It would make sense for Celtic to make a move for Lennon Miller in January – but there would be none whatsoever in cashing in on Nicolas Kuhn.
You know it’s international week when fans start filling the void with transfer talk and all these what-ifs. But there’s also no smoke without fire and there’s been plenty of heat around Motherwell’s prized asset and Celtic’s player of the season so far. In terms of Miller. I can understand where people are coming from. He’s clearly a top prospect and arguably the best young player in Scotland. Of course Celtic will know all about him. They would be silly not to be keeping tabs on him.
Miller has played more than 50 games for Motherwell and has been a stand out in most of them. There was an impressive performance against Celtic recently in there too – and that will not have gone unnoticed by Brendan Rodgers. The issue for Miller – and Celtic – is whether he’d get in the team right now. You’ve got to say that wouldn’t be the case.
You look at Luke McCowan. I think he’s done superbly well since arriving from Dundee and he looks every inch a Celtic player. But you could argue he’s fifth in line for a midfielder slot at the moment – with Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Arne Engels and Paulo Bernardo all in front of him. Is Miller going to nudge any of them out right now? Unlikely.
He’s definitely one for the future though. The key for him is playing every week. That’s why I can see the merit in signing him now and loaning him out, either back at Motherwell or somewhere else. I know it might not be a popular opinion at Fir Park or elsewhere, but I always think the best Scottish players should be moving to Celtic – or Rangers – and the money staying in the country.
When I was at Parkhead, we had the likes of Paul Lambert, Tom Boyd, Jackie McNamara and big Rob Douglas. We also had emerging young players like Shaun Maloney, John Kennedy, David Marshall, Ross Wallace, Craig Beattie and Aidan McGeady, before he switched to Ireland.
You could argue the talent production line has dried up in recent times – and that’s an entire column itself – but there’s still a home grown element with Callum McGregor, James Forrest and Anthony Ralston.
That’s also what I liked about the move for McCowan. Miller would be more of a project player, but that is what Celtic are all about.
There have been various numbers banded around and it seems £5m might be the figure. That might sound a lot for a development player but it’s not really. Celtic can afford it – and they could blow Rangers out of the water if they fancy a look at the youngster.
There’s no way they are going to pay that kind of dosh for a prospect, even if they did get burned with the Lewis Ferguson situation. There was a player they could have snapped up for a song but is now way beyond their means.
Miller might go down a similar route and Celtic might think now’s the time to get him rather than miss the boat and get priced out down the line. It’s not really a burning issue for Rodgers and the Parkhead board right now – and neither should Kuhn’s future.
Like Miller, it’s no surprise to hear about interest in the winger from England and beyond. Kuhn’s made a superb start to the season and performances in the Champions League like his display against RB Leipzig will have plenty of clubs taking notice.
We’re not even halfway through the season but it’s not inconceivable there will be concrete interests in January. What is inconceivable is Celtic allowing him to go at that stage.
Listen, I understand money talks and if a head-spinning £30m offer comes in, then it will give food for thought. But Celtic are in a strong position and under no pressure to sell. Money is already pouring in from all angles and even every point in Europe is adding to the coffers.
They will be in no hurry – and neither should Kuhn be. I can’t say I know him personally but he seems to have a smart head on his shoulders. He’s at a big club, he’s playing in the Champions League and he’s in the form of his life.
Why risk that at this point? Kuhn will know there will be a time when Celtic will cash in and agree to let him go.
He only needs to look at the Matt O’Riley situation. O’Riley may have been tempted by the likes of Atletico Madrid and Atalanta but Celtic remained firm in their valuation and the player kept his head down and kept working hard for the side.
Eventually he and the club got their rewards. It’ll be the same for Kuhn. The way he’s going, he’s a cert for player of the year in Scotland and he’s going to be competing for silverware and against the top sides in Europe. There’s no need for him to jump ship right now. Sit tight and keep progressing and the big move will come.
It’s still early days but Kuhn already looks destined to become the next record breaking transfer fee and while I’d be stunned if he left in January, I wouldn’t be shocked if he does eventually go for even more than O’Riley, Jota and Kieran Tierney’s £25m fees. Big money is on the way for the German – but just not yet.