Nicolas Kuhn started the season in superb form, delivering key goals and assists, but his performances have tailed off since the turn of the year.
In 2025, he has three goals and one assist in the league, and a single goal in the Champions League which did come away to Bayern Munich. [Transfermarkt]
Former Celtic midfielder Peter Grant believes Kuhn’s dip in form started after Celtic’s League Cup final win over Rangers in December.
Despite scoring in that final, Grant feels the German winger hasn’t been the same player since, and his performance in Sunday’s Glasgow Derby defeat was further proof of his struggles.
The winger was hooked at halftime, with Adam Idah replacing him and Maeda going out on the wing.
Speaking on Go Radio, Grant questioned Kuhn’s attitude and effort, particularly when tracking back to help his teammates.
“I said to you for a few weeks, I think from the Rangers cup final, when Jefte got booked against him and he never ran at him after that.
“I think he is probably the one, what I would say, a Nicolas Kuhn game, he isn’t taking people on and going direct at them in one-v-one situations.
“I have seen a few times, I saw Alistair Johnston run by him to get back and I wasn’t surprised then that he got taken off.
“Johnston ran by him. Kuhn gave the ball away. Johnston has done an underlap, as he does. He has given the ball away and Johnston runs by him to get back. That’s the difference. You have got to show a desire win, lose or draw. You have to give everything.”
With Newcastle United and Brentford showing interest in Kuhn, speculation has already begun over his future.
The winger joined Celtic a year ago, but if his form doesn’t improve, some might wonder if his focus is elsewhere as the summer transfer window approaches.
Celtic will be looking for him to rediscover his early-season spark, especially with big games ahead in the title run-in.
