It’s Nerli’ enough for a switch!
NICOLAS KUHN gave a little smile as he quipped about converting agent and former Rangers star Christian Nerlinger into a Celtic fan.
But the Parkhead winger is deadly serious about playing a big part in the high-pressure Old Firm cracker that lies ahead on Sunday.
Kuhn is desperate to feature in the top-of-the-table showdown and adamant he’s ready for the demands of the Ibrox crunch having already been around major derby experiences in Germany.
The 24-year-old is fully aware of the fixtures’ magnitude having spoken to his personal manager Nerlinger about it all.
Kuhn’s agent was signed by Dick Advocaat in 2001 and spent three years at Rangers before being released by the Dutchman’s successor Alex McLeish.
Nerlinger’s experiences of the Scottish game had a role in the attacker’s decision to sign for the champions when Brendan Rodgers came calling for a January switch.
Kuhn says the banter and jokes haven’t begun with Nerlinger about Sunday as he explained: “Not yet, but in the beginning, he told me a lot about the game and I think now he’s a Celtic fan!
“He played a big part of it (signing). He told me a lot about Celtic and told me what a great club it is.
“Of course we have pressure, but I have played already at Ajax and Bayern. They also want to win the league and every trophy there.
“I am looking forward to the game against Rangers a lot.
Chance
“I have heard a lot about the game already and now I am happy and hope to get a chance to play.
“My manager, he played for Rangers. Before I came here, he told me a lot about the match and how important it is to the people.”
Asked if it would be massive to get the Ibrox opportunity, Kuhn said: “Of course. I want to play every game, but I think we have a really good team and everyone is challenging each other.
“So that is the most important thing for the team, that everyone who is behind is giving pressure to the other one.”
An outing for Kuhn against Philippe Clement’s men would be his first taste of the Glasgow showdown since moving to Scotland.