Celtic boss explains why in-form Nicolas Kuhn was dropped

Nicolas Kuhn had an average start to life as a Celtic player after being signed last winter. The German winger had his moments in the second half of the 23/24 campaign but overall, he was not able to establish himself as a starter in Brendan Rodgers' plans. By the end of last season, he had slipped behind James Forrest in the pecking order.

Things have changed for Kuhn this season though. He looks like a completely different player from the one we saw in the previous campaign.

He looked brilliant in pre-season and has carried that form into competitive games as well. His output has been stellar to say the very least. In the first three games of the season, he managed to score 3 goals and provide 2 assists.

Yet, Kuhn was on the bench as Celtic took on St Mirren in the Premiership. And it looks like it is down to a fitness issue he is facing at the moment, although it does not feel serious as he is still available as a substitute.

Celtic boss explains why in-form Nicolas Kuhn was dropped from starting XI

As tweeted out by Sky Sports Scotland, Rodgers said about Kuhn while speaking ahead of the match against St Mirren:

"He hasn’t trained all week. He had a slight issue with his back. He has done some sort of gentle jogging and then increased his level yesterday. So, he wasn’t fit enough to start the game we feel but he has made a really good start and I’m sure at some point today he will make an impact on the game."

Kuhn has added a new dimension to this Celtic team this season. One can only that he can maintain this level of performance and this does not turn out to be just a purple patch of form.

There is a reason that Kuhn has been at clubs like Bayern Munich, Ajax and RB Leipzig throughout the course of his career. Although it did not work out for him at any of those places, the German winger's potential has never been in question. And now, it looks like he is starting to fulfil some of it.