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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Macdonald

Celtic in 'advanced talks' to sign Rapid Vienna winger Nicolas Kuhn

Celtic are reportedly in "advanced talks" to sign Rapid Vienna winger Nicolas Kuhn.

This is according Sky Sports who claim that the Hoops are closing in on a deal to sign the 24-year-old for just under £3million.

Kuhn - a former Germany youth international - is a key player for the Austrian side and is said to be "keen"on a move to the Scottish champions.

He is under contract with the club until 2026 after signing a lengthy deal on his arrival from Bayern Munich in a £500,000 deal in summer 2022.

The forward has three goals and seven assists across 22 appearances for Rapid this season.

Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers has previously signalled his interest in boosting the Parkhead side's attacking options with Daizen Maeda, Yang Hyun-jun and Oh Hyena-gyu being called up for their respective countries to play at the Asian Cup.

He said: "Obviously we have been trying to anticipate the guys over the last few months who are going away to the Asian Cup so clearly if Daizen [Maeda] and Kyogo [Furuhashi] are away then we would have to do something in the market."

Gordon Strachan has opened up on telling Roy Keane he would not be a regular starter at Celtic, stating the Ireland legend was "not okay with it".

The former midfielder finished his career at Parkhead after leaving Manchester United.

He made his debut in the 2-1 Scottish Cup defeat to Clyde but would go onto to win a League Cup and Scottish Premiership during his six months in Glasgow, playing 14 times.

And Strachan insists that while there was some initial awkwardness when breaking the news, Keane was receptive during his time in Glasgow and the two still have a good relationship.

Speaking to sweep.io, he said: "Roy trained with us a bit before the transfer window because he had been let go by Manchester United, so he got to know the lads for a fair period of time before he officially signed.

"Roy was a different kettle of fish, because you're talking about a world class player. When it became apparent that we could sign Roy Keane, I was amazed and thought it was magnificent.

"But I had a problem; we were unbeaten in so many games and I had [Neil] Lennon and [Stiliyan] Petrov in the middle of the park.

"I used to play with two wingers and a forward player that would come back in and drop off the main striker, so I had no idea how I was going to fit him in there. I had to speak to Roy Keane and tell him that he wasn't going to be starting.

"The conversation started with us just staring at each other over the table, and I was genuinely so excited to have him at Celtic with me and I was never interested in the circumstances as to why he left Manchester United.

"So I was honest with him and I said, 'Listen, it's great having you here, but if I'm picking a team tomorrow, you aren't in it.'

"Without hesitation, he said he was absolutely fine with that, even though I could see he absolutely wasn't okay with that.

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