Nicolas Kuhn reality check after Celtic transfer laid bare by teammate as winger picks up 'peacock' lesson

Alistair Johnston has been in Glasgow long enough to know it’s no place for shy and retiring types. And the Canada defender reckons the penny has dropped for Nicolas Kuhn that he needs to be a peacock if he wants to stand out for Celts.

Johnston has ruffled a few feathers himself since landing in Scotland 18 months ago and he can see signs the winger in front of him is starting to bloom too, with some fans a little too quick to write the German off as more of a feather duster last term. Kuhn has made a stunning start to the season with a couple of goals and assists in the opening two wins for the Hoops as Brendan Rodgers’ men began with a bang against Kilmarnock and Hibs. The former Ajax and Bayern Munich kid – who was snapped up from Rapid Vienna for £3m in January – took his time to settle after arriving undercooked following dental surgery.

But he’s up and running now – and starting to strut his stuff. Johnston said: “You’re in it when you’re up here. You’re in a fishbowl in Glasgow. So you’ve got to be ready for that. Every single guy that we’ve brought in, and even if they are quiet personalities like Nic, for example, I think he’s learned over these past six months that he’s got to be a peacock a little bit – go out there, be confident.

“And when you do that, you’re going to play some good football and you’re going to be loved here. Kasper’s a great example of that. Joe (Hart) was an unbelievably big personality, both on and off the pitch. I was kind of curious to see how they would fill that role, just not only the actual goalkeeper position, but just the void it would be, just the personality, and the presence that he had in the changing room.

“So to bring in someone like Kasper, he’s been a perfect fit in that