NICOLAS KUHN lived the dream in Paradise in the breathtaking 5-1 romp against Slovan Bratislava in midweek.
The 24-year-old German winger admitted his ambition of one day playing in the Champions League and he celebrated his achievement with a fine performance topped off with his delivery for the crucial second goal for Kyogo Furuhashi.
Now Kuhn is eager for a second helping when Celtic return to his homeland a week on Tuesday to take on last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund.
Despite having had spells at top-flight outfits RB Leipzig, one of the Hoops’ rivals in this campaign, Bayern Munich and Ajax before his £3million January arrival from Vienna Rapid, the lively touchline ace had never been involved in Europe’s elite competition.
EURO STAR…Nicolas Kuhn in action during his Champions League debut.
Kuhn said: “It was unbelievable and the craziest thing I ever experienced.
“It’s been a long journey and finally arriving in the Champions League in such a stadium was unreal. It was more than I expected.
“A lot of friends were here and my girlfriend. I think they were crying.
“After the anthem, it was so loud. Everyone said that it’s amazing and they are special nights, so I was really looking forward to it.
“Now I can say that I played in the game here, so I’m really happy.
“I think everyone will see what we did, now we play some German teams. A lot of people want to come to the Dortmund game.
“I’m looking forward also to one of my old clubs, we just want to keep it going and take it into the next game. It’s just the first game.
“Of course it was an important start, but for us, it is just the start.”
CAPITAL SHOW…Nicolas Kuhn celebrates the opening goal in Celtic’s 2-0 Premiership win over Hibs at Easter Road last month,
Looking forward to tomorrow’s Premier Sports League Cup quarter-final meeting with Falkirk at Parkhead, Kuhn, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “You have to show respect for every opponent, but we’re going to focus on our strengths.
“If we keep doing what we’ve been doing then we’ll have a good chance.
“It’s been a really good start to the season and it was a really good game and we just want to keep going and take it into the next game.”
The touchline star added: “Before I came in, I had some good talks with the manager and it was all about getting into those positions to score and create chances, so that’s what we’re doing and he’s helped me a lot.
“I think there are still levels to go to and there’s a lot more in me, so I hope I will achieve what I’m looking for.
“I knew that if I was fit then I’d play well. The team, the coaches, the staff have all helped me a lot and I’ve said it a lot of times when I came in, it was a little bit difficult for me, but now I’m feeling good.
“If it’s going well, it’s really nice, and now that I’m settled in, I just feel well so the performances are coming, too.”
