NICOLAS KUHN is determined to bring down the curtain on his first year as a Celt with another impressive performance against St Johnstone at Parkhead tomorrow.
The German winger had a false start to his career at the champions following his £3million arrival from Rapid Vienna in January.
Kuhn lost weight following complicated dental work and his off-the-field concerns spilled onto his matchday displays.
However, he still played a part in Brendan Rodgers celebrating his comeback campaign with a title success and the wide Bhoy was also involved in the 1-0 Scottish Cup Final triumph over Rangers on May 25 when he came on for evergreen James Forrest in the 71st minute.
HAMPDEN HOORAYS…Nicolas Kuhn races away in triumph after firing in Celtic’s third goal in the Premier Sports League Cup Final. Ibrox midfielder Mo Diomande sits this one out.
And Kuhn returned to Hampden for the showpiece shoot-out against the same opponents a fortnight ago and celebrated a hat-trick of silverware after the penalty-kick success in the Premier Sports League Cup Final.
He thumped in the Hoops’ third goal in the 3-3 draw before Kasper Schmeichel saved from Ridvan Yilmaz and Daizen Maeda slid in the deciding strike in the penalty-kick showdown.
The 24-year-old former Ajax and Bayern Munich prospect has been in sizzling form this season.
Injury kept Kuhn on the sidelines in the scoreless stalemate against Dundee United at Tannadice last weekend, but he returned as a second-half substitute against Motherwell on Boxing Day and rifled in his 13th goal of the crusade in the 4-0 victory.
The fans’ favourite said: “We have done a great job so far. We only have one loss this season – and that was in the Champions League.
“We learned from that one, as well. I am not too stressed about it. We just try to keep going and get as many points as possible. “We always focus on the next game and getting the three points. Then we will see what is coming after that.”
TAKE-OFF…Nicolas Kuhn is airborne as the flying Celtic winger celebrates his Hampden strike.
Preparing for the visit of the rock-bottom Perth side, Kuhn, speaking to the club website, added: “There are the same amount of points available in this game as the next one.
“That’s how we did it last season and we are doing this time. We always focus on the next game.
“The manager plays a really big part in that. He builds the team and keeps us feeling good.
“He keeps us down to earth and focuses on the next game.”
The champions go into the 3pm kick-off with a massive 12-point advantage at the Premiership pinnacle while Thursday’s opponents at Ibrox, Rangers, take on Motherwell at Fir Park at the same time.
As ever, Celtic – and Kuhn – will want to bring down the final curtain on the year in winning style.
