Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary former Manchester United manager and a longtime observer of Scottish football, was in the stands at Parkhead on Tuesday night to watch Celtic take on RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
Many may have expected him to witness another difficult night for the Hoops on the European stage.
However, Nicolas Kuhn had other ideas, as the young forward delivered a performance that belied his years, leading Celtic to a memorable 3-1 victory and giving the Scottish champions a crucial win at home.
Kuhn, the star of the night, scored twice to power Celtic to a remarkable comeback win over RB Leipzig.
This victory was Celtic’s second at home in the Champions League this season, helping them climb to 13th place in the standings with seven points.
The win also underscored Kuhn’s emerging talent and his ability to step up on European nights, capturing the attention of both fans and, undoubtedly, the legendary Ferguson himself.
The game didn’t start in Celtic’s favor, as they found themselves trailing early. In the 23rd minute, Christoph Baumgartner broke the deadlock, capitalizing on a corner that deflected off Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers, setting up a close-range header that put Leipzig ahead.
But Celtic, unfazed by the setback, pressed on, and Kuhn equalized in the 35th minute with a sublime curling strike from the edge of the box that electrified the Parkhead crowd.
Shortly before halftime, Kuhn doubled his tally, tapping into an open net to give the hosts a 2-1 lead as the stadium erupted.
The second half saw Leipzig make several attempts to draw level, with Benjamin Sesko and Baumgartner both coming close.
But Celtic’s veteran goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel, who was celebrating his 38th birthday, produced two brilliant saves to keep Leipzig at bay, ensuring his team maintained their slim advantage.
Then, in the 72nd minute, Reo Hatate stepped up to seal the victory with a composed close-range finish, securing all three points for the home side and completing a memorable night in Glasgow.
For Leipzig, the defeat extended their winless run in the Champions League, with four losses in as many games leaving their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages hanging by a thread.
Their inability to secure even a single point so far this campaign has cast doubt on their European ambitions, as they continue to struggle in one of the toughest club competitions.
This victory marked a significant turnaround for Celtic, who had previously suffered a humbling 7-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on matchday two.
That result seemed like a harsh reality check, but Celtic’s response since has been impressive, with this latest performance showcasing their resilience and tactical growth under pressure.
The seven points they’ve accumulated so far in the Champions League represent their best campaign since 2012-13, when they gathered 10 points.
Additionally, Celtic have now scored nine goals in this European campaign, the most they’ve netted in a Champions League or European Cup season since 1977-78, when they tallied 13.
With Ferguson watching on, Celtic’s victory resonated as a reminder of the club’s potential to shine on the European stage, even against formidable opposition.
Kuhn’s dazzling display not only thrilled the Celtic faithful but also underscored the promise of a new generation, unafraid to carry the weight of Celtic’s rich history and proud legacy forward.