Strachan welcomes Zico compromise

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has applauded Japan coach Zico after the two parties reached a “sensible” compromise over the use of Shunsuke Nakamura.

A row looked to be brewing between the Scot and the Brazilian after the latter expressed a desire to play the 26-year-old in all of Japan’s preparation games ahead of the World Cup finals.

But Zico has reached an agreement with Strachan, who will have no hesitation in fielding Nakamura at Hibernian in the Bank of Scotland Premier League on Sunday even though the midfielder is still feeling the effects of last week’s round-trip to Miyagi to play Honduras.

Strachan said: “This week he looks a wee bit tired which is just a knock-on effect from the journey back last week so I need to protect him.

“We have schedule coming up as do they and they have been very, very sensible and I am pleased with what they are asking Naka to do.

“I’m not saying I will rest him but I will protect him from international games and I hope for minimal journeys.

“Japan are having a training camp in Europe soon – I think the Ukraine - which is good for him.”

Meanwhile, Strachan has given his unqualified backing to captain Neil Lennon who faces the Scottish Football Association’s disciplinary committee this week.

There were calls for the former Northern Ireland midfielder to be stripped of his captaincy following his Old Firm clash with referee Stuart Dougal and subsequent dismissal.

The SFA will decide his punishment on Tuesday and the Celtic boss has called for “common sense”.

“You back people who look after you,” added Strachan. “If he is part of your family then you back the family.

“If one of the family does something that you’re not too proud of, then you still have to back them.

“We’ll see how he gets on but I hope for common sense.

“I am not really interested in the possibilities as I’m not a lawyer so I’ll wait and see what the outcome is.”

Strachan also plans discussions with on-loan goalkeeper Artur Boruc and his agent Radoslaw Osuch soon as he hopes to make the move permanent after an impressive few months.

The club have already shaken hands on a fee with Legia Warsaw and the manager is confident of tying up the deal with the Pole keen to stay.

Strachan said: “We’ve actually agreed a fee so we’ll speak to him a long time before Christmas that’s for sure.”

The former Aberdeen and Manchester United star also revealed he was working behind the scenes to pinpoint new signings in the January transfer window, adding: “I am doing loads of work on and off the field.”

Celtic seem to have turned the corner after a poor start to the season.

The Glasgow giants are three points behind Bank of Scotland Premier League leaders Hearts going into the weekend.

But Strachan insists he needs something like the four years Alex Ferguson got to turn around Manchester United – and not just the “four days” that Old Firm bosses get.

He explained: “We have brought the back four together with a new goalkeeper.

“These things take a long time. When Alex Ferguson took over a huge club, it was four years before they started to go.

“At Celtic you only get four days which is the nature of the beast. You have to get on with it but I’m enjoying it.

“We’re getting better and have done well after the rough stuff early on.

“But I know I’m only one game away from a crisis at this club.”

Their embarrassingly early European exit, though, has proved a blessing in disguise as Strachan has been able to work hard with his players on the training ground.

Although he would gladly swap that to be alongside Rangers in the Champions League and Hibernian in the UEFA Cup, Strachan said: “We have used it well.

“It was good to have this opportunity but I’d rather not have this opportunity.

“Despite the setback they say every cloud has a silver lining and this is a chance to work with the players.”