Some Celtic fans were feeling nostalgic about Shunsuke Nakamura, hailing him as the best free-kick taker in the club’s history.
The Japanese is still an active footballer at the age of 41. He is currently plying his trade with J2 League side Yokohoma in his home country. He joined the club from another Japanese club in Jubilo Iwata in 2017.
But the midfielder is, perhaps, best known for his time at Celtic. He joined the club from Reggina in the summer of 2005 and he was in the Glaswegian club till 2009, when he joined the Spanish side Espanyol.
Some Celtic fans are reminiscing about the Japanese and are hailing his abilities, ten years on since his departure to Spain.
Best dead ball expert we have had at Celtic ? pic.twitter.com/WhxxjAxOeh
— Highland__Paddy (@Highland__paddy) November 14, 2019
Definitely the best. Although, Alan Thompson got better & better as his Celtic career progressed. I can’t begin to count the amount of goals he teed up for The King.
— Alan M. Lappin (@GiggsyBlantyre) November 14, 2019
Was in Japan this Summer….The man is still playing and rightfully a living legend there!
HUGE market too.
We need a new Japanese legend IMO!— Sanfranceltic (@Sme51899360) November 14, 2019
Nakamura for me john collins was great too but Nakamura gets it big Pierre could hit them too
— James McQ (@JamesMcQ80) November 14, 2019
Agreed – when Naka had a free kick, it was almost as good as being awarded a penalty
— Steve McGrory (@SteveMcGrory2) November 15, 2019
No doubt about it. Phenomenal.
— Ross Cassidy (@rosscassidy85) November 15, 2019
This season in the J2 League, Nakamura has played eight times in the league and has also scored one goal.
During his Celtic stint, Nakamura had scored 142 times in all competitions for the Hoops. He had also managed to find the back of the net as many as 28 times and had racked up a tally of 36 assists too.
For the Japanese national team, the playmaker had played 98 times in total. He had scored 24 times. He had played for his country in the FIFA World Cup of 2006 and he did score for Japan in their opening game of the campaign against Australia.
Some fans also hailed Nakamura as one of the best in football.
Definitely. He‘s one of the best in world football
— Daniel_VVN ???? (@LakerByNature) November 14, 2019
Best on the planet, even Le Tissier said so
— Kevin McLaughlin (@kevinmcl29) November 14, 2019
What do we think?
Nakamura was arguably one of the best players in Celtic history. He had helped the club to three Scottish Premiership titles during his time at Celtic Park, also winning the Scottish Cup in 2007. His free-kick abilities and technical abilities left many dazzled and his achievements for the Japenese national team also make him an icon in Asian football.