The pair worked together for almost four years during Appiah’s two stints as Black Stars coach.
Gyan enjoyed his best scoring run under the 59-year-old, who later made the striker captain of the national team.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Pulse.com.gh, Appiah described Gyan as a player who thrives when given competition.
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He explained that he never wanted the Black Stars to be dependent on a single player and so brought in a couple of strikers give Gyan some competition.
“I had the thinking that we should not depend on only one player as a nation. What happens if he’s injured?” Appiah told Pulse.com.gh.
“When I came, I brought Jordan [Ayew], Boakye-Yiadom, Raphael Dwamena, Majeed Waris and other strikers. It’s about giving him [Gyan] competition even though he’s good.
“When you have players around him that will make him work harder and know that his position can be taken from him by the young ones, automatically he’ll put out his best.”
Gyan currently plies his trade at Indian Super League side NorthEast United but is yet to feature for the Black Stars since playing at AFCON 2019.
He, however, stands as Ghana’s all-time top scorer with an impressive 51 goals.