Nicolas Kühn

Celtic star Nicolas Kuhn couldn't resist a pop at Rangers following his side's league and cup double triumph last month.

Kuhn admitted he's relished his time at Celtic so far, with the highlights being his games against Rangers.

And he couldn't resist getting a dig in at Philippe Clement's side's now infamous celebrations after the 3-3 draw.

He recalled: "In my first derby against Rangers, I was in the starting eleven. We played away at Ibrox. In the first ten minutes of a game like that, you can hardly breathe. But we quickly took a 2-0 lead. The atmosphere at that moment was indescribable. You had to be there to understand it.

"It ended 3-3 and afterwards they celebrated as if they were already champions.

"But after that we dominated the league, played great games and got all the points we could. And then there was the derby at Celtic Park.

"Suddenly you're playing with 60,000 fans behind you and not 50,000 against you. We scored two goals, Rangers got a red card and we brought the result over the finish line. That was the big step towards the title.

"The Scottish Cup final win was crazy. You can't really explain what happens in the stadium. When you lift the trophy in front of 50,000 people, those are memories that will last forever.

"When Celtic asked me to move, I did everything I could to make this move happen. It was my chance to win the championship and prove myself at a huge club. I wear the No.10 shirt at the club.


That is also a statement from me - and of course, there is a lot of pressure on me.

"Next year I will play in the Champions League for the first time, that was always the goal. Now no one can say that I am lacking something. It may have taken me a little longer, but I have reached the top level


And Kuhn, in an interview in his homeland, admits he's determined to one day play for his country.

He said: "That's extremely big for me. My statistics in the youth national teams over the years speak for themselves. I've also always loved wearing the German jersey.

"When we were fighting against relegation at Aue in Bundesliga 2 a few years ago, I said in an interview that my next goal was to play in the Champions League and return to the German team.

"Well, I hope to fulfil that one big dream next season with Celtic. The goal after that is clear to me...the German national team."

Kuhn has warned his German countrymen to beware of the driving force of Scotland - his Hoops captain Callum McGregor.

Scotland take on the hosts on Friday in the eagerly-anticipated Euro 2024 opener in Munich, with up to 200,000 Tartan Army fans set to travel this week to Germany.

Kuhn represented Germany at all levels up to Under 21s and the 24-year-old expects his country to be handed a tough game by Scotland.

And he's pinpointed his own skipper at Parkhead as the man Germany should fear.

Kuhn said: "Callum McGregor can hurt the Germans. He is a real leader.

"He is a player who just doesn't stop running. He doesn't stop until the final whistle. He also has a strong passing game - and he's just a great guy too.

"Callum is actually a rather quiet person, but at Celtic, he speaks up in the dressing room when something goes wrong. Then he sometimes intervenes. So he's the manager's extended arm.

"Over the years he's gained a lot of experience here and won over 20 titles with this club. Callum knows how to win big games.

"Germany is definitely the favourite. But anything is possible in a single game. The Scots will fight hard. They also have some very good professionals in their ranks.

"Scott McTominay, for example, plays for Manchester United and there are the four guys I play with at Celtic - Callum, Greg Taylor, Anthony Ralston and James Forrest.

"The way they tackle each other in Scottish football is simply different - things are much rougher here than in Germany.

"The Scots' aim against Germany will therefore be to play a physical game, hope for one or two chances and then take advantage of them.

"The fans in Scotland are crazy about football in a positive sense. They live for this game. The whole country is now watching this tournament. I find it hard to imagine that anyone in Scotland won't follow the European Championship."

 

Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn says he’s hoping to show supporters what he can do after a positive pre-season.

The German winger joined Brendan Rodgers’ squad in January when he made the switch from Rapid Vienna, but doesn’t feel he’* his stride in Glasgow yet.

Kuhn underwent dental surgery just before his transfer to Scotland and lost weight as he went 12 days without solid food. He believes that impacted his ability to hit the ground running and it took him a while to be in the right condition.

Now, after winning the league and Scottish Cup in the final months off the season and then enjoying a summer break, he’s been back in training with an eye on impressing this time around.

“I think the beginning was quite difficult, coming in,” he said. “Of course I’ve said before that I had issues with weight loss and stuff.

“I was getting better and by the end of the season coming more into the team and connecting with everyone.

I’m happy to have a pre-season now.”

Asked if he felt fans could now expect to see him at his best, the 24-year-old was confident.

“Of course I think so,” he said. “The biggest problem I had in the beginning was that my fitness was not on that level so now we are working on that and hopefully now it’s going to be perfect for the start of the season.

“I was not there yet. I had a couple of good games but I have to show that every game. That’s the main thing.”

Kuhn welcomed the prospect of new signings in the squad this summer as the club strengthens its hand, and he feels competition can bring the best out of everyone. And he was happy with the prospect of striker Adam Idah potentially returning to Parkhead after a successful loan last year.

The winger was also keen to see another familiar face return and is hopeful that a deal can be struck for Paolo Bernardo after the Benfica midfielder spent last season with Celtic.




“I was quite close with Paolo so I would be happy if he comes back,” Kuhn said.

“He’s a great player. I think he had a special moment in the cup final and it would be great to have him back.

“I think there’s not a limit (in how he can develop).”

 

Shat it in the games against them..

Better turn up next season (off the bench)..

 

For now I’ll give him benefit of the doubt but I think more so than fitness his problem was being too safe. He’s a neat player clearly but too much he opted to cut in and play the safe sideways or backwards pass rather than take his man on. Needs to be much braver this season. Hopefully he steps up as I don’t think we’re gonna look to get in more wingers unless a couple leave

 

pish we need far,far better .the fact forrest was keeping him out of the team says it all

 

Don't know if it was just due to nerves and such a tight run in. But 100% shat it when he could easily have taken the shot. In fact easier to take it early

 

I'd agree. Called it straight off the bat, he wasn't the quality Rodgers banged on about only signing. Squad filler at most.

But before we go signing another one, we've a load to get rid of first.


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Yang and mikey out for starters. Forrest likely happy to be a third choice winger..

We absolutely need at least 1 quality winger in..

 

True mate although I thought he showed glimpses at the start the more I saw of him he was very underwhelming. I’m gonna give him more time though as new club n country and all that then not being fully fit at the start. Just hope he plays with a point to prove otherwise we’ll need another right winger in alongside forrest

 

I might be in the minority but I liked the look of him.

Great close control and looked to have good game intelligence.

Think he worked hard as well, his defensive work rate was better than he was given credit for.

 

Yang mikey and tilio basically. And yeah I’m with ye we need quality there someone to make things happen. I’m just holding out my judgment on Kuhn for the time being but would definitely want another winger in and an upgrade on what we have obviously

 

Willing to write off his hot and cold form from last season, and hope his pre-season can get him firing for us. Has the talent just has to show some balls and grab his chance. Really want someone else in he can compete with, ideally Kvistgaarden.

 

His tracking back in games was very good I thought, few times he nicked the ball of opposition. He has definitely shown glimpses but like I said earlier he’s too safe/afraid to take players on. Hopefully hits the ground running and we get a good look at him in the states

 

He deserves another chance, it was 6 months and the team didn't really gel until the end

We 100% need another winger in, albeit I don't think we'll one this window unless it's Kvistgaarden.

 

His decision making is down there with MJ though and that’s what let him down.

 

He’s a dud

 

I am not at the stage of ruling him out yet.

Hi performances at first were abysmal but he didn’t seem to be fit. He then had a few games where he had a good impact but tailed off badly.

For me it seemed to be his self confidence that is his biggest issue. When he had his tail up and happy to use his pace to get at his man he looked a good player but too often retreated into his shell and just laid the ball off.

 

I think we need much better tbh. He's also 24 so he's quickly running out of room for development unless he turns out to be a late bloomer.

 

He was pretty unlucky when he joined and he didn't look 100% for quite some time. I'm willing to show a bit of patience but it feels like he needs a fast start to this season if he wants to be a regular starter. A lukewarm start and I doubt he will get back in.