NICOLAS KUHN was removed from the action in Sunday’s derby encounter at half-time – and no one was mystified by Brendan Rodger’s decision.
In the first part of the season, the German winger’s non-appearance after the break would have sparked concerns over an injury or some other valid reason for his withdrawal.
However, there was no such puzzle to solve on this occasion with the champions trailing 2-0 to Rangers in an opening period where Kuhn’s involvement bordered on zilch.
The drop-off in form of the player since the turn of the year is simply inexplicable.
HAMPDEN HERO…Nicolas Kuhn races away in triumph after netting the third goal in Celtic’s Premier Sports League Cup victory in December. Grounded Rangers rival Mohamed Diomande appeals to referee John Beaton for an imaginary infringement.
Kuhn, a £3million recruit from Rapid Vienna in January last year, was tearing it up at the start of the campaign and had fired in 14 goals in the opening five months of the crusade.
That is awesome shooting power for a player who performs mainly on the flank and to put it into perspective the tally was four more than Kyogo Furuhashi, the team’s most prolific marksman since he arrived on these shores in a £4.6million switch from Vissel Kobe in July 2021.
Since Kuhn ushered in 2025 with a double in the 3-0 win over St Mirren on January 25, he has contributed just two more strikes – in the 6-0 victory over Dundee on February 5 and the 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich 13 days later.
It’s not such a dip in form as a headlong plunge in the general direction of oblivion.
Would anyone be surprised if Yang Hyun-jun gets the nod ahead of Kuhn when the Premiership restarts against Hearts at Parkhead in 11 days’ time?
AT THE DOUBLE…Nicolas Kuhn celebrates his second goal in Celtic’s 3-1 Champions League victory over RB Leipzig at Parkhead in November. Kyogo Furuhashi is clearly impressed.
Memo to Kuhn: This is the business end of the season. Celtic have eight league games to play before they can celebrate a fourth successive title.
There is a Scottish Cup semi-final to be won against St Johnstone next month in an effort to set up a showpiece grand finale at Hampden on Saturday May 24 against either Hearts or Aberdeen where Celtic can bring down the curtain on another memorably historic season with a ninth treble.
You have already displayed the talents that brought you to Celtic in the first place. It’s now your responsibility to replicate that quality if you have any intention of playing a role between now and the final whistle at the national stadium.
The ball is at your feet. Quite literally.
ALEX GORDON
