FIVE MAGICAL NAKA MOMENTS

UEFA Champions League
November 21, 2006
Celtic 1-0 Manchester United

Everyone remembers this moment and this game, as the Hoops beat Manchester United 1-0 to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. The winning goal came with just nine minutes remaining as Shunsuke Nakamura executed the perfect free-kick from 30 yards out in the inside-right channel, the ball soaring into the top left-hand corner of Edwin van der Sar’s net. There was also even later drama, as Artur Boruc saved a Louis Saha penalty to give Celtic the win. It was Naka’s second goal against Manchester United that season, having scored another great free-kick in the 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford.

Scottish Premier League
October 14, 2006
Dundee United 1-4 Celtic

Celtic found themselves trailing to a Noel Hunt goal after just five minutes, and it took until a minute before the break to get the equaliser, which came courtesy of a close-range Nakamura goal. And just two minutes after the break the Japanese attacker put Celtic in front with another goal from close-range at the far post. But he saved his best for last. After Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink made it 3-1, Nakamura completed his hat-trick just before the hour mark, combining with Jiri Jarosik before guiding the ball beyond the goalkeeper from the edge of the area. Naka also netted another hat-trick for the Hoops. That came on February 28, 2009 when he scored three of Celtic’s goals in a 7-0 home win over St Mirren.

Scottish Premier League
December 26, 2006
Celtic 2-2 Dundee United

With 78 minutes played at Celtic Park on Boxing Day, the Hoops found themselves trailing 2-0 to Dundee United and starting at a festive season defeat. Then Nakamura stepped up and transformed the game. First, he delivered a free-kick from the right touchline that was headed home by Darren O’Dea and then, just two minutes later he scored an equaliser that would be voted Goal of the Season come of the end of the campaign. The ball was floated forward by Evander Sno to Derek Riordan who cushioned his header to Naka, and from the left-hand edge of the area, he produced a sublime chip to lift the ball over the Dundee United goalkeeper and into the net. It was a breathtaking moment of brilliance!

Scottish Premier League
April 22, 2007
Kilmarnock 1-2 Celtic

With just five league matches remaining, Celtic travelled to Rugby Park knowing that a victory would retain the league title. And the Celtic fans packed into the stadium started their celebrations when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink opened the scoring after 24 minutes. However, 10 minutes into the second half, Kilmarnock equalised and the game was heading towards a draw when Nakamura won a free-kick 25 yards out in the inside-right channel. The Japanese playmaker dusted himself down, stepped up and curled an unstoppable shot into the back of the net… Celtic were the champions! It was one of eight goals Naka scored against Killie, six of which were free-kicks!

Scottish Premier League
April 16, 2008
Celtic 2-1 Rangers

In the 2007/08 title race, Celtic found themselves seven points off the top of the table with seven games remaining, and having played one game more than their title rivals, Rangers. It meant that Gordon Strachan’s side would have to win all seven games, including both Glasgow derby matches, and hope their rivals slipped up elsewhere. After a win over Motherwell, the Hoops hosted Rangers and Shunsuke Nakamura opened the scoring on 20 minutes, controlling a pass in the middle of the park from Gary Caldwell before unleashing a blistering 40-yard shot that dipped and swerved beyond Allan McGregor. Despite Rangers equalising, Vennegoor of Hesselink scored a last-minute winner to keep Celtic’s title hopes alive. The Hoops would go on to win the league, with the Dutch striker scoring the winning goal at Tannadice on a night when the title was won for Tommy Burns, who had sadly passed away just days beforehand.

Naka's magical moments in the green and white Hoops