Shunsuke Nakamura has always appeared to display a modest, unassuming and quiet person and this assertion is further displayed in an interview conducted after Saturday night’s SPFA dinner. Nakamura won the POTY and the Goal of the Season awards without peer.
After playing a major role in clinching the league, it was a fitting end to the day for our Japanese genius when his fellow professionals crowned him the best player in the land. This adds no credence to the Scottish Media’s image of Nakamura as a diver, as I’m sure his fellow players would not have voted for him if that were valid.
However the Japanese genius believes team-mate Artur Boruc was a worthier recipient of the award. Naka said "Artur has made some great saves throughout the year and he deserved to win the award.
"The players who go forward and score goals are always in the limelight but there aren’t many goalkeepers like him who can do what he does."
Naka’s humility continued when he commented on the assertion by Captain Neil Lennon and Manager Gordon Strachan that he was a "genius"
He countered "I don’t think I’m a genius – geniuses don’t make mistakes.
Some people say I can’t tackle or head the ball but I try to contribute more to the team with my head in terms of thinking. However, I’m trying to improve those other aspects such as tackling and heading the ball."
Nakamura also revealed how he cultured his dead ball skills
"When I was a kid I was really small and not very muscular. I couldn’t kick the ball far. I used to practice in the park near my house, trying to kick the ball to the same point all the time."
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As I developed muscles and more strength, I was able to curl the ball and that’s where the free-kicks came from."Nakamura still practices hard to this day. He states "Basically, on the day before the match I just practice for half an hour or so to get a feeling for the next day."
Practice and dedication! Shunsuke truly is a model professional and a role model for all aspiring footballers.
Yours in Celtic
Clydebuilt