23 Oct 2006(Mon)

Tokyo, October 21, 2006: Shunsuke Nakamura's decision to stay where he was and continue to play for Celtic always looked like the right one.

There were reports out of Britain last season that he was only using Celtic as a stepping stone to mainland Europe, and that his goal was to play in Spain.

But Scottish football has been good for Shunsuke -- and there is no doubt he has been good for Celtic.

The level is perfect for him, playing for a big club in a small league and for a strong team in which he can express his creative skills. He is now doing it at a higher pace than he did for Reggina in Italy, due to the quicker tempo of the game in Britain.

A hat trick against Dundee United, completed with a cool and classy left-foot finish into the top corner, was followed by a 90-minute display in a 3-0 Champions League victory over Benfica. He is settled and he is clearly enjoying himself, so it was a wise decision to stay in Scotland rather than go to Spain and start again.

All of which is good news for Japan -- maybe!

With Osim in charge, Shunsuke needed to step up his game to continue playing for Japan. He needed to run more and to contribute more in open play, in addition to his set-piece expertise.

He is doing this and keeping himself in the news -- but I still think Osim is right to leave him in Scotland for the time being and test his J.League players.

I am sure the national team door is not closed on Shunsuke, and Osim may well decide next year that he needs a touch of class in his midfield to add a new dimension to his emerging team. Imagine a five-man midfield, with Keita and Abe or Konno as the two defensive halves, and Shunsuke in front, behind the two strikers, Maki and Bando or Tatsuya.

It is an option Osim will consider for the future, especially in the build-up to next summer's Asian Cup finals.

ends