NICOLAS KUHN has been a headline act with his eye-catching performances that have brought him six goals and eight assists since the start of the season.
The German winger had a false start to his Celtic career following his £3million arrival from Rapid Vienna in January.
However, he has illuminated Hoops performances this time out with the sort of dazzling form that enticed Brendan Rodgers to bring him to the champions.
However, Kuhn was more than happy to step out of the spotlight for the sake of the team in the Champions League matchday three encounter against Atalanta in Bergamo in midweek.
THE CHASE…Nicolas Kuhn puts the pressure on Atalanta captain Marten de Roon.
The one-time Byern Munich and Ajax prospect sacrificed his natural attacking urges to help out right-back Alistair Johnston to nullify the menace of star man Ademola Lookman on the left, an unselfish act highlighted by CQN in an aftermatch report.
Reflecting on the scoreless stalemate, Kuhn said: “It was a great point for us. It was much different to what we’re used to.
“We had to defend really deep and we’ve had a bit of fun already between me with Ali joking that I’m the new right-back!
“There was a lot of defensive work, but I think we did well. After Dortmund, we had to do much better and we showed we learned the lesson.
“I think it was just a good game for us. The coach also said it after the game.”
Johnston was on thin ice in Italy after picking up a booking in the eighth minute and the Canadian international No.2 was aware one more perceived indiscretion would see him banished by a referee who had red-carded team-mates Liam Scales and Odin Holm in the side’s 2-0 loss to Feyenoord in Rotterdam last season.
Kuhn tucked in beside his colleague and, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Ali is an experienced player.
MATCHWINNER…Nicolas Kuhn celebrates the late points-clincher against Ross County in Dingwall.
“He knows when to go and when not, so from the beginning it was clear that, especially Daizen Maeda and I, we had to help out, because they overloaded the side with three, sometimes four players.
“We had to be concentrated the whole game. I think that’s what we did until the end.
“Everyone was focused and defended with everything we’d got, so at the end for me it’s a deserved point.”
The impressive wide Bhoy now has his sights set on RB Leipzig a week on Tuesday at Parkhead and added: “The only thing we have to learn now is to be calm with the ball and maybe create more chances.
“I think the possibility was there.
“Hopefully, in the next game we will do better.”