Scott Bain has backed Celtic’s business model as Nicolas Kuhn closes in on a big-money move to Serie A side Como, with the outgoing keeper labelling his former teammate “absolutely electric” at the start of last season.
Bain, who left Parkhead this summer after six years at the club, knows Kuhn’s Celtic journey well. He watched the German winger arrive, struggle to find rhythm, and then explode into form in the first half of the last campaign.
“Nic’s done great,” Bain told CeltsAreHere in an exclusive interview. “It took him a bit of time to gel at first and people say he tailed off at the end, but he was absolutely electric at the start of the season and he put the club in a great position in the league and Champions League with his performances alone.”
The former Hoops goalkeeper is now with Falkirk and will come up against Celtic in league action next term. But before that, he’s still keeping an eye on Parkhead affairs when it comes to transfers — even joking, “I have a wee read every day on BBC Gossip every day to see!”
Kuhn’s expected move to Como, for a fee in the region of €19 million, would mark another success for Celtic’s proven player trading strategy—something Bain believes is a core strength.
“He had a fantastic year and it’ll be down to the club whether someone reaches the value the club think he’s worth,” Bain said. “There will be a value that Celtic value Nic at and I imagine they’ll sell him if they get that level.”
That’s exactly what’s happening.
Bain credits the club’s structure for consistently delivering results on and off the pitch. “It’s the model and way Celtic work and it’s worked extremely well for them,” he said. “They’ll be hoping the same happens with the new signings they’ve brought in this summer as well.”
He’s seen that model first-hand: identify raw talent, give them the stage, and cash in once they hit form. “They’ll try and do the same with a young player who has a lot of quality and they can do the same with.”
As Kuhn prepares for the next step in his career, Celtic look set to bank a tidy sum—and Bain’s verdict sums it up: fantastic year, smart business.
