Japanese star lets his boots do the
talking By Darryl Broadfoot
GLASGOW - For Shunsuke Nakamura, the
morning after the night before did not begin with
a strong dosage of Alka Seltzer. The Scottish
Professional Footballers' Association player of
the year is a practicing abstinent, and while many
of his colleagues would have been forgiven for a
hangover from the after-show party, the Japanese
was back in his training gear at Celtic Park for
the benefit of a battery of photographers.
The ubiquitous throng of Japanese
journalists had their own version of an
all-nighter, relaying news of personal coronation and
Celtic's triumph in the back
to his homeland from dusk until dawn. Celtic won
the Bank of Scotland Premier League title at
Kilmarnock at the weekend thanks to Nakamura's
dramatic last-gasp free-kick.
Nakamura
carried his crystal memento for being voted the
best by fellow professionals and an alluring aura
on Monday. He offered a rare insight into a unique
existence: a man with only a cursory grasp of the English
language, a shy disposition and a
cross-continental adulation that borders on
one-man Beatlemania.
He attended Sunday
night's dinner in Glasgow and conveyed his
gratitude through the translator who only leaves
his side when the action gets under way. His
duties dispensed with, Nakamura then repaired home
to the family to be met by his excitable children
and a celebratory cake baked by his wife's own
fair hands.
"I do not drink but I did go
home and spend time with the family, taking
photographs with my children and the trophy," the
28-year-old said. "They were waiting for
me when I got back with a cake."
Even
geniuses try to retain a semblance of normality.
Nakamura gave a compelling argument against his
manager Gordon Strachan's description of his rare
talent, but in recalling the early years he showed
the real genius lies in his dedication to his art.
"I do not think I'm a genius," he said
bashfully. "Geniuses don't make mistakes. Some
people say I can't tackle or head the ball but I
try and contribute to the team by using my brain.
Maybe I should try to improve the other aspects of
my game."
Given his propensity for hard
work, it is doubtful if Nakamura could devote any
more time to his craft. He famously celebrated his
free-kick against English club Manchester United
in the Champions League in the gym and looked as
fresh as a newly sprouted daffodil on Monday.
Awards are the fruit of his labor and the
reward for countless hours spent overcoming
physical deficiencies as a youngster in Yokohama.
"When I was younger I was really small and not
very muscular," he said, now blessed with the
physique of the finest featherweight.
"I
could not even kick the ball very far. I used to
practice in the park just trying to aim for the
same point every time. Then I discovered and
developed the curl and once I got some muscles it
all came together."
Free kicks are his
forte, but there is more to Nakamura than this. He
has balletic balance, an instinctive vision and
marvellous manipulation of a football. Nakamura
has scored 11 times this season, seven times from
free-kicks.
"The day before a game, I
spend 30 minutes or so taking free-kicks so that I
have a feel for the ball just before a match," he
said.
Nakamura's following is at odds with
his personality. He looked detached and isolated
for much of his first season but is now more
comfortable in his surroundings.
He still
relies heavily on his translator and gave a strong
indication that he sees his future at Celtic - or
at least in Britain - by making English lessons a
priority during the summer.
"The players
do not speak any Japanese, so I think I need to do
my best to learn English," he said. "I should
really be thinking about that for next season.
Having said that, maybe it's good for him
[translator] that I don't, to keep him in a job."
Concerns over an imminent departure are a
by-product of his success. Signed for
significantly less than the 2 million pounds
sterling (US$4 million) quoted on arrival from
Italian club Reggina, he has arguably been the
best piece of football business conducted by
Celtic.
His basic salary is said to be
very basic indeed, but with 2 million pounds alone
from his sponsors, Adidas, per season, and the
benefit of having negotiated his own image rights,
it is estimated that Nakamura has earned upwards
of 5 million pounds per year.
The need to
keep him is obvious, and Peter Lawwell, the Celtic
chief executive, will doubtless be preparing to
take the first tentative steps toward
renegotiation. Manchester United manager Sir Alex
Ferguson is not only a huge admirer but manager of
a club with huge investment in the Far Eastern
market. Nakamura has also been linked with a move
to the Italian league and at 28 is acutely aware
of the need to make the right decision.
Leaving Celtic would only be entertained
if the offer provides scope for even greater
personal development. "The manager, supporters and
whole environment make me want to stay next year,"
he said reassuringly. "I am very comfortable with
the idea but as a player you want to be in the
situation where you are always challenging
yourself to improve.
"If I was younger, I
might have said I want to go to Spain and then
maybe go back to Japan, but I am not that young
any more, so I will think about it all during the
off-season."
In Strachan, he could ask for
no better coach to allow him full expression. At
Reggina, his productivity was punctured by six
managerial changes. "The manager really knows his
football and how to look after players," he said.
Nakamura is distinctly low maintenance. He
plays, he trains, he invariably delivers. The
manager has no fears of front-page exposes but,
equally, Nakamura is aware of the importance of
integration with teammates.
"I am not that
kind of person," he said, when asked to what
extent he indulged in the title party. I am easily
embarrassed and just concentrate on my football
and providing great performances. I am a shy and
quiet person but it's important to be part of the
team and not break up that inner circle. The
attention here is fine and the media handle things
well, but in Japan it is much more difficult."
Sunday's goal was self-explanatory. "You
do not often get that situation in injury time
where you can score a goal that can win the
championship, so it was a special feeling," he
said.
Having voted for Falkirk's veteran
midfielder Russell Latapy as the player of the
year, Nakamura also gave special mention to the
contribution of Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc to
the season's successes.
"Manchester United
was the highlight for me. I scored a goal and
Artur saved a penalty," he began. "He should have
won this award, too, for his saves and his
consistency. It's easy to give it to players who
are in the limelight but there are not too many
goalkeepers like him."
There are even
fewer outfield masters like Nakamura.
Reproduced with the permission of
The Herald, Glasgow. Copyright Newsquest (Herald
& Times)Ltd.
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Office: Unit B, 16/F, Li Dong Building, No. 9 Li Yuen Street East,
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grasp of the English
language, a shy disposition and a
cross-continental adulation that borders on
one-man Beatlemania. 
