SHUNSUKE NAKAMURA fired Celtic to their 41st title success with yet another spectacular free-kick in a dramatic 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock on a sunny afternoon at Rugby Park on April 22 2007.
The stylish Japanese playmaker had been a virtual unknown when Gordon Strachan paid £2.5million to prise him from Serie A outfit Reggina the previous summer.
With the game balanced at 1-1 and deep into stoppage-time in Ayrshire, referee Craig Thomson checked his wristwatch yet again.
The gifted midfielder, one of the greatest exponents of deadball-kicking ever to grace the green-and-white hoops, was brought crashing to the surface by a reckless challenge from Gary Wales about 25 yards out.
READ ALL ABOUT IT…how the leagues were won.
The match official unhesitatingly awarded the free-kick. It was at a tight angle and, standing outside his dug-out on the opposite touchline, Celtic boss Strachan whispered to himself: “Naw, he can’t do it again, can he?”
Nakamura placed the ball where Thomson had indicated, carefully took stock of the situation and weighed up the possibilities. Without doubt, this would be Celtic’s last opportunity to win the game and wrap up the title.
He stepped forward and whipped in a left-foot set-piece that totally flummoxed Alan Combe. Somehow the Celt had threaded the ball through the wall and propelled it towards the bottom right-hand corner of the motionless goalkeeper’s net.
Not quite as inscrutable as the worldwide perception of his compatriots, Nakamura burst into tears and, in an uncharacteristically wild celebration, pulled his shirt over his head and raced towards the joyous fans.
Naturally, he earned a booking for being so happy.
Once he had composed himself, he admitted: “I have never behaved like that before after scoring a goal, but it meant a lot to me.”
JOY BHOYS…Shunsuke Nakamura races away in delight after firing Celtic to their 41st title with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink in hot pursuit to add his congratulations.
Strachan grinned: “I thought we were in for another long week, but I am lucky to have a genius on board. I thought it was asking too much of him.
But he did it once more.
“It was fitting he should score the goal that won the title. He has played more minutes for us than anyone else this season and covered more ground than any other player.
“He is the most technically-gifted player I have ever been involved with in the game. I played alongside the likes of Bryan Robson and Kenny Dalglish, who were fabulous footballers, but for a sublime touch, Naka is the best.”
The gaffer, with a gleam in his eye, added: “The best team won the league. There is a difference between the best individuals and the best team. My players just don’t like getting beat.
“And we have a player such as Neil Lennon who sets the standard.”
* READ the full inside story of Celtic’s extraordinary 2006/07 championship triumph – and FIFTY other title successes – in ‘CELTIC: 50 Flags Plus One’ on sale now in CQN’s special Christmas sale. Just click below.
