Kim Min-Su has been rewarded for his current form at Rangers with his first senior South Korea call-up, less than 24 hours after being involved in the club's emphatic Old Firm victory over Celtic.
The Rangers attacking midfielder was named in interim boss Miguel Moreno's 30-man squad for South Korea's upcoming fixtures against Ecuador, Uruguay, Venezuela and Uzbekistan.
And Moreno made it clear that present form, rather than reputation or past achievements, was central to his selection process.
Ibrox form lands Min-Su Korea call up
The South Korea interim boss said: "Players' current form is more important than what they did in the past."
Moreno has handed Min-Su his first senior international call-up after the 20-year-old’s impressive start to life at Ibrox.
The Rangers playmaker is one of three players selected for the first time, alongside Incheon United defender Kim Geon-hui and Gimcheon Sangmu midfielder Park Tae-jun.
Explaining what he was looking for when putting together his squad, Moreno added: "I prefer players who can contribute to both offense and defense. And when I look them in the eye, I want to be able to feel their passion for the national team."
Min-Su earns call up ahead of 1700 others
Moreno claimed he analysed data on around 1,700 Korean players before settling on his 30-man squad, with Min-Su's performances for Derek McInnes ultimately helping him force his way into contention.
Min-Su was part of the Rangers squad that defeated Celtic 3-0 at Ibrox, with Dan Neil scoring twice and Kevin Kelsy also finding the net, Min-Su himself coming close in the first half before Hoops’ defender Liam Scales cleared his goalbound effort off the line.
Now, less than a day after the Old Firm triumph over Martin O’Neill’s side, Min-Su has received his first opportunity to represent South Korea at senior level.
A month with Korea
Moreno will take charge of the ‘Taegeuk Warriors’ for their next four matches, beginning with Ecuador on September 24 before games against Uruguay, Venezuela and Uzbekistan.
Min-Su's inclusion provides further evidence that his recent performances have not gone unnoticed, with the caretaker South Korea boss specifically placing current form ahead of past reputation when making his selection.
Korea will host Ecuador on September 24, Uruguay on September 28, Venezuela on October 2 and Uzbekistan on October 6, with Min-Su expected back for the Gers home clash with Neil McCann’s Kilmarnock on October 10 following the international break.
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