The King of Japan is back in Glasgow – KT’s Shunsuke Nakamura reunion | OneFootball

Celtic legend Shunsuke Nakamura is back in Glasgow, the city he describes as his second home and there’s a very special reunion with Kieran Tierney…

21 11 06 – UEFA Champions League Group F Celtic v Man Utd 1 0 Celtic Park,  Shunsuke Nakamura scores with his free kick.  Manchester Utd Keeper Edwin van de Sar is stranded. Photo  Ian Rutherford  (IMAGO)

After meeting up with Kieran Tierney yesterday he will be co-commenting on the Japanese TV’s coverage of this afternoon’s World Cup warm-up friendly at Hampden between Scotland and Japan.

Welcome back to Glasgow Naka, you’re a true Celtic icon…

Shunsuke Nakamura is a name well known at Celtic Park. The Japanese superstar wowed the Celtic supporters during his four year career in the East End of Glasgow, and left as a Celtic legend with more than a few memorable moments imbedded in the minds of the Celtic supporters worldwide.

You can pick up a copy of Majic, Stan and the King of Japan from Celtic Star Books. It’s written by Matt Corr and tells the story of how Gordon Strachan managed to sign Shunsuke Nakamura and his remarkable first season at the club. It’s just £10 plus P&P and is a brilliant read.

Shunsuke Nakamura of Celtic during the Scottish Premier League match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox on May 9, 2009. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Naka is  back in Glasgow, where he spent four years of his career, and this city is also the birthplace of his son this weekend, this time as a pundit for Japanese television as The Samurai Blue take on Scotland at Hampden in a warm up match for the upcoming World Cup finals in the USA, where both clubs will be competing.

The cultured midfielder was one of the best players to have played in this country, and made his mark not just domestically, but in the highest level of football in the Champions League.

Naka was well known for his precision from dead ball situations, with his ability to convert a free kick absolutely legendary not just in the Scottish game, but worldwide.

The Yokohama born playmaker who won 98 caps for Japan, fully carved his name in Celtic folklore by producing some memorable moments of magic during a trophy laden four years in the hoops, making the £2 million fee the club paid to Italian side Reggina look ridiculous.

Banners are unfolded for Shunsuke Nakamura of Celtic during the Scottish Premier League match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park on May 24, 2009. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)

The free kick Naka scored against a star studded Manchester United side doesn’t need any explanation, nor does his iconic last gasp dead ball effort against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park that clinched the league title.

His sensational long range effort against Rangers FC was just as memorable, but that is just the high profile efforts, as Naka was just as efficient and consistent in his entire Celtic career, scoring 34 goals and providing numerous assists in 166 appearances in the green and white.

Welcome home Naka!

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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