Nicolas Kuhn’s Ascent at Celtic: From January Signing to Key Player

Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn recently scored two goals against RB Leipzig. While Brendan Rodgers’ £3 million acquisition of Kuhn from Rapid Vienna in January might suggest he shouldn’t be considered a surprise, his initial arrival generated minimal enthusiasm. However, ten months on, the 24-year-old has emerged as a crucial member of the Celtic squad and is now reportedly attracting interest from English top-flight clubs. His player-of-the-match display during Celtic’s 3-1 win over RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on Tuesday is unlikely to diminish this growing interest. Kuhn contributed two goals and was instrumental in creating the third, as Celtic achieved a comeback victory in a Champions League match, a feat they had not accomplished since 2007. According to former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart, manager Rodgers consistently conveyed a specific message to the German winger during half-time intervals last season. “You could see Nicolas second-guessing himself at times last season, but Brendan always believed,” Hart stated on TNT Sports. “You would hear him at half-time saying to him, ‘Nicolas, show us what you’ve got’.” He is now demonstrating this to Rodgers, appearing comfortable and highly effective in these high-pressure Champions League fixtures. Following the match against Leipzig, Kuhn attributed his improved performance this season to having completed a full pre-season training period. “When I came in, it was a little bit difficult,” Kuhn commented. “The staff and my team-mates give me the feeling of being important. Now I can show what what I’m able to do.” The match on Tuesday presented challenges for both Celtic and Kuhn. Following an early shot from Arne Engels in the opening minute, Celtic did not register another attempt on goal until the 35th minute. This attempt was Kuhn’s precise, curled, and clipped finish from the edge of the penalty area, which left Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi unable to react and set Celtic on course for their win. “Of course it’s a shot,” Kuhn stated. “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.” Kuhn spent a portion of his youth career within the Leipzig system before Ajax acquired him in 2018 for £1.7 million. Subsequently, he transferred to Bayern Munich, initially on loan, without having made a first-team appearance for Ajax. He also never played for Bayern Munich’s first team. However, he is now making a significant impact at the highest level. His initial goal against Leipzig appears to be the kind that Celtic supporters will discuss for many years. “There was a confidence and he’s one of those players who seem to have more time than anyone else,” former Scotland forward Pat Nevin observed on Sportsound. “There’s a reason for it. It’s because he’s not having to look at the ball. He knows everything that’s around him before it comes to him – and he knows how to develop space.” Nevin added that performing this in the final third is particularly challenging, yet Kuhn seemed to have a clear intention well in advance of his actions. Kuhn’s second goal, while effective, was not as individually spectacular. Instead, he positioned himself effectively to tap the ball in from close range after a well-executed team play. “More and more, Kuhn is reminding me of Jota,” commented Tom English, BBC Sport Scotland chief sports writer. “The way he moves, his influence in games, his ability to score goals in volumes but scoring great goals as well.” English continued, “He’s become an absolutely essential player in this team. You couldn’t tire watching that [first goal]. He just cushions it in from a mile out – if you can do such a thing.” With his second goal, Kuhn achieved a distinction not seen since Roy Aitken in October 1979 against Partizani Tirana, becoming the first Celtic player to score two goals in the first half of a Champions League or European Cup match. While perhaps not the most prominent statistic from Celtic’s emphatic victory, it underscores the unusual nature of Kuhn’s accomplishment and his current excellent form. Aiden McGeady, another former Celtic winger, summarized the situation on the Scottish Football Podcast, stating: “I think the outstanding player in Scottish football this season has been Nicolas Kuhn. Every time he’s on the pitch, he impacts the game.” Although it might be premature to nickname him ‘Saint Nick’, should he maintain this level of performance, Celtic supporters may find he is no longer with the club beyond December.