Under-pressure Japan coach Takeshi Okada took few risks in naming his country’s 23-man World Cup squad.

Former Celtic midfielder Barry Robson believes Aiden McGeady could be the next player to leave Parkhead as Tony Mowbray shapes his own team.

Holland 3 Japan 0

Celtic coach Peter Grant revealed the Parkhead club are still looking to augment their squad ahead of their crucial Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Moscow in Glasgow next Wednesday.

MICHAEL ESSIEN’S future at Chelsea has been thrown into doubt after his agent claims the midfielder would consider a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Espanyol have confirmed they have reached an agreement for Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura to join the Primera Division club on a two-year deal.

Celtic 0 Hearts 0

A Japanese club says it is interested in signing Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura.

Swindon Town have told Celtic they will have to pay £2.5m to land striker Simon Cox.

Hibernian 0 Celtic 0

CELTIC climbed back to the top of the Scottish Premier League after a nervy win over spirited Dundee United at Parkhead last night.

Celtic 2 Dundee United 1

Rangers 1 Celtic 0

Aberdeen 1 Celtic 3

Shunsuke Nakamura and Stephen McManus have both been passed fit for Celtic’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Aberdeen tomorrow.

Shunsuke Nakamura is an injury doubt for Celtic’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League trip to Aberdeen after suffering a groin injury in training.

Celtic 2 Aberdeen 0

Hearts 1 Celtic 1

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan made four changes as the Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders faced Hearts at Tynecastle today.

JAN Vennegoor of Hesselink netted his second goal in five days as Celtic comfortably maintained their three-point lead at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League last night.

Celtic 4 Falkirk 0

Celtic midfielder Willo Flood believes the Hoops will have to develop a killer instinct if they are to brush aside Rangers and win their fourth Clydesdale Bank Premier League title in succession.

Dundee Utd 2 Celtic 2

TRY telling Darren O’Dea that the Scottish League Cup is worthless. The Dubliner set aside months of frustration at Celtic to inspire the Bhoys to deserved extra-time triumph at Hampden yesterday and dash Rangers’ hopes of a clean sweep of domestic trophies.

DARREN O’DEA insisted he was happier simply to add to his tally of Celtic appearances rather than firing the club to their CIS Cup final win over Rangers yesterday.

Celtic 2 Rangers 0 (after extra time)

St Mirren 1 Celtic 0

Gordon Strachan has urged Shunsuke Nakamura to remain at Celtic beyond the current campaign.

Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura has revealed he is considering a fresh challenge next season.

Celtic 7 St Mirren 0

Motherwell 1 Celtic 1

Shunsuke Nakamura could yet be a Celtic player next season after claiming he has yet to make final decision over his future.

Shunsuke Nakamura insists he is ready for a hectic end to Celtic’s season after overcoming jet-lag to play in the Old Firm derby.

Celtic 0 Rangers 0

Rangers manager Walter Smith handed 17-year-old John Fleck his Old Firm debut in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash against Celtic at Parkhead.

PAUL HARTLEY has backed new signing Willo Flood to handle his first Old Firm derby, should the Irishman be given his Celtic debut tomorrow.

Shaun Maloney could return to the Celtic side for tomorrow’s Homecoming Scottish Cup clash against Queen’s Park.

Shunsuke Nakamura was today back in his native Japan after Celtic gave him the weekend off to ensure he is ready for the upcoming Old Firm derby.

Celtic striker Scott McDonald has revealed how he was approached by both Berti Vogts and Walter Smith about playing for Scotland.

Willo Flood is determined to keep impressing Gordon Strachan after the Celtic manager revealed his drive and enthusiasm had won him a move to Parkhead.

Inverness CT 0 Celtic 0

Gordon Strachan has given Shunsuke Nakamura his blessing to quit Celtic at the end of the season - but wants a Japanese holiday in return.

Willo Flood moved a step closer to joining Celtic after the 23-year-old underwent a medical at Celtic Park yesterday.

SCOTT MCDONALD hailed the influence of regular strike partner Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink as speculation mounts that the final week of the transfer window could see an injection of new blood into the Celtic squad.