Knackered Naka Set to Miss Start Of Season

Last updated : 23 July 2008 By Clydebuilt
Celtic's mercurial midfield maestro Shunsuke Nakamura is set to miss out on the opening game of the SPL season. The Japanese international is to go under the knife to rectify a hernia problem in Germany. The player will be out of action for at least three-weeks ruling him out of Celtic's opening tie against St Mirren on the tenth of August.

Nakamura said "I've had pain from my groin, an ankle and a calf since the end of last season.

"But the calf and ankle have been getting better in recent weeks.

"While I was playing for Japan, I took pain-relieving medicine. But it got worse."

As if that news was not bad enough it would appear that Nakamura's compatriot Koki Mizuno is also set to undergo surgery to alleviate problems with his knee.

He said: "I've been in pain since injuring my knee playing for the reserves against Gretna back in March. It's got so bad I can't play any longer."

Thank goodness we have strength in reserve! With players who can play wide such as Robson and Paul Caddis who impressed when he was deployed on the flank against Southampton plus the likes of Hartley and Brown who are all capable of playing in that position Celtic are well equipped to allow the Japanese genius to recover in time for the Champions League group stages.

Yours in Celtic

Clydebuilt