John Hartson admits Celtic‘s recruitment model presents them with a problem, but it’s worth it for three or four seasons of brilliance.
Nicolas Kuhn is the latest to be linked with a big money move down south after turning it on for the Hoops for far this season. The German wide man has 10 goals and 11 assists in 17 appearances so far this term, with four in his last three outings, including a game-changing double against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
It’s since emerged that Brentford decided against making a move for Kuhn last January, but retain an interest in the player, while Fulham are also thought to be keeping tabs on him. Hot on the heels of Matt O’Riley’s £25million move to Brighton in the summer, Kuhn is regarded as the next Celtic money-maker as the big guns down south start to take notice of his red hot form.
Parkhead favourite Hartson admits that the prospect of losing these signings is always there, even when they first put pen to paper. But the Welshman reckons it’s worth accepting that you’ll have to wave goodbye to your best if you get three or four good seasons from them before punting on for a huge profit.
“Celtic, as a football club, never stand in anybody’s way,” he told Go Radio. “They always feel as if they get the right fee – they absolutely make sure that’s what they value him at – and if they get that valuation, they don’t really stand in a player’s way.
‘We’ve seen that in the past. with Kieran tierney, with Matt O’Riley and one or two other players and if you get a similar situation with kuhn, then that’s the problem Celtic have. You bring them to Celtic Park and they’re not the finished article. They work in a good environment under Brendan Rodgers, who’s a very, very good coach.
“They get opportunities to sign, they get opportunities to be in the spotlight, certainly in the Champions League and games like that. The the worry and the concern is that you are going to lose them one day.
“But for that three or four years, if you get a wonderful, special player, then it’s worth having him. Ultimately, celtic don;t stand in any player’s way – if they get the right fee for them.”