Nakamura: Celtic gave me World Cup boost

SHUNSUKE NAKAMURA yesterday praised Celtic for nurturing his World Cup final ambitions after being suffocated by Serie A. The diminutive Japan playmaker feels that a season with Gordon Strachan has repaired the damage done by a spell in Italy.
Nakamura was bought last August from Reggina for £2.8million and was given an artistic freedom by Strachan, despite doubts over the player’s physical fragility and ability to compete in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague.



Yet his eight goals, mostly from free kicks, and incisive passing became a key feature of the free-flowing style of play favoured Strachan en route to the title and the midfield player has also coped well with the physical demands of Scottish football and believes his overall awareness has improved.

“At Reggina I was playing in more of a striker’s role and chasing the ball down all the time,” Nakamura said in his homeland yesterday, where he has gone to prepare for the World Cup finals. “However, at Celtic the shape we use means there is more space on the flanks. I’d say my sense of positioning and ability to read the flow of the game are the main aspects that have improved since moving to Scotland.”

Japan, who will compete in group F, kick-off their World Cup campaign against Australia on June 12 before facing Croatia and Brazil.

Nakamura has vowed to make up this summer for the pain of missing out on the 2002 World Cup when it was staged in Japan. Four years ago, Philippe Troussier, the former coach, shattered Nakamura — whose stature in Japan, thanks to his many television advertisements, is akin to David Beckham’s — by leaving the gifted playmaker out of his squad, despite intense public and media pressure to include him.

However, with Troussier gone and Zico, the Brazil legend, now in charge, the 27-year-old is expected to play a pivotal role in Japan’s bid for success in Germany. “I was so determined not to miss out on the World Cup finals like four years ago,” Nakamura said. “I have been working hard over these past four years to try to take my game to the next level.

“It hasn’t been easy but I think my time abroad has made me a better player and my experiences off the pitch have made me a stronger person too. Troussier had his reasons for not picking me but I have just tried to work hard and become the kind of player that no coach could leave out.”

Nakamura has been linked recently with a move to Atlético Madrid in Spain but Celtic have received no offer, nor have they for Stilian Petrov, who had a transfer request rejected last month.

Petrov’s agent admitted yesterday that the Bulgaria midfield player could still be at Celtic for the start of next season. Tony McGill conceded that Petrov, who is contracted to Celtic until 2010, could begin the season there if the Scottish champions are unwilling to grant him a move. Petrov has been linked with Newcastle United and other clubs around Europe, including Bayern Munich to replace Michael Ballack, who joined Chelsea.

“It’s a very tricky situation,” McGill, who only became the Bulgarian’s agent after the player signed a contract extension in January, said. “If he had been my player before I would not have allowed this to happen and he would have been in a different place. However, he is in this position and he has asked me to try to get him out of this situation.

“I am not going to say where he is going to be after the summer. He is under contract at Celtic so if Celtic don’t want to sell him, then what can you do? The club touted his name about before he signed his contract in January and there was a lot of interest then. But now he has signed a new contract his present price is a lot higher so it’s up to the club to decide whether they want to sell him and at what price.”

Meanwhile, Celtic have offered another of McGill’s clients, Stanislav Varga, the defender, a further one-year deal. The 33-year-old’s contract expires next month and he looked set to leave after three years at the club. However, the Slovakia international was recalled to the team for the last six games of the season and those performances could win him a new deal. “There’s been four offers for Stan but I cannot say anything more just yet,” McGill said.

 

Love the *, amazing player

 

Me too

 

Me three!! he is a * gem!!

 

me four(too far) hes fantastic hes without a doubt celtic class

 

Me five (keeping it alive - cheese and all). Naka is a great player with fantastic ability. His passing, crossing and shooting are all top notch!

 

It was great to see him upping his workrate and toughness in the tackle in an attempt to fit into the Scottish game which will certainly help a player like hims play. Hope he does well in the World Cup!

 

He's a talented player but has yet to do himself justice in most away games.

Could be physically stronger. But immensely talented.

The good thing is, in the CL there are no teams who like to bully their oppostion. He will prove his worth in the CL.

 

He was good against Germany yesterday. Looking forward to japan-brazil. Should b a cracking match. I think Naka could light up that group along with the samba boys.

 

Naka scored against them last summer in the Confiderations Cup.

Looking forward to seeing all of the (Ex) Celtic players in the WC.

 

I said it from the beginning and I say it now, he is a star!

 

got him on ma top the hour he signed.crackin player and he will only get better if he gets Petrovs role of attacking midfield.
Only one Nakamura