Nicolas Kuhn motivated Celtic’s impressive comeback against his former team RB Leipzig as Brendan Rodgers’ team achieved a third straight win at home in the Champions League.
The German winger put on a remarkable performance, scoring two goals late in the first half to put Celtic ahead after Christoph Baumgartner had given the visitors the lead.
Kuhn came up through the ranks at Leipzig before moving to Glasgow in January after playing for the B teams of Ajax and Bayern Munich and a spell with Rapid Vienna, and no one would have savored Celtic’s victory against German opponents more than him.
A month after suffering a heavy 7-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund on his return to Germany, Kuhn scored a beautiful equalizer and was unstoppable at times as Celtic secured a 3-1 win against a team placed second in the Bundesliga.
Reo Hatate took advantage of a goalkeeper error to secure a well-deserved victory that moved Celtic up into the top half of the Champions League table, above teams like Barcelona, Bayern, Milan, and Paris St Germain.
With seven points from four games, including facing their toughest opponents on paper, Celtic has put themselves in a strong position to aim for a spot in the play-offs and possibly even a place in the top eight.
Celtic looked comfortable in possession and pressed Leipzig effectively in the early stages of the game. Arne Engels had a shot blocked after Daizen Maeda broke through, and Kuhn passed his marker to deliver a dangerous cross into the box.
The momentum of the game shifted completely when Benjamin Sesko narrowly missed with the help of a deflection. Any potential goal might have been disallowed due to what appeared to be a foul on Auston Trusty in the middle of the field, but suddenly Celtic struggled to move out of their half or keep hold of the ball.
Kasper Schmeichel pushed Lois Openda’s shot wide after Trusty lost possession, and Leipzig took the lead from Kevin Kampl’s corner halfway through the first half. Cameron Carter-Vickers unintentionally set up Baumgartner, who headed home from close range.
Willi Orban headed just wide from a similar chance, and Antonio Nusa missed a great opportunity, though there were claims for a foul on Alistair Johnston in the build-up.
Kuhn was the spark that caused the game to change again. The former Germany youth international was involved in a good move on the right before receiving Engels’ pass, cutting inside, and scoring a perfect shot off the post from 20 yards in the 35th minute.
Kuhn then won back the ball deep in his own half and played a key role in a good passing sequence before splitting the Leipzig defense open with a brilliant pass with the outside of his foot. Maeda's shot from the edge of the box was off target.
Celtic continued to put pressure on Leipzig. Johnston’s shot was saved before Kyogo Furuhashi dribbled past two defenders and had his shot deflected wide by Orban's block.
In stoppage time, Kuhn doubled his tally by slotting in a goal after Greg Taylor had assisted Hatate’s pass across the six-yard box.
Kuhn had a chance for a hat-trick shortly after the restart following Callum McGregor’s quick break, but he missed the target.
Hatate came close with a shot from 20 yards out before Leipzig increased their pressure, and Schmeichel made a diving save from Sesko’s effort following a long pass.
Celtic found their rhythm again quickly. Hatate forced a save with a shot after a brilliant run from Kuhn, and several crosses were sent into the Leipzig box.
Schmeichel made an excellent stop from Baumgartner’s volley, but Celtic continued to attack, and Hatate scored from close range in the 72nd minute after Gulacsi spilled Johnston’s low cross.
Leipzig’s hopes of a comeback faded when Assan Ouedraogo missed a chance by heading over the bar, and Celtic looked for a fourth goal, with their dominant performance only interrupted by a strange pitch invasion from a young boy around eight years old.