NICOLAS KUHN warns Hibs they will see the REAL Celtic in the Scottish Cup quarter-final clash at Parkhead this afternoon.
A strangely lacklustre Hoops side handed the hosts a two-goal interval advantage in the league encounter at Easter Road 15 days ago.
It was only after Brendan Rodgers introduced Jeffrey Schlupp, Reo Hatate and Filipe Jota for Greg Taylor, Luke McCowan and Adam Idah at the interval that the champions sparked to life.
Daizen Maeda pulled one back and the Japanese international speedster fired in what looked like a legitimate equaliser with seven minutes to go before it was erroneously ruled out by blundering VAR official Alan Muir.
NUMBER ONE…winger Nicolas Kuhn celebrates after putting Celtic ahead in their 2-0 league win at Easter Road in August.
The blatant mistake condemned the Hoops to only their second league defeat of the campaign that still sees them heading for a fourth successive title with a 16-point advantage and nine games to play.
However, the focus is firmly on the Scottish Cup in the east end of Glasgow today as Rodgers’ men power their way towards the target of a ninth domestic treble with the showpiece showdown scheduled for Hampden on Saturday May 24.
Kuhn completed a personal hat-trick in December when he netted the third goal in the 3-3 extra-time stalemate with the Ibrox side which saw the Parkhead men eventually claim the silverware 5-4 on penalty-kicks.
The German winger, bought for £3million from Rapid Vienna in January last year, lifted Premiership and Scottish Cup in his first season and was delighted to achieve the full set.
Reflecting on the setback in Leith, Kuhn admitted: “Of course, after you lose like that it’s always nice to get a game against the same opponent quickly – because it gives you a chance to do better than you did last time.
“And at the beginning of the season, we had two games against them in quick succession and did well, winning both.
HIGH HOPES…Nicolas Kuhn challenges Hibs keeper Jordan Smith to a cross in Celtic’s controversial 2-1 loss at Easter Road.
“It should be a really exciting game. We know they are strong, but we weren’t at our best that day.
“So, hopefully, we can deliver a better performance on this occasion. It’s a Cup-tie, so there will be a different feel to this match.”
The 25-year-old raider, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “The goal for every team is to reach the next round – but lose and you’re out.
“The fans obviously know this and it makes for a great atmosphere.
“They will have more fans, but I like that. It’s like the away games in the Champions League which are really enjoyable.”
Kuhn added: “It’s exciting to think we might only be three games away from another trophy.
“We have goals for the rest of the season and the Scottish Cup is very much part of them.
“We want to win this tie, get back to Hampden to play there again – and ultimately win this trophy.”
*DON’T miss the unbeatable reort from Celtic v Hibs this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
