Nakamura key to Celtic revival as youngsters come of age

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan is ready to build his side around Shunsuke Nakamura - but the youngsters showed him on Tuesday night they were finally ready to fulfil their potential.

The Scot will breathe life back into his side by handing the 27-year-old Japan playmaker his debut against Dundee United this weekend after he impressed in training following his move from Reggina last week.

Nakamura was not signed in time to make his debut in the Champions League against Artmedia Bratislava on Tuesday night, after which captain Neil Lennon admitted the players were “subdued” at the realisation they were out of Europe with the season having only just started.

But Strachan was encouraged by the response of his players to the 5-0 thrashing in Slovakia and 4-4 draw with Motherwell, although the 4-0 victory was not enough to save his side from an ignominious European exit.

The Scot is now excited about the prospect of injecting his midfield with someone of the class of Nakamura.

He was also licking his lips at the part played by the younger members of his squad - particularly substitutes Shaun Maloney and Craig Beattie and starters Stephen McManus and Ross Wallace.

Martin O’Neill backed the youngsters to come through and shine for Celtic but now they are beginning to show they can play at the top level.

“These players stood shoulder to shoulder with those that have been playing at the top for the last five years and they didn’t let them down at all,” said Strachan.

“The young lads were fantastic and even the subs came on and did everything well and their attitude was superb.”

Strachan also has Aiden McGeady, David Marshall and even some younger players waiting in the wings with defenders John Kennedy and Adam Virgo also coming back from injury.

“We can take heart from this,” said Lennon.

“Even the substitutes came on and made a big contribution.

“We let ourselves down in the past but we looked a team and there was passion there and quality there and we showed everything that was expected of a Celtic side.”

Strachan claimed his first victory as Celtic manager and was delighted with the way his side stopped the defensive rot and kept their first competitive clean sheet this season.