NICOLAS KUHN scored on his Celtic debut after his £3million arrival from Rapid Vienna in January.
The winger came on as a second-half substitute and claimed the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie on February 3.
Following the promising Hoops baptism, only two other strikes were recorded by the German touchline ace – one in in a 3-1 league win over St Johnstone at Parkhead on March 16 and another in the 3-3 Scottish Cup semi-final draw with the Dons at Hampden just over a month later.
Kuhn was so far out of the picture that he didn’t make the starting line-up for the silverware showcase against Philippe Clement’s Ibrox outfit at the national stadium on May 25 with evergreen James Forrest getting the nod from Brendan Rodgers.
PICK IT OUT…Nicolas Kuhn whips Celtic’s second goal past helpless Kilmarnock keeper Robby McCrorie.
The January recruit did come on as a substitute for the Scotland international in the second-half when Adam Idah thumped in the matchwinner to seal the league and Cup double.
Emphasising Kuhn’s reinvigoration at Parkhead, he surpassed his total of his first half-season at the Hoops – in the space of nine days.
The exciting raider scored a single in the 6-0 Premier Sports League Cup-semi-final rout of the previously-unbeaten Pittodrie team last weekend, netted a double against RB Leipzig in the 3-1 Champions League success in Glasgow on Tuesday and sealed the 2-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park yesterday.
Kuhn displayed class and composure as he raced onto an astute through pass from Alistair Johnston, turned opponent David Watson inside out and then supplied a sublime finish to flummox keeper Robby McCrorie.
The touchline ace is beginning to look like a bargain at £3million and the strike in Ayrshire was his tenth goal of the campaign.
And Kuhn revealed it was chats with his manager that has brought about the remarkable transformation.
WIZARD OF THE WING…Nicolas Kuhn in action at Rugby Park.
Speaking of Rodgers’ role in his startling development, the 24-year-old flanker said: “That was one of the reasons I came here, because we had some really good talks.
“The Boss wanted to bring me more into the dangerous areas and bring my numbers up.
“In the years before, I created a lot, but getting the numbers was important for me.
“Scoring gives you confidence and it’s always a nice feeling to score, and also with our supporters, it’s amazing.
“Every time I come on the pitch and I hear the song, it’s really nice. It’s a moment you dream of as a kid and I’m really grateful.”
Reflecting on the victory on Killie’s notorious plastic pitch, Kuhn, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “It was really good, I enjoyed the play. It was just really nice with my team-mates, everyone enjoyed it.
“It’s not easy on this surface, it was quite difficult, but we stayed calm and when we got our chances, we took them.
“After I missed the first big chance, I knew I had to do better, so I was really focused to get into the box and finish it off.
“I think with the quality we have in the team, they make it easy for me in my situations, and, after the full pre-season, I’ve just shown what’s inside of me.”
Kuhn and some of his team-mates can now take a well-deserved breather during the international break.
However, the points-collecting business in the quest for a fourth successive title – Celtic’s 55th crown in their history – starts again against Hearts at Tynecastle a week on Saturday with a 7.45pm kick-off.
