Celtic Superstars

IN this season’s matchday programmes, we have been looking at the careers of some true Celtic legends in a feature called Celtic Superstars.

- Joe Sullivan

Shunsuke Nakamura

As a taster of the programme feature, we look back to December’s matchday issue for the 5-1 win over Kilmarnock, which highlighted the Hoops career of Japanese genius, Shunsuke Nakamura.

BORN: June 24, 1978 in Yokohama, Japan

JOINED: July 29, 2005 from Reggina

LEFT: June 23, 2009 to Espanyol

FIRST GAME

August 6, 2005, League, Celtic 2-0 Dundee United, Celtic Park Shunsuke Nakamura was the unrivalled star of the show in a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Dundee United. John Hartson and a stunning late volley from Craig Beattie sealed the victory, but the vision, invention and trickery of the new Bhoy was the most significant plus point from a match that ended with the Hoops faithful buzzing with excitement about their new idol. From the moment he strolled on to Celtic Park’s lush, sun-kissed turf, Nakamura was immediately the centre of attention, and it quickly became clear that he would also be the player through whom most of Celtic’s attacks would start. Nakamura could, in fact, have marked his debut with a goal inside the opening minute, with the Japanese midfielder starting and very nearly finishing a move which ended with Stuart Duff clearing a goal-bound glancing header off the line.

NICKNAME