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."