THE memory of the drubbing in Dortmund will fire up Celtic for their return to Germany next week.
That’s the firm verdict of Nicolas Kuhn as the Hoops attempt to overturn a 2-1 deficit while preparing for a monumental second leg against Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena in the Champions League play-off on Tuesday evening.
Back in October, Brendan Rodgers’ men inexplicably collapsed to a bewildering 7-1 loss to a rampant Borussia Dortmund in the Westfalenstadion in their second outing in the eight-game league phase in the new-look format of Europe’s most prestigious competition.
It was an evening for the visitors to forget as the Bundesliga outfit – with the aid of two penalty-kicks – surged to a 5-1 advantage before the interval.
HAPPY DAZE…Nicolas Kuhn celebrates one of his double in Celtic’s 3-1 win over RB Leipzig at Parkhead on November 5.
Kuhn lasted only 63 minutes before he was replaced by Yang Hyun-jun – a switch which was repeated in the 77th minute in midweek – as Rodgers strived to turn the tide.
The winger, bought for £3million from Rapid Vienna in January last year, enjoyed better fortune in the next encounter with opposition from the country of his birth when he whipped in a memorable double in the 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig under the lights in the east end of Glasgow in November.
Now it’s an all-or-nothing crusade in Bavaria and Kuhn is convinced Germany will witness the REAL Celtic on the occasion.
So, are the champions ready to stand up and be counted? The 17-goal wide Bhoy insisted: “Yes, 100 per cent. I think it was a one-off game against Dortmund and we learned our lesson from that night.
“We have a lot of young players and for a lot of guys it is the first time in the Champions League.
“There was a lot of good in the campaign and the other night. The goals we conceded were too easy, but it’s something we will work on for next week.
HAPPY DAZE…Nicolas Kuhn is walking on air after netting Celtic’s third goal against Rangers in the Premier Sports League Cup Final triumph at Hampden on December 15.
“I know Bayern are confident as a club, but I don’t think they will believe the tie is over.
“They will try everything to win at the Allianz Arena. But so will we, of course. It would have been better for us if we had won the game, but everything is still open for the second leg where, hopefully, we can have a better result.
“We had opportunities on the counter-attack, but, also, if we keep the ball we can be good in possession. In some situations we need to play better, but there will be opportunities.
“We can have belief. We have scored goals already in the league phase. We are in good form and, hopefully, we can score some more over there.”
Kuhn, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Bayern have a lot of quality and we know they can create a lot of chances, but I thought we defended well against them. Of course, the goal before half-time was not a good moment.
“The corner was a little bit too easy for them. We can’t let one of the best strikers in the world get a second hall like that. But 2-1 gives us strength and we are now looking forward to the game in Germany.
“Everything is still open. It only takes another goal and we will be drawing. We are going to give everything.”
The lively 25-year-old raider thought he had got Celtic off to a dream start in midweek when his low shot from just outside the box eluded Manuel Neuer at his right after just 25 SECONDS.
HAPPY DAZE…Nicolas Kuhn raises his fist in victory after claiming one of his 17 goals this season.
However, the player’s joy and the entire stadium was brought to an abrupt halt following the offside decision against Adam Idah.
Kuhn added: “It would have been unbelievable. I was hoping it wasn’t offside. It was unlucky. I did not notice at the time because I don’t think Adam touched it. They said he was in the line of sight.
“It was really nice for a short time. The noise was crazy, like it was for the whole game. The supporters were amazing. In the last half an hour we were much better and we created some chances.
“There is still some way to go in the tie.”
That’s the sort of fighting talk which can give the champions encouragement as they set off on another highwire act at Europe’s elite level without a safety net in sight.
