Nicolas Kuhn is relishing the prospect of his first full season at Celtic and the challenges it will bring.
The winger arrived from Rapid Vienna in January in a £3m deal but has yet to show what he can really do in green and white.
That’s not a harsh assessment, it’s simply what the player would tell you himself. He’s spoken this week about how this summer is the real start to his Celtic career after struggles with fitness.
He wants to show his true ability and potential. The 24-year-old will be aiming for consistency with the goal contributions we saw flashes of last season.
His excitement for the Champions League is clear, too. It’s a tournament he’s always dreamed of playing in and now he’s on the brink of that career achievement.
Nicolas Kuhn on entering Europe with Celtic
He said [Daily Record]: “It was always the biggest dream I had, to play in the Champions League. I was on loan from Bayern Munich to a second-league team in Germany. I did an interview when I was there and I said that my goal is to one day play in the Champions League – and one day to get back in the national team. The first goal I hope I will reach next season.
“I’ve played at a couple of clubs where they also want to win every trophy there is. So I know the mentality needed at a club like Celtic. I wasn’t at Bayern Munich when they last won the Champions League but I trained with Ajax all season when they got to the semi-final against Tottenham.
“So I know the importance of the tournament. It was a really special feeling to be with the boys when they got so close. When I said I wanted to get to the Champions League I know not everyone would have thought it would have happened so quickly. But I always knew I had the ability to get there.
“That was always the dream and the goal. I didn’t really think about not getting there. I am happy that it has happened within two and a half years.”
Four magical Champions League nights coming to Celtic Park
In the new expanded format to the Champions League, Celtic supporters will get to experience four big European group stage nights – up from the traditional three.
The Bhoys will face four different teams from the four seeding pots at Celtic Park, also facing four others away from home.
The variety and unpredictable nature of this new-look tournament adds extra intrigue and excitement to the European campaign.
Everyone is hoping Kuhn and his teammates can step up and show they can rise to the elite level, potentially bolstered by new signings in the transfer market too.
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