Brendan Rodgers, Celtic’s manager, has opened up about winger Nicolas Kuhn’s troubles since joining the club from Rapid Vienna in January.
Signed for three and a half million euros (Transfermarkt), many anticipated the 24-year-old to make an immediate impression, but he did anything but.
Aside from a deflected strike away at Aberdeen in a disappointing 1-1 draw, Kuhn’s early Celtic performances left much to be desired.
In Yang’s absence on Sunday, he received the nod on the right side and looked forward to the challenge. Despite the fact that he was playing against Livingston, the German young international was keen to take on his opponent and remained active when he received the ball.
He assisted Daizen Maeda for the Hoops’ opener and created many other opportunities.
Post-match, Rodgers spoke about the attacker, admitting he lost over a stone when he first joined the Celts because he had just returned from a winter break in Austria: “When he first came in, he was in the midst of his break, and I think he said he’d lost seven kilos,” said the boss (RecordSport).
“To lose over a stone, I think he found that he’d lost his strength and his running capacity.
“Nicolas is just starting to settle in. You see, he was a little more positive, in the first half in particular, and he did well.
“I think he feels great now. He’s still got a bit of work to do.
“But I think you saw that much more aggressive approach in his game, in one versus ones, taking people on, finding the pass for Daizen’s goal. So yes, that’s more of what we want to see. It’s just adaption. He’ll progress, I’m sure, in his time, but that was very good.”
Celtic cannot afford to have any passengers in the team as the season approaches a critical point.
Previously, Kuhn may have been one of those, but at the weekend, he stepped up to the plate and delivered the quality expected of a player of his ability.
If he can maintain such consistency in his performances from now until the end of the season, things will only get better.
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