Celtic can soon profit on star whose value has soared 100%

The primary section of the brand new Champions League format could solely be at its midpoint, however Scottish champions Celtic already regarded effectively positioned to progress into not less than the playoff rounds, having picked up seven factors from 4 outings in Europe’s premier competitors.

Perched properly above the likes of Actual Madrid and Bayern Munich, no much less, the Outdated Agency giants have well-deserved their improved fortunes on the continental stage, having powered to victories over each Slovan Bratislava and – extra impressively – RB Leipzig, whereas additionally holding agency away to a rampant Atalanta facet.

There was that evening in Dortmund, but that harrowing affair seems like being one thing of an anomaly relatively than the norm this time round, with Brendan Rodgers having usual a much more aggressive outfit that may correctly problem Europe’s elite.

Entrance of centre of Tuesday’s overcome Leipzig – in addition to the season as far as a complete – has been Nicolas Kuhn, with the German wizard having taken on the mantle of being the Hoops’ new talisman.

Nicholas Kuhn’s season in numbers

Plucked from Speedy Vienna on a £3m deal again in January, it is honest to say that it proved a gradual begin to life in Glasgow for the promising winger, as he ended the marketing campaign with simply three objectives and three assists for his new membership in all competitions.

That bedding-in interval noticed Kuhn compelled to battle it out with long-serving veteran, James Forrest, for a beginning function on the fitting flank, with Rodgers even hailing the Scotsman because the membership’s “greatest winger” again in March. The tables have now certainly turned.

Ever since pre-season – the place the 24-year-old notably bagged a brace in opposition to Manchester Metropolis in July – the previous Germany youth worldwide has been in electrical kind, having now racked up 9 objectives and ten assists already throughout all fronts.

Now trying like the person to fill the goal-scoring and artistic void of Matt O’Riley, Kuhn’s best evening so far undoubtedly got here in midweek, having pulled the hosts degree at Parkhead with a surprising, long-range roller, earlier than finishing the comeback with a well-taken end simply earlier than the break.

The dazzling left-footer really is a pleasure to behold on that right-hand facet, with the hope being that he stays put in Glasgow for the lengthy haul, regardless of stories that “a number of Premier League golf equipment” have already lodged enquiries, in line with German journalist, Florian Plettenberg.

In fact, that nearly laughable €10m (£9m) valuation have to be taken with a pinch of salt, though it does point out the rise that Kuhn has loved in lower than 12 months at Celtic Park, as he seems to observe within the footsteps of the likes of O’Riley and Jota who departed for Scottish report charges.

Whereas a £25m price ticket – which has additionally been mooted for Kuhn amid Brentford curiosity – could seem out of attain for an additional of Rodgers’ shining bunch, it seems as if the Premiership facet will not simply be making a major revenue on Kuhn within the years to return…

The Celtic star whose worth has soared

Whereas Rodgers can take the credit score for the seize of Kuhn, the Northern Irishman should doff the cap to his predecessor, Ange Postecoglou, for the signing of one other of his key lieutenants, within the type of Alistair Johnston.

Signed again in December 2022 amid his commitments for Canada on the World Cup in Qatar, the right-back has swiftly made that £3.5m price appear like one thing of a discount, such is his rising significance in Rodgers’ ranks.

In reality, Johnston’s high quality, ardour and dedication have all been evident ever since he was thrust into the Outdated Agency derby on debut again in January 2023, with it a testomony to his character that not solely was he thrown in on the deep finish by Postecoglou, however that he swam relatively than sank.

The previous Montreal star ended that first marketing campaign with one purpose and two assists to his identify underneath the present Tottenham Hotspur boss, earlier than including one purpose and 7 assists in 2023/24 underneath Rodgers.

Now even tasked with taking over the captain’s armband within the absence of Callum McGregor occasionally, the 26-year-old’s standing and standing has grown even additional within the present marketing campaign, having already matched final season’s tally with eight purpose involvements to this point.

As membership legend Chris Sutton has acknowledged, these “ahead runs” are a “a part of his sport underneath Brendan Rodgers that he has actually improved”, having grow to be an actual outlet behind the rampaging Kuhn.

A return of 4 objectives and two assists in solely ten league outings has maybe seen Johnston firmly surpass a sure James Tavernier because the division’s main right-back, with it no shock that the Canadian continues to draw curiosity, amid the potential prospect of a bumper new deal.

Whereas any form of price ticket has not been famous, the in-form defender is now mentioned to be price round €8.5m (£7m), in line with Transfermarkt, representing a 100% improve on his preliminary £3.5m price.

That rise speaks to the affect he has made in a Celtic shirt so far, with the mix of himself and Kuhn down the fitting flank actually a fruitful – and doubtlessly worthwhile – one for Rodgers and co. Lengthy could it proceed.