It was matchday five of the UEFA Champions League group stages, and Celtic were playing host to Manchester United. The game was finely poised when the Hoops won a free-kick 35 yards from goal with just nine minutes of the match remaining.
A hush of anticipation descended upon the stadium as Shunsuke Nakamura prepared to take the set-piece.
The Japanese genius stepped up and fired the ball into the top corner of the United net beyond the despairing dive of goalkeeper, Edwin Van der Sar… Paradise erupted!
Nakamura’s goal gave the Hoops a 1-0 victory and ensured they qualified for the knockout stages of the competition for the first time in the club’s history.
There can have been few better free-kicks ever witnessed at Celtic Park, and even 14 years on from that wonderful European night, memories of it still produce goosebumps.
And in remembering Naka’s breathtaking goal, we delve into the Celtic View archives for an interview with the Japanese playmaker he gave the week after the game against Manchester United…
AMIDST the bedlam of Celtic Park, as almost 60,000 supporters urged the team on in search of victory against Manchester United, one man stood out as a beacon of calm.
This story is from the Vol 56 Issue 18 edition of Celtic View.
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This story is from the Vol 56 Issue 18 edition of Celtic View.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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Christopher Jullien was a frustrated spectator as he recovered from injury, but now that he’s back, he’s determined to play his part along with his team-mates to get back to winning ways
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NEXT week the Christmas edition of the Celtic View will be out, which means this will be the last column I write in 2020.
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Danny Crainie was proud to wear the Hoops and he continues to back the team as a supporter
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