Nakamura looks forward to returning home

Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura is relishing an emotional return to his former club.

The Japan international has flown out with the Celtic Park squad for the friendly against Yokohama F Marinos on Thursday.

The 28-year-old previously played for the Japanese side before joining Reggina in 2002 and has promised his current team-mates a welcome to remember.

Nakamura said: “I am sure the people of Japan will be pleased to see Celtic when we get there. They know far more about the club now and there are a lot more supporters since I have been here.

“I have noticed myself there are a lot more Japanese people at Celtic games, which is nice to see.”

He added: “Yokohama is where I grew up. It is where I learned to play football, so it will be emotional for me. Yokohama will always mean a lot to me. Football is really important in Japan, although the crowds there are very different.

"They do not shout like the Celtic fans do but Japanese fans sing for the whole 90 minutes. They never stop.”

Nakamura flies out to Japan after opening his account for the season in the 4-1 Bank of Scotland Premier League win over Kilmarnock on Saturday.

The playmaker floated a delightful free-kick beyond Killie goalkeeper Graeme Smith to celebrate the unfurling of the SPL championship flag in style.

Nakamura said: “We won the foul about 30 yards out and, as soon as I put the ball down, I knew I was going to score. It was in a good position for me and, before I even hit the ball, I knew I would score.

“It was great to start with such a good win. Kilmarnock are a good side so we have to be pleased with the performance. The season has started and the first result could hardly have gone any better.

“Now we are looking ahead to another great season for Celtic.”