Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

It might seem harsh to call Nicolas Kuhn a surprise package in the Celtic ranks this season given Brendan Rodgers spent £3m to prise the winger from Rapid Vienna in January.

The move created little fanfare or excitement, but 10 months later the 24-year-old has become one of the most important players in the Celtic team and is being linked with a move to the English top flight.

Kuhn scored two goals and played a key role in setting up the third as Celtic beat RB Leipzig 3-1, coming from behind to win a Champions League game for the first time since 2007.

Manager Brendon Rodgers used to repeatedly deliver one message to the German winger last season, according to former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart.

“You could see Nicolas second-guessing himself at times last season, but Brendan always believed,” Hart said on TNT Sports. “You would hear him at half-time saying to him, ‘Nicolas, show us what you’ve got’.

“He’s showing Rodgers now. He looks right at home in these situations and really effective on these Champions League occasions.”

Speaking after the Leipzig game, Kuhn suggested that the difference this term has been a full pre-season.

“When I came in, it was a little bit difficult,” Kuhn said. “The staff and my team-mates give me the feeling of being important. Now I can show what what I’m able to do.”

Read more on Nicolas Kuhn here

Image source, Getty Images