Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has called on those out with the Bhoys’ established group of difference-makers to step up and make an impact against Rangers on Sunday.
Brendan Rodgers’ side travel to Ibrox for a derby they know they can’t lose to keep the title race in their own hands throughout this final stretch of matches.
Many of the group heading across the city have stepped up and made themselves counted in this derby before. Kyogo Furuhashi, Callum McGregor and Cameron Carter-Vickers have all been big performers against Rangers in recent seasons.
Rodgers has also enjoyed incredible success against them, including masterminding two derby victories this term.
However, Sutton thinks the key figures in the upcoming derby may well come outside of this celebrated group, including one of this year’s January transfer window signings.
Chris Sutton on Celtic vs Rangers
The outspoken pundit said [Daily Record]: “Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn don’t readily jump out as the major figures in Celtic’s set-up heading to Ibrox. But I really believe that pair could hold the key to success for Brendan Rodgers’ team on Sunday.
“I can see a variety of scenarios when Rodgers’ team are able to break at pace and have three-on-three situations and this is where Maeda and Kuhn are vital. The Japanese has that extra string to his bow which makes him doubly crucial in this game because he gets about James Tavernier.
“Maeda has the running power to track him, the hunger to stop him. He did it in the first game of the season at Ibrox. I suspect the Rangers captain won’t be able to help himself being positive and that is where Maeda, and Kuhn on the other side, have to sparkle.
“The German can do the same things to Ridvan Yilmaz. Force him back into his own territory and have him running towards his own goal. I’ve no doubt that Maeda and Kuhn are going to be released by quick ball on various occasions when Celtic’s quality players get a hold of it.
“You hate harking back to the past, but even recently, Jota and Liel Abada were experts at dismantling Rangers from these wide areas. Punishing sloppy defending and using their pace and ability to destroy. It’s now down to Maeda and Kuhn to emulate that. If they do, they might end up every bit as important as the McGregors and Carter-Vickers and be the matchwinners for Celtic.”
Nicolas Kuhn well-placed to announce himself as new Celtic hero
Kuhn had difficulties in initial performances for Celtic, something attributed to illness and fitness issues before he arrived at the club.
However, he started to turn around negative perceptions against Livingston in the Scottish Cup and has followed that up with two excellent showings against St Johnstone and away to Livi in the Premiership.
He’s shown signs he can be an effective winger for Celtic and Sunday will undoubtedly be his biggest test yet. If he does well, as Sutton predicts, the supporters will have a new hero to celebrate on their hands.
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