There have been ominous signs for the rest of the Premiership throughout pre-season and in their opening weekend thumping of Kilmarnock that the Celtic players might well now be dancing to Brendan Rodgers’ tune.
Just as eye-catching as Sunday’s slick performance in their league opener though was the choreographed celebration between Nicolas Kuhn, Matt O’Riley and Kyogo Furuhashi after the former had struck Celtic’s third goal of the day, with the trio busting out some pre-prepared moves, much to the delight of the already near-delirious Celtic Park crowd.
As well as showing some impressive rhythm, what it also showed according to the goalscorer was just how close the bond currently is between the Celtic players, an element of their make-up as a squad that is just as important in his view as anything they do during the games themselves.
They are taking as much joy at the moment from playing in this team, and working alongside their teammates, as the Celtic support seem to be taking in watching them during these early knockings of the season.
“One of us had to score to do the celebration,” Kuhn said.
“We knew before what we wanted to do. So, I’m happy that I scored.
“We listened to some Japanese music in the dressing room, and then Kyogo came up with the dance. And so, we said we're going to do the dance.
“I think Luis Palma is the best dancer. There's a group of really, really nice boys [in our dressing room] and I'm just happy to be here.
“We were really happy for Tony (Ralston) that he scored at the end [too]. I think it just shows that we share the joy and are happy for everyone.
“I don't think Tony can dance. I think he has to score some more goals and then maybe he gets into dancing!
“It was really important to start well. We continued what we did in the pre-season games. So, we're happy.
“The last [few] games [have] been really good. We scored four goals every game, so we hope it's going to keep going like that.”
There has been no shortcut to achieving the sort of bond that the Celtic players have forged with one another, but Kuhn points to their pre-season trip to the USA as a major factor in cementing the team spirit they are currently exhibiting.
“We got even closer together in pre-season,” he said.
“So, it was a really good start. The whole pre-season was good for me. And I hope I can show more.
“You can't hide from each other [when you are away on tour]. You have to see everyone each day. So, it was a really good pre-season and now we're happy to be back in Glasgow.
“What we showed also in the pre-season games was really good and we just continued with that. So, it can only get better.”
Kuhn is certainly getting better as he progresses in his Celtic career, after showing flashes of what he can do last season upon his January arrival in Glasgow, but not hitting the heights he knows he can on a consistent basis due to a mixture of fitness issues and a period of acclimatisation to the country, the league, and the demands of playing for the club.
He has reemerged after the summer looking stronger, sharper, and more in tune with his role in the Celtic side.
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“It was a little bit difficult for me coming in the winter, but now I'm getting used to the team,” he said.
“They know what I'm able to do, so I'm just happy.”
Of course, he will have to maintain the high standard he set against Kilmarnock if he is to stay in the Celtic line-up. For all the conjecture last season about the paucity of quality options for Rodgers on the wings, there is now healthy competition for places.
On Sunday, James Forrest shifted over to the left to fill in for the injured Daizen Maeda, but when the Japanese returns, there will be a six-way fight for two starting positions when you factor Luis Palma, Yang Hyun-jun and Mikey Johnston into the mix.
Kuhn is unfazed by the level of competition though.
“To have someone from behind who's pushing is always good,” he said.
“You need a lot of players also, with all the competitions we have ahead.”
Having sealed automatic qualification to the revamped Champions League group stage by winning the Premiership title last season, Celtic have the luxury of a week to prepare for their next game as they visit Hibernian on league duty on Sunday.
“It makes things a little bit more difficult if you don't have so much time to prepare,” Kuhn added.
“But we want to play, so it doesn't matter if we have a whole week of preparation or two days.”
