Nicolas Kuhn on the Celtic tears after reaching Champions League dreamland before winger offers cautionary note

The winger scored a career goal in the destruction of Slovan Bratislava.

Nicolas Kuhn says attaining a boyhood Champions League ambition was insane and brought his loved ones to tears.

And the winger feels Celtic’s performances have piqued German interest ahead of games against Borussia Dortmund and his former club RB Leipzig. Kuhn checked off a major career milestone by playing a key role in the crushing victory over Slovan Bratislava. Despite having previously played for top-tier clubs Leipzig, Ajax, and Bayern Munich before moving to Glasgow, he had yet to play on the big stage until Brendan Rodgers gave him the opportunity.

It was an incredible occasion and, for those nearest and dearest to him, also emotional. Kuhn explained: “It was unbelievable. The atmosphere was crazy. I think it was one of the best nights I’ve ever experienced in football. It was amazing. Every little boy is dreaming of playing in the Champions League, it was a long journey and finally arriving at such a stadium was unreal. A lot of friends were here and my girlfriend. I think they were crying.

“When I was on a year loan from Bayern, I said in the second league in Germany, the goal is Champions League and one day, hopefully, national team. I was 2020/21, that was my goal and I didn’t care what other people said.

“It’s what I believe I can achieve and that was my feeling. It was the goal for a long time, so yeah, the first 20 minutes was just a little bit overwhelmed from the crowd and everything, but then it was fine.”

Kuhn’s scorching performance helped the hosts set a club record in the competition. The standings at the end of matchday one show Rodgers’ team in second place, barely behind Bayern.

It’s Dortmund on Tuesday week and there will also be a meeting with another of his former employers Leizpig next month on matchday four. Celtic’s opening display has been noted by many including those in his homeland. Kuhn said: “I think everyone will see what we did, so I’m just happy that we get also 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, but the focus now is on Sunday, so after that we’re going to see what’s coming.”

Kuhn’s displays will surely also be eyed by German national bosses and, with the second part of that dream in mind, he added: “I played all the youth national teams, I know the structures there. I just want to show myself, I know that I’m able to play there. So, hopefully, in the future I will. I’m going to check my phone sometimes, but if there’s no call, I will stay here. Now it’s the focus, first of all, on Sunday.”

Kuhn says Rodgers’ one-game-at-a-time mantra courses through the squad with Celtic determined to keep standards high against the Championship leaders. He said: “You have to show respect for every opponent, we are going to focus on our game.

“We have a really strong squad, we’re just going to keep going with what we’re doing right now and, hopefully, there’s more to come. I think it doesn’t matter who we play. You have to give respect to every team. It’s a different cup now, so we have to be 100 per cent. We can’t give any less.

“It was also the first half year I’ve been here, it was looking from game to game. We just all follow him [Rodgers] because I think he knows how to win the titles and he knows what we have to do to achieve big things. If we just talk about Wednesday, we’re not going to win the next games.

“If we just talk about the Champions League, we’re not going to win the Cup. That’s what he [Rodgers] is telling us, so we’re just going to keep pushing.”

Despite his recent shift against Slovan Bratislava, Kuhn is eager to go again. Rodgers commended Daizen Maeda for his endless energy, and the German worked hard as well. Kuhn stated, “He [Maeda] is doing a tremendous job, and I believe everyone has to be defensively strong. He’s one of the better examples here.

“I had it before. I just was not 100 per cent fit when I came in. Now I’m in a good place. The staff, the team, have helped me a lot. So, now I’m just feeling fit and I can show what I’m able to.

“It’s great to get the assessment and everything like that, but you have to do everything, you have to work for the team as well. It’s part of the game. I think it’s not possible that people just stay up front.

“You have to help the team, also defensively. That’s normal and the goals are coming as well, it’s just nice. We have five different goalscorers, so I’m just happy for everyone.”