It might seem harsh to call Nicolas Kuhn a surprise package in the Celtic ranks this season given Brendan Rodgers spent £3m to prise the winger from Rapid Vienna in January.
The move created little fanfare or excitement, but 10 months later the 24-year-old has become one of the most important players in the Celtic team and is being linked with a move to the English top flight.
His player-of-the-match performance in a 3-1 victory against RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on Tuesday will do nothing to cool that interest either.
Kuhn scored two goals and played a key role in setting up the third as Celtic came from behind to win a Champions League game for the first time since 2007.
‘Nicolas, show us what you’ve got!’
Manager Rodgers used to repeatedly deliver one message to the German winger at half-time of matches last season, according to former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart.
“You could see Nicolas second-guessing himself at times last season, but Brendan always believed,” Hart said on TNT Sports. “You would hear him at half-time saying to him, ‘Nicolas, show us what you’ve got’.
“He’s showing Rodgers now. He looks right at home in these situations and really effective on these Champions League occasions.”
Speaking after the Leipzig game, Kuhn suggested that the difference this term has been a full pre-season.
“When I came in, it was a little bit difficult,” Kuhn said. “The staff and my team-mates give me the feeling of being important. Now I can show what what I’m able to do.”
It was not all easy for Celtic and Kuhn on Tuesday. After an Arne Engels shot in the opening minute, they did not have another attempt on goal until the 35th minute.
That was Kuhn’s cushioned, curled, clipped finish from the edge of the box that left Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi stranded and put Celtic on the path to victory.
“Of course it’s a shot,” Kuhn said. “I went on one of my dribbles, saw the shot and shoot. It’s what dreams are made of – even better to score against my old club.”
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