.JPG)
Photos: AP/Getty, Daniel C.
I can honestly say I was devastated this morning when I flipped to the back pages of the Evening Times when I arrived for work. I had not got into my bed until 4am after returning from a film premiere in Edinburgh last night, but it was not for lack of sleep that I was getting a wee bit emotional this morning.
Rumours have been swirling for weeks, but it was finally confirmed today that Glasgow Celtic's most popular footballer - 'Soccer player' - will be trading the rain in Scotland for the sun in Spain. 30-year-old Shunsuke Nakamura was expected see out his playing days into the red sunset in his native Yokohama, Japan.
Rumours have been swirling for weeks, but it was finally confirmed today that Glasgow Celtic's most popular footballer - 'Soccer player' - will be trading the rain in Scotland for the sun in Spain. 30-year-old Shunsuke Nakamura was expected see out his playing days into the red sunset in his native Yokohama, Japan.
Instead the sun will rise on Barcelona, where Naka will join up will La Liga side Espanyol. Espanyol are the cross-town rivals to my beloved FC Barcelona. Barca will get more trouble from 'el Classico' rivalry with Real Madrid, and as the best club team in the world, will not have trouble with minnows Espanyol. I say that now, but Nakamura is known for his timely contributions and goals in huge matches.
His ninja kick of has been unleashed many times for Celtic, so it wouldn't be beyond him to stick a dagger in the side of Barcelona. He is also has some of the best ball control and footwork in the world.
His ninja kick of has been unleashed many times for Celtic, so it wouldn't be beyond him to stick a dagger in the side of Barcelona. He is also has some of the best ball control and footwork in the world.
A few years back, Nakamura scored two stung free kicks, seeing the Glasgow side pull of a miracle in taking down rivals Manchester United in the Champions League (1st goal and 2nd goal). In the most important game of the season last year, Naka became the first Japanese-born player to score in an 'Old Firm' match against bitter Glasgow rivals Rangers.
The Old Firm derby is one of the oldest team-sports rivalries in the world, dating from 1888. He also famously scored a hat-trick for Celtic. (Make sure to click 'HQ' if you choose to watch these vids in yes, 'High Quality.' They make my hair stand on end. Thrilling stuff). Yokohama F. Marinos - where Naka began his career as a teenager- were expected to bring the star back to Japan, but a deal fell through as parent firm Nissan has failed to come up with the money for a transfer fee do to times of economic hardship.
Sidenote: (Sincere apologies for mentioning economic downturn, but that phrase is written into every new story in Scotland, along with 'the Year of Scottish Homecoming' and 'Swine-flu'). Nakamura's wife has become increasingly uncomfortable in Scotland, and has already returned to Japan with their children, whom they feel need to spend important development years at home. It has, however, always been Nakamura's dream to play in Spain.
Funny connection: Celtic's most famous player of all time, Henrik Larsson, made a two-year stop in Barcelona before returning with his wife and kids to his native Sweden, where he felt his family belonged. Legions of Celtic-daft fans from Scotland and abroad have embraced Japan's most famous wee man over the past four seasons, although he has refused to learn English, embrace Scots culture, or even speak to the UK media.
He is the equivalent of David Beckham in Japan, so most of his time was spent fulfilling sponsorship duties and and marketing to spend his time Celtic supporters speak about only wanting players and managers at the club who are 'Celtic minded'. If they aren't Scottish or Irish, then they should at least have a passion for the club.
It seems all Nakamura's communication with the Celtic support was through his silky football displays on the pitch. Every time he trots across the pitch to line up a corner with that legendary left foot, the Celtic support go wild and chant his name at the top of their lunges.
Nakamura tore off his Celtic shirt and swung it around his head after he scored the league championship-winning goal in 2007. Since that day he has held the status of legend with the Celtic support. Nakamura has also been known to kiss the four-leaf clover crest on his shirt, and point out the clubs logo over his heart after scoring important goals. To the Celtic support, kissing the crest is the equivalent of signing a contract in blood, and is the greatest sign of respect. Celtic-minded? I think so.
Showing emotion like Nakamura has on the pitch at Celtic is unheard of for Japanese men. Men of status are for the most part are quite reserved and conservative from what I've been told. (Sidenote: The same can probably not be said for my good friend Toshi, the wine legend at my former place of employement in Calgary.
He is far from reserved, and is known to dance on bars and the whole bit). Back to the story - Nakamura was followed in Scotland at all times by members of the Japanese media. Papparazzi, magazine reporters - the whole deal. Nakamura's love for Celtic did not have to be explained to fans in Japan, however, as they simply got to know the club, and became huge supporters themselves.
The Old Firm derby is one of the oldest team-sports rivalries in the world, dating from 1888. He also famously scored a hat-trick for Celtic. (Make sure to click 'HQ' if you choose to watch these vids in yes, 'High Quality.' They make my hair stand on end. Thrilling stuff). Yokohama F. Marinos - where Naka began his career as a teenager- were expected to bring the star back to Japan, but a deal fell through as parent firm Nissan has failed to come up with the money for a transfer fee do to times of economic hardship.
Sidenote: (Sincere apologies for mentioning economic downturn, but that phrase is written into every new story in Scotland, along with 'the Year of Scottish Homecoming' and 'Swine-flu'). Nakamura's wife has become increasingly uncomfortable in Scotland, and has already returned to Japan with their children, whom they feel need to spend important development years at home. It has, however, always been Nakamura's dream to play in Spain.
Funny connection: Celtic's most famous player of all time, Henrik Larsson, made a two-year stop in Barcelona before returning with his wife and kids to his native Sweden, where he felt his family belonged. Legions of Celtic-daft fans from Scotland and abroad have embraced Japan's most famous wee man over the past four seasons, although he has refused to learn English, embrace Scots culture, or even speak to the UK media.
He is the equivalent of David Beckham in Japan, so most of his time was spent fulfilling sponsorship duties and and marketing to spend his time Celtic supporters speak about only wanting players and managers at the club who are 'Celtic minded'. If they aren't Scottish or Irish, then they should at least have a passion for the club.
It seems all Nakamura's communication with the Celtic support was through his silky football displays on the pitch. Every time he trots across the pitch to line up a corner with that legendary left foot, the Celtic support go wild and chant his name at the top of their lunges.
Nakamura tore off his Celtic shirt and swung it around his head after he scored the league championship-winning goal in 2007. Since that day he has held the status of legend with the Celtic support. Nakamura has also been known to kiss the four-leaf clover crest on his shirt, and point out the clubs logo over his heart after scoring important goals. To the Celtic support, kissing the crest is the equivalent of signing a contract in blood, and is the greatest sign of respect. Celtic-minded? I think so.
Showing emotion like Nakamura has on the pitch at Celtic is unheard of for Japanese men. Men of status are for the most part are quite reserved and conservative from what I've been told. (Sidenote: The same can probably not be said for my good friend Toshi, the wine legend at my former place of employement in Calgary.
He is far from reserved, and is known to dance on bars and the whole bit). Back to the story - Nakamura was followed in Scotland at all times by members of the Japanese media. Papparazzi, magazine reporters - the whole deal. Nakamura's love for Celtic did not have to be explained to fans in Japan, however, as they simply got to know the club, and became huge supporters themselves.
Celtic has been decorated and recognized the world over for having passionate, lively and classy fans. The Japanese were always welcome, and will always have a home at Celtic. Nakamura's protege still remains at Celtic, the young Koki Mizuno.
Mizuno could one day achieve legendary statues at the Glasgow club like the man he idolizes himself. I remember going to a match at Celtic Park in the East End of Glasgow a few years back, and the car park was full of coaches transporting Japanese tourists who had flown from the land of sushi and Saki just to see this guy kick the ball. (As well as buying up all the expensive whisky in the country, as Japan is the number one importer is the world of Scotch Whisky.
They are also the number one importer of fine red wine from Bordeaux. (Sidenote: Have started to research working in Japan). Back to the story - It was also 'free jersey printing day' at the Celtic superstore, and when I asked to get Nakamura's name printed across the back of my new strip - after a queue of about 25 Japanese girls- the Scots girl behind the desk had an understandable reaction.
Mizuno could one day achieve legendary statues at the Glasgow club like the man he idolizes himself. I remember going to a match at Celtic Park in the East End of Glasgow a few years back, and the car park was full of coaches transporting Japanese tourists who had flown from the land of sushi and Saki just to see this guy kick the ball. (As well as buying up all the expensive whisky in the country, as Japan is the number one importer is the world of Scotch Whisky.
They are also the number one importer of fine red wine from Bordeaux. (Sidenote: Have started to research working in Japan). Back to the story - It was also 'free jersey printing day' at the Celtic superstore, and when I asked to get Nakamura's name printed across the back of my new strip - after a queue of about 25 Japanese girls- the Scots girl behind the desk had an understandable reaction.
Nakamura also scored a goal that day, and I had a hard time containing my excitement in front of all the execs in suits and ties in the hospitality suite where I was sitting. I have had the pleasure of seeing Nakamura score twice for Celtic as far as I can recall (I have been to a dozen or so matches), and even found the videos. Naka vs Kilmarnock, and Naka vs Hearts (first goal on the video). I hope you have learned something today. I'm not sure why or how I remember all these details. I'm not sure why I chose to even write this. Thought I should get it off my chest. Crying myself to sleep, watching classic Nakamura highlights.
Goodnight.
Goodnight.
1 comment:
You wrote this because of your passion for both writing and the sport of football. Japan you say?? I hope Toshi is reading this as well!!
Get some sleep! :)
Post a Comment