NICOLAS KUHN stepped into the Champions League spotlight with a devastating double salvo in Celtic’s 3-1 triumph over RB Leipzig under the lights in the east end of Glasgow on Fireworks Night.
The illuminating display by the German winger has triggered the anticipated transfer speculation with the player’s value soaring from the £3million he cost when he joined from Rapid Vienna in January.
Another performer in vogue at the moment is Motherwell’s Lennon Miller who caught the eye in his side’s 3-0 loss to the champions at Fir Park at the tail-end of last month.
JOY BHOY…Nicolas Kuhn races away in triumph after netting his second goal against RB Leipzig.
With the game goalless, the 20-year-old midfielder rattled Kasper Schmeichel’s woodwork twice as the visitors took some time to get into their stride.
Former Hoops goal hero Chris Sutton reckons it would “make sense for Celtic to make a move” for the highly-rated prospect in the January transfer window.
And the one-time England international striker also believes Brendan Rodgers and the Parkhead hierarchy will be in no rush to see Kuhn exit through the revolving door.
Sutton said: “Nicolas Kuhn has made a superb start to the season and his performances will have plenty of clubs taking notice.
“We’re not even halfway through the season, but it’s not inconceivable there will be concrete interests in January. What is inconceivable is Celtic allowing him to go at that stage.
“Listen, I understand money talks and if a head-spinning £30million offer comes in, then it will give food for thought. But Celtic are in a strong position and under no pressure to sell.
“They will be in no hurry – and neither should Kuhn be. He’s at a big club, he’s playing in the Champions League and he’s in the form of his life.
KNOCK ON WOOD: ONE…Lennon Miller fires in a drive that strikes Celtic’s right-hand post in the champions’ 3-0 win at Fir Park last month. Paulo Bernardo gets a close-up view.
KNOCK ON WOOD: TWO…Lennon Miller leaves Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel standing with a free-kick that thumps against the bar.
“Why risk that at this point? Kuhn will know there will be a time when Celtic will cash in and agree to let him go.
“He only needs to look at the Matt O’Riley situation. O’Riley may have been tempted by the likes of Atletico Madrid and Atalanta, but Celtic remained firm in their valuation and the player kept his head down and kept working hard for the side.
“Eventually he and the club got their rewards.’
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “It’ll be the same for Kuhn. The way he’s going, he’s a cert for Player of the Year in Scotland and he’s going to be competing for silverware and against the top sides in Europe.
“There’s no need for him to jump ship right now. Sit tight and keep progressing and the big move will come.
“It’s still early days, but Kuhn already looks destined to become the next record-breaking transfer fee and while I’d be stunned if he left in January, I wouldn’t be shocked if he does eventually go for even more than O’Riley, Jota and Kieran Tierney’s £25million fees.
“Big money is on the way for the German – but just not yet.”
Looking at Miller’s situation at Fir Park, Sutton added: “I can understand where people are coming from. He’s clearly a top prospect and arguably the best young player in Scotland.
“Of course, Celtic will know all about him. They would be silly not to be keeping tabs on him.
“Miller has played more than 50 games for Motherwell and has been a stand-out in most of them. There was an impressive performance against Celtic recently in there, too – and that will not have gone unnoticed by Brendan Rodgers.
“The issue for Miller – and Celtic – is whether he would get in the team right now. You’ve got to say that wouldn’t be the case.
“Luke McCowan has done superbly well since arriving from Dundee and he looks every inch a Celtic player. But you could argue he’s fifth in line for a midfielder slot at the moment – with Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Arne Engels and Paulo Bernardo all in front of him.
“Is Miller going to nudge any of them out right now? Unlikely.
THREE v ONE…Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller is on the ball as Hoops trio Luke McCowan, Alex Valle and Paulo Bernardo look on.
“He’s definitely one for the future, though. The key for him is playing every week. That’s why I can see the merit in signing him now and loaning him out, either back at Motherwell or somewhere else.
“There have been various numbers banded around and it seems £5million might be the figure. That might sound a lot for a development player, but it’s not really. Celtic can afford it.”
There are still six weeks to go until the transfer window re-opens and there will be speculation all the way.
Celtic have done good business in January in recent times with Ange Postecoglou bringing in the likes of Hatate, O’Riley and Daizen Maeda in 2022 and Alistair Johnston the following year.
Rodgers, of course, signed Kuhn at the turn of the year while he also fixed up Republic of Ireland international frontman Adam Idah on a short-term loan from Norwich City that was converted to a £9.5million permanent switch in the summer.
Who’s next? Watch this space!
