Shunsuke Nakamura has made an appearance on Celtic’s Japan tour. The former Hoops star joined Reo Hatate, Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda and Yuki Kobayashi at the Nissan Stadium for a press conference with the Japanese media this morning.
Nakamura was an exceptional talent back in his day and Celtic were certainly very lucky to have him. An absolute genius with the ball at his feet and from set-pieces and dead-ball situations, he saved the day for Celtic on several occasions during his time at Paradise. Screamers against Manchester United and the old Rangers were particular highlights of that era at Celtic Park.
Glasgow, UNITED KINGDOM: Celtic’s Shunsuke Nakamura tries to break past Rangers’ Olivier Bernard durinmg the CIS Cup quarter final, at Celtic Park, Glasgow 09November 2005. AFP PHOTO Ian Stewart (Photo credit should read IAN STEWART/AFP via Getty Images)
Somewhat of a cult figure too, his status back home in Japan is watertight to this very day. A wonderful technician, not since Lubo Moravcik had Celtic had a after of such natural ability and skillset with a football. It’s something we have sorely lacked for some years now at Parkhead and it shows at times, especially during those tight games against packed defences or European fixtures.
Paul Gillespie