Nicolas Kuhn enjoys 'amazing' Champions League moment as Celtic impress

Nicolas Kuhn admitted he had savoured his “amazing” goals against RB Leipzig and believes Celtic’s win showed their progress in the Champions League.

The German winger curled in a stunning equaliser at Celtic Park after Leipzig had taken an early lead, then netted a second before Roe Hatate wrapped up three vital points with a third goal for the hosts in a dramatic match on Tuesday.

The win takes the Scottish champions another step closer to qualifying for the knockout stages, and Kuhn’s two-goal contribution and overall performance were major factors in the team success.

Kuhn spent three years with Leipzig’s academy before spells with Ajax, Bayern Munich and Rapid Vienna and he admitted it was special to score his first Champions League goals against a former club. He believes the win was important for his side as it proved a point after the team’s 7-1 defeat against German opposition earlier in the competition.

“It was very good,” the attacker said. “I think we did much better than against Dortmund and we showed that against Atalanta we could defend well and today we just used our chances.

“It was unbelievable to get the first Champions League goal here. The goal was amazing and I was really happy, especially to get it against my former club.”

Kuhn has been in impressive form this season and is much improved on his early showings after moving to Glasgow in January. His first months with the club were affected by the impact of dental work but now that he is at full fitness and settled in the squad, he says he’s full of confidence and feeling good.

“The full pre-season was important for me,” he said. “When I came in it was a little bit difficult but things were unbelievable with my teammates. It all comes together and now I can show what I’m able to.

“Of course it’s important to be confident. The staff and my teammates give me that feeling and I’m happy I can pay them back.”

Tuesday’s win gives Celtic seven points from four games, and they sit mid-table and on course to progress in the competition at the half-way stage.

The team have home matches against Young Boys and Club Brugge to come, as well as trips to play Dinamo Zagreb and Aston Villa. Kuhn says the team is improving and will do everything they can to get through to the next stage.

“We just try to win every game,” he said. “That’s what we want to do and hopefully we get some more points.

“I think with every game we are growing. We come closer together and I think we bounced back really good from the Dortmund game and I think today showed that we can show progress and do better.”