South Korean striker Cho Gue-sung insists he has no regrets over turning down a January move to Celtic after the centre-forward’s fitness levels were criticised by his manager.

The 25-year-old caught the eye when representing his nation at the World Cup at the tail end of last year and is understood to be keen on a move to Europe off the back of his displays in Qatar.

The attacker, who plays for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in his homeland, was linked with a move to Parkhead during the winter transfer window as Ange Postecoglou sought a replacement for Greek centre-forward Giorgos Giakmoumakis, who completed a move to Atlanta United in the MLS.

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Celtic ultimately opted for Gue-sung’s compatriot, Hyeon-gyu Oh, to serve as back-up striker to Kyogo Furuhashi in Glasgow’s east end and Gue-sung ended up staying put, despite reported interest from Mainz of Germany and Minnesota United from the US.

The striker has struggled to carry his World Cup form into the J-League campaign. After scoring his first goal of the season from the penalty spot in the weekend’s 1-1 draw with Suwon Bluewings, manager Kim Sang-sik was critical of his player’s performance.

“Cho Gue-sung’s body is still heavy,” he said after the match. “He seems to have some impatience on the ball as well. We hope he will gradually get better.”

Speaking to Korean outlet Footballlist, Gue-sung was asked if he felt extra pressure to perform this season in order to secure a move to Europe. The attacker admitted that he had previously adopted that attitude before realising the error of his ways.

“I thought that way when I went into winter training,” he said. “However, after I played the first match I felt that I was wrong to think about it.”

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When asked if he had any regrets about not moving to Europe in January, when Celtic were amongst the team’s chasing his signature, he replied: “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.”

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