Hwang In-Beom showed why Rangers were reportedly keen on him this week when the Red Star Belgrade midfielder scored a well-taken goal against Champions League holders Manchester City.
Joining in a £4.3 million deal from Olympiakos over the summer, Hwang In-Beom became not only the most expensive signing in Red Star Belgrade’s history but also the most expensive acquisition in the history of Serbian football.
The once Rangers linked playmaker went some way to repaying that record-setting investment when Manchester City touched down in the Serbian capital too, Hwang’s second goal for ‘Crvena Zvezda’ coming against none other than Pep Guardiola’s treble-winners.
Rangers scouted Red Star Belgrade ace
Hwang picked up possession at the edge of the box, played a clever one-two around the Man City defence, and fizzed a cool finish past Stefan Ortega and into the far corner.
It was a goal which brought to mind the comments Andi Herzog made a few months ago, South Korea’s assistant coach labelling Hwang a midfielder of ‘many gifts’
“In-Beom is a player who stands out,” said Herzog, who works alongside Jurgen Klinsmann in Far East Asia.
“He has very good skills in keeping the ball but also distributing it, making a play. He has a wide range of skills and moves on the field. Creative with his passes, a very good sense of how he makes his transitions. Quick thinking and judgement, but also technique.
“He is a midfielder with many gifts. A central midfielder that we and every team should have.”
Champions League goal against Man City
According to Greek reporter Georgios Sieridiss on Twitter, Rangers sent scouts to watch 27-year-old Hwang in action for Olympiakos last season.
The Glasgow giants would eventually bring in Jose Cifuentes from Los Angeles FC instead, however, though the Ecuadorian’s impact – or a lack thereof – cannot hold a candle to that of Hwang’s at Red Star Belgrade.
