Rapid Vienna CEO Steffen Hofmann has delivered a stark message to Celtic fans, advising them to enjoy Nicolas Kuhn while they still can, as the winger looks destined for a lucrative move in the near future.
The 24-year-old German, once on Bayern Munich’s books, arrived at Celtic in January for a £3 million fee. After a slow start in Glasgow, Kuhn has developed into one of the club’s standout performers this season.
So far, he has registered six goals and eight assists in just 11 appearances across all competitions, cementing his place as a key asset under Brendan Rodgers.
Kuhn’s rise has caught the attention of many, reminding observers why the Bundesliga giants had once rated him so highly. His recent form has sparked suggestions that he could follow in the footsteps of former Celtic stars like Jota and Matt O’Riley by securing a big-money transfer away from Parkhead.
Although Kuhn has committed to Celtic with a long-term contract running until 2029, Hofmann believes it is only a matter of time before the winger is prised away by a wealthier suitor. Speaking candidly, the Vienna chief admitted that he had initially opposed Kuhn’s move to Scotland.
“I helped broker the deal that took Nic to Celtic and when they made their first move I advised him not to go. I was dead against it and I fought tooth and nail to keep him at the club as I wanted him to stay with Rapid Vienna,” Hofmann told The Celtic Way.
“In his first year with Rapid, he was injured a fair bit but now he is flying at Celtic and scoring all the time, and that is the player I wanted Nic to be for Rapid.”
Hofmann was open about his disappointment when Kuhn left the Austrian club, feeling that the young talent had the potential to aim even higher. However, he now concedes that the move to Celtic was a smart decision for the winger’s development.
“I was not happy with the transfer to Celtic, if I am being honest, because I felt he was a player who could take his career to a higher level. I was not happy when Nic left Rapid Vienna but I was happy for him.
“I am so happy for Nic as I know now that he made the right career move by joining Celtic. I spoke to him a few weeks ago and he is delighted with how everything is going in Scotland. He has won the Scottish Premiership and the Scottish Cup, and he is playing in the Champions League. He couldn’t be happier.”
Despite Kuhn’s current success, Hofmann believes that Celtic will soon face a dilemma. The Austrian executive expects the winger to attract serious interest from clubs south of the border, hinting that the Scottish champions will eventually have to deal with the same difficult decision Rapid Vienna faced.
“The biggest question for me now is how long will Nic stay at Celtic?” Hofmann pondered. “Celtic should enjoy him for as long as they have him. I am sure there will be potential suitors and clubs interested in his services from England lining up soon enough.
“It won’t be long before Celtic will be having the same conversations that I had with them when they came in to sign Nic. I think that is normal. It is a natural progression.”
Reflecting on Kuhn’s career trajectory, Hofmann acknowledged that both Rapid Vienna and Celtic have played pivotal roles in the player’s development. But he made it clear that the German’s journey is far from over.
“Rapid Vienna knows where they are in European football terms, and so do Celtic. Nic made the right step by joining Rapid Vienna, and now he has taken the next correct career step by moving to Celtic.
“All eyes are now focused on Nic and where and when his next big move will be. It will happen to him. He will leave Celtic, trust me on that.”
For now, though, Celtic supporters can revel in Kuhn’s performances, knowing full well that his time in green and white may not last forever.