The aftermath of Celtic’s clash with Rangers on Sunday continues to generate significant discussion, with many talking points and reactions still circulating.
The match itself surprised many, as a Rangers team led by Barry Ferguson managed to defeat Celtic at Parkhead, marking their first win there in five years. While the outcome was a shock to some, it’s widely accepted that Celtic’s Premiership title is all but secured, and the Treble is within reach for Brendan Rodgers’ side. If Rodgers can guide his team past St Johnstone, and then either Aberdeen or Hearts in the Scottish Cup, the historic treble will likely be theirs.
However, despite the growing success and impending silverware, there remains room for criticism, particularly regarding the performance of certain players, especially those who have been underperforming for some time. One player who continues to stand out, for the right reasons, is Daizen Maeda, who is expected to take home Player of the Year honors by the end of the season.
Up until the New Year, Nicolas Kuhn was also in the conversation for individual accolades, but his form has significantly dropped off since then. Peter Grant addressed Kuhn’s decline in form after Celtic’s loss to Rangers, offering his perspective on the issue.
Grant believes Kuhn’s dip in performance has been evident since Celtic’s League Cup final victory over Rangers in December. Despite Celtic’s win in that match, where Kuhn scored a goal, Grant feels the player’s momentum has been lost, and his struggles have continued into 2025. One moment that stood out for Grant was when Kuhn failed to make a strong impact after being challenged by Jefte in the League Cup final, noting that Kuhn didn’t attempt to take on his defender after being booked.
In a conversation with Go Radio, Grant shared his thoughts on the matter, stating, “I’ve said it for a few weeks now, I think it started from the Rangers cup final. After Jefte got booked against him, Kuhn didn’t seem to run at him or challenge him the same way anymore.” Grant also pointed out that Kuhn has been avoiding one-on-one duels and hasn’t been as direct in his play, which was one of the standout qualities of his game earlier in the season.
On whether Kuhn is putting in enough work on the field, Grant added, “There have been times when I’ve seen Alistair Johnston sprint past him to track back, and I wasn’t surprised when Kuhn was subbed off against Rangers.” He continued, “Johnston made an underlap after Kuhn lost the ball. Johnston sprinted past him to recover. That’s the difference. No matter the result, you have to show a desire and put in the effort.”
Despite the recent downturn in his performances, Kuhn’s season overall has still been impressive. Since joining Celtic midway through the previous season, he has made significant strides in his development. He has scored 18 goals and registered 13 assists across all competitions, including three goals in the Champions League. This is a remarkable improvement from his earlier days at the club.
However, since the start of 2025, Kuhn’s spark seems to have dimmed, with his performances lacking the same level of intensity and impact that he previously displayed. As a result, it wouldn’t be surprising if Brendan Rodgers decides to drop Kuhn from the starting lineup after the international break, especially given the competition for spots in the team.
In summary, while Nicolas Kuhn’s overall season has been strong, his recent struggles have raised concerns. The drop-off in his performances, particularly since the League Cup final, has been notable, and it’s clear that improvements are needed if he is to regain his early-season form.
