Nakamura and Hinkel partnership promises much for Celtic

CELTIC 3
Vennegoor of
Hesselink (37) McDonald (70) Nakamura (75)

STIRLING ALBION 0

IT WASN'T just Shunsuke Nakamura's spectacular goal that showed Celtic what they've been missing for the past two and a half months. There was enough evidence during Saturday's routine Scottish Cup fourth-round victory over Stirling Albion to suggest that the Japanese international's partnership with Andreas Hinkel will add a new attacking dimension to Gordon Strachan's team on the right flank.

Playing for the first time since injuring his knee at the end of October, Nakamura marked his return by conjuring up the type of goal that has become his trademark at Celtic Park. Picking up a loose ball 25 yards from goal, he quickly got his body in position before wrapping his left foot around it to expertly swerve a shot high into the top right-hand corner of the net. Scott Christie, the Stirling Albion goalkeeper, had no chance.

It was a moment of brilliance from Nakamura, albeit a rare one on a day when he was trying to find his feet again after more than ten weeks on the sidelines. Indeed, Stirling left-back Stuart Devine had the upper hand on his opponent for much of the first half, and Gordon Strachan substituted the right midfielder immediately after his spectacular strike in the 75th minute.

The Celtic manager admitted that Nakamura was "rusty" but must have taken encouragement from the way he combined with Hinkel, the £2.1 million signing from Sevilla making his debut at right-back. One game against a part-time team rooted to the bottom of the First Division is not enough to make an accurate assessment of his value, but Hinkel made a good first impression. Strachan said he made the team "a lot stronger and better balanced."

The German international frequently made forward runs from his full-back position, linked up well with Nakamura and delivered several penetrating crosses. "He was a more attacking player than I thought," said Nakamura of Hinkel. "I think we can work on some combinations."

The dozen or so Japanese reporters who were at Celtic Park to cover his every touch were just as pleased as Strachan to see Nakamura return to action. "It's so exciting. I'm very glad to be back," said the 29-year-old through an interpreter. I don't think the team has been struggling. I know that Aiden McGeady has had some great performances recently. If I can do the same on my side maybe it will make it easier for Aiden."

Asked to respond to rumours that Yokohama Marinas would like to take him back to Japan, Nakamura joked that he will be ready to return to his homeland "when Peter (Lawell, the Celtic chief executive] says 'I don't need you any more'."

Nakamura has proved valuable on and off the pitch for Celtic, but won't outstay his welcome. "Of course I will go back to Japan eventually, at time in the future," he added. "I don't want to finish my career away from my home. Marinos was the club I started my professional career with, so that would be great if I could go back there."

Before then, Nakamura wants to help Koki Mizuno adjust to life in Glasgow when his 22-year-old compatriot joins Celtic in a month's time. Although Mizuno is also a natural right-midfielder, Nakamura believes they can play together.

"I'd like to help him because we're both Japaense, said Nakamura. "He's a young player as well so maybe I can support him. I had quite a hard time in Italy, so I'll help as much as possible. I'm sure he can train with the first team, that's for sure. He's still a young player and it will be his first time away from home, so it will take him a few months to settle down here. It might be difficult, but I'm sure he can do it. I'm sure he can play as a right-back as well, so maybe that's a possibility."

In the meantime, however, Nakamura will concentrate on developing his relationship with Hinkel. Both players could be crucial in busy weeks ahead. Nakamura's participation in Celtic's fifth-round tie away to either Airdrie United or Kilmarnock may be in doubt because of Japan's World Cup qualifier against Thailand in Saitama on 6 February, but Strachan will at least have him available for the rest of this month.

His return is a timely one. After coming out of hibernation with their first game in two weeks, Celtic are now gearing up for four a busy schedule, starting with Kilmarnock's visit on Saturday.

For all that Hinkel and Nakamura offered something different to Celtic going forward on the right, the left-hand side was the source of the first and second goals. Aiden McGeady's change of pace created the first eight minutes before half time, the winger accelerating to the byline to deliver a cross which was easily headed home from close range by Jan Venegoor af Hesselink. Left-back Lee Maylor provided the second with a similar run in the 70th minute, taking advantage of a slip in the Stirling defence before squaring for Scott McDonald, who steered the ball into the corner with his instep from ten yards.

For a team cut adrift at the foot of the First Division, Stirling were well organised in defence, disciplined in midfield and came close to scoring near the end when Arthur Boruc did well to parry a powerful header from Andrew Graham.

Midfielder Ross Harris, who was released from Celtic by Strachan and only started because of an injury to Steven Bell during the warm-up, acknowledged that similar performances are essential in the forthcoming league fixtures if they are to dig themselves out of trouble. Harris, John Paul McBride and Chris Aitken played well in the centre of Stirling's midfield, and know they won't have to face players of the quality of Hinkel and Nakamura for the rest of the season.

Celtic have bigger barriers than Stirling to overcome in the weeks and months ahead, but their new combination on the right flank suggests they are equipped for the task.