aílton in the 2005/06 season to score in his first two appearances for the club. For a team with such a rich tradition of attacking talent, matching a record that has stood for nearly two decades is no small feat. It speaks volumes about the confidence he has brought with him and the trust already placed in him by the coaching staff.

Remarkably, Oh is also the first South Korean player to sign for Beşiktaş, adding a layer of historical significance to his transfer. Turkish football has long attracted talent from across Europe, South America, and Africa, but few Asian players have made a lasting mark at the club. Oh now carries the responsibility—and opportunity—of blazing a trail for others from his nation.

For many observers, particularly supporters of Celtic F.C., his bright start in Turkey brings a sense of déjà vu mixed with frustration. Oh previously spent time at Celtic after joining the Scottish giants amid considerable excitement. At Celtic Park, he showed flashes of sharp movement, physical presence, and a keen eye for goal. However, consistency proved elusive.⁹

During his spell in Glasgow, he managed 12 goals in 47 appearances. While not disastrous numbers, they were not enough to cement him as a regular starter in a side competing for domestic titles and European progression. Competition for places, tactical adjustments, and the pressure of delivering instantly at a club with Celtic’s expectations meant Oh often found himself rotating in and out of the starting lineup.

Yet even during that mixed period, many within Scottish football believed there was more to come from the South Korean forward. His work rate was unquestionable, and his knack for arriving in dangerous areas suggested a striker who simply needed the right environment and sustained backing.

That belief appeared justified when reports emerged last summer linking him with a potential £24 million move to VfB Stuttgart while he was still at Genk. Although the proposed transfer ultimately fell through, the reported valuation demonstrated how highly he was regarded in certain scouting circles. Interest from a Bundesliga side underlined the perception that Oh possessed untapped potential ready to explode.

Instead, his path led to Istanbul, where he now seems determined to prove doubters wrong. His early performances for Beşiktaş have been marked by composure in front of goal and intelligent positioning. Against Alanyaspor, he displayed predatory instincts inside the box, reacting quickest to convert his chance. Versus Istanbul Başakşehir, he combined sharp movement with clinical finishing, while also showcasing vision and unselfishness to set up teammates.

Beyond the statistics, what has impressed supporters most is his energy and hunger. Oh presses defenders relentlessly, stretches backlines with clever runs, and appears fully committed to the club’s ambitions. That intensity resonates strongly with Beşiktaş fans, who traditionally value passion and work ethic as highly as technical brilliance.

Of course, two matches do not define a career. The Turkish Süper Lig is demanding, and opponents will quickly adapt to his style of play. Maintaining this level over the coming months will be the true test of whether his explosive start can translate into a standout season.

Nevertheless, the foundations have been laid in spectacular fashion. By matching a record last achieved by Aílton nearly 20 years ago and contributing directly to multiple goals in his opening games, Oh has sent a clear message: he is not in Turkey to make up the numbers.

For Celtic supporters watching from afar, his resurgence may provoke mixed emotions—pride at seeing a former player thrive, but also questions about what might have been. For Beşiktaş, however, there is only excitement. In Oh Hyeon-gyu, they appear to have secured a forward entering his prime, eager to write a new chapter in his career.