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Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn believes the team’s unity has improved significantly over the summer.
Kuhn moved to Celtic Park from Rapid Vienna in January and has appeared to build up his fitness and integrate further into Brendan Rodgers’ squad during pre-season.
The 24-year-old German scored in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Kilmarnock as Celtic continued their form from last season and pre-season, which also saw them net four goals each against D.C. United, Manchester City and Chelsea during their tour of the United States.
“It was really important to get off to a good start,” Kuhn said. “We continued the way we played in pre-season. We scored four goals in every game, so we hope to keep going like that.
“We got closer in pre-season. You can’t avoid each other. You get to see everyone every day. So it was a really good pre-season and now we’re happy to be back in Glasgow.
“We’ve been playing really well in pre-season as well and we’re going to continue to do that. So it’s only going to get better.”
“It was a bit difficult for me to come here in the winter, but now I’m used to the team. They know what I can do, so I’m happy.”
The team spirit was evident when Kuhn celebrated the goal with a choreographed dance with Kyogo Furuhashi and Matt O’Riley, and when the team responded with substitute Anthony Ralston’s stoppage-time goal to send Celtic top of the league on goal difference.
“One of us had to score to celebrate,” Kuhn said. “We knew what we wanted to do before. So I’m glad I scored.”
“We were listening to some Japanese music in the dressing room and Kyogo came up with the dance. So we said we’d dance.
“It’s a really, really good group of boys here and I’m really happy to be here.
“We were really happy for Tony to score at the end. I think it shows that we share the joy and are happy for everyone.
“I don’t think Toni can dance. I think he has to score more goals and then maybe he can start dancing.”
Rogers believes Kuhn has more breakthroughs to come.
“He’s had a bit of a back problem,” Rodgers said. “The pre-season was good for him. His fitness could have been a bit better because he missed a few games.”
“But he’s definitely in better shape now, having been back for four or five months at the end of last year from January. He had a good pre-season, playing with confidence, taking on opponents and being more aggressive.
“That’s what I talked to him about, about really dealing with people and showing your personal qualities when we need to.
“He’s a real hard worker, he presses, he runs. All of that, once it comes together, you start to see a player who can really play for us. I’m really happy for him and I’m pretty sure he’s going to continue to grow.”
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