Brendan Rodgers explains Nicolas Kuhn form drop-off as Celtic boss sets winger challenge

Add as preferred source on Google

Brendan Rodgers has addressed Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn’s difficulties in recent weeks.

Kuhn was easily Celtic’s best performing player up until the turn of the year as he shone in both the Premiership and Champions League stages.

The £2.8m German delivered 15 goal contributions in 17 league games until the beginning of January. But since then, his impact on the right wing has faded.

Chris Sutton has questioned Kuhn’s attitude and warned the player that his transfer stock will fall if he doesn’t get his act together.

Kuhn was hooked at half-time against St Johnstone and Rodgers was fuming with his players for slipping up and delaying Celtic’s impending title party.

• READ MORE: Kyogo’s Celtic and Rennes weekly wage compared as L’Equipe also reveal Jota salary

Nicolas Kuhn has had ‘really, really long season’ for Celtic

Rodgers was quizzed on Kuhn’s form at his press conference on Friday as the Bhoys prepare to face Kilmarnock on Saturday afternoon live on Sky Sports.

Acknowledging the former Rapid Wien star is in a difficult moment, Rodgers said: “Yeah, it is.”

“But Nicolas has got fantastic ability, he’s a good guy and probably one of those players coming off the back of this with the most games he’s ever played, the most intensity he’s played in, the most goals he’s scored.

“So it’s been a really, really long season for the likes of him, and he’s been outstanding for us. But yeah, listen, my priority is always the players.

“I’m always there to give them support, to give them the little jolt that they need, to put an arm around them and protect them when it’s needed.

“But nah, listen, he’s done fantastic for us and I want him and the others to finish the season really strong and then they can go into the summer and feel good about themselves.”

Kuhn’s Celtic stats so far this season

Of course, Rodgers will protect his players from media scrutiny – but he’ll know deep down that Kuhn hasn’t been good enough in recent weeks.

He was also taken off at half-time against Rangers for failing to make a serious impact on the derby and hasn’t scored since the Bayern Munich clash in the Champions League.

Kuhn could perhaps do with some time out of the Celtic team, however that might be a little more difficult with Yang’s recent injury.

Couple that with Daizen Maeda occupying the central striker role, Rodgers doesn’t have much choice but to persist with Kuhn.

The same goes for Jota on the other side of the pitch, who hasn’t quite provided the magic he did during his first spell in Glasgow.