Why Nicolas Kuhn did not play for Celtic vs Dundee United after late pre-match change

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic were forced into a late change just before kick-off this evening.

Brendan Rodgers had named his Hoops XI to face Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership at Parkhead and made no changes from the side which beat St Mirren last weekend.

That meant double goal scorer Nicolas Kuhn was picked to play on the right-flank where he has been outstanding this term.

• READ MORE: Celtic fans bite back at Brendan Rodgers’ Kieran Tierney chant moans with ex-player song book

Kuhn has become one of Celtic’s best providers while his stats speak for themselves as he sits on 16 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for his club.

The German took a whack vs Rangers from a Jefte elbow which only brought about a booking when it could have been a red.

But that did not stop him netting a brace in a comfortable 3-0 win for Celts over the Buddies on Sunday.

This evening, though – just before kick-off – Kuhn was deemed unable to take to the field and it was Hyun-jun Yang who played in front of him despite being named on the bench.

Fans and pundits were left scratching their heads at the swap.

Kuhn pulled up with what looks like a thigh injury before Celtic vs Dundee United

But now manager Celtic TV have revealed Kuhn suffered a knock in the warm-up after the team lines had been distributed.

And that forced his hand for the clash with the Terrors.

Speaking on the club’s official TV channel, Peter Grant addressed the moment which was caught on camera, showing Kuhn clutching his thigh.

And Grant respected the playmaker for making the “correct decision” by letting manager Brendan Rodgers know he had to sit out.

Kuhn made the ‘mature decision’ with his injury, says Peter Grant

“It looks as if it’s his right thigh,” Grant said.

“You can’t take any chances on either thigh or the hamstrings.

“You can’t run it off, if it’s a tear he could miss up to six weeks, so he has made the right decision.

“He’s made the correct decision, the mature decision, because as soon as you feel that, it’s the biggest muscle.

“So it takes the longest to heal.”