Shunsuke Nakamura - appreciation thread

League 2 in Japan or not… still playing at 43 is impressive

 

Loved Naka! Class!

 

Try and write down a list of the top 10 most iconic Celtic moments over the last two decades and Shunsuke Nakamura’s name will pop up at least once.

Over four seasons, he produced title-winning goals, mesmerising derby moments and sublime European strikes to become an icon for Celtic and create Hooped headlines in Japan.

For the brand new edition of the Celtic View magazine, we take inspiration from the Japanese connections in the club’s history, with various exclusive interviews and features.

Shunsuke Nakamura sat down with the View and here we take a short look at some of his favourite memories in his own words.




Speaking about his connection to the club, the 43-year-old said: “Celtic is my club. They have made my life rich with happiness.



Four seasons at Celtic was a dream for me and I was in a special place with fans that are like my family.”

On the winning free-kick goal against Manchester United in the Champions League in 2006, he said: “That was my type of distance and they had Edwin Van Der Sar in the goal who was amazing, but I hit it perfectly.

“After that, Artur Boruc saved a penalty and we beat Manchester United in the best of situations. It was an awesome night.”

 

Sublime player.

 

He was * awesome.

 

He'll never lose his dead ball ability.

 

He was amazing.

 

Brilliant player, his dead ball skills were second to none.

 

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2022/10/17/soccer/j-league/shunsuke-nakamura-to-retire/

Former Japan and Celtic star Shunsuke Nakamura, currently at Yokohama FC in the J. League second division, is set to retire at the end of the season, sources familiar with the matter said Monday.

The 44-year-old midfielder, known for his deadly set-piece deliveries with his left foot, played 98 games for Japan, scoring 24 goals, and was part of the 2006 and 2010 World Cup squads.




The two-time J. League MVP has scored 73 goals in 408 games in J1. His 24 goals from free kicks are the most in the league’s history.

After making his debut with Yokohama Marinos in 1997, Nakamura quickly became a popular name in the J. League and featured regularly for Japan but was a shock omission by the then-manager Philippe Troussier ahead of the home World Cup in 2002.

Nakamura joined Reggina that summer and spent three seasons in Italy’s Serie A before signing for Scottish giant Celtic, where he became a fan favorite and shone in the Champions League during his four-year spell.

Following a half-year stint at Espanyol in Spain’s La Liga, Nakamura returned to Marinos in 2010 before joining Jubilo Iwata in 2017.

Nakamura has been with Yokohama FC since 2019. He has played five games this season in J2 and the side won promotion to J1 on Sunday.

Nakamura has voiced his desire to take up a coaching role in the future.

 

Get him back to Glasgow...I know I have voiced frustrations with hiring ex players as they only just start out in coaching.

But * it, its Naka, get him over here

 

Get him in purely to teach dead ball situations.

 

Nakumuratastic agrees with this post!

 

Nakumuratastic says you are wise o' footballing one!

 

I still remember back in 2005 his first day.

When asked how long he would be at Celtic, he famously quipped (in Japanese),

"I don't know how long I'll have the privilege of playing for this great club, but I tell you this, I will not retire from professional football until Ireland is free or Lizzie's in a box. UTLR"

A man true to his word.

 

If there's a part of the footballing game we suck at, as a club, it's direct set pieces. Given that we have 4 Japanese players at the club, I think Nakamura would feel right at home.

BRING HIM HOME!!!