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When it comes to the career of former Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura, the focus is usually on the free-kicks that he scored for the Hoops, and that is understandable.
He did score some wonderful free-kicks in his time with the Hoops, who can forget his goal against Manchester United at Celtic Park in the Champions League group stages? That could be considered as one of the best free-kicks ever scored in the stadium.
However, it can be argued that the best goal that the midfielder ever scored for the Hoops wasn’t a free-kick, but a sublime swerving shot, that was a big goal for a number of reasons. The goal is Nakamura’s opening goal in the 2-1 win over Rangers in April 2008.
The goal is so special for how important it was. The Hoops went into the game, which was played in a fevered midweek atmosphere at Celtic Park, with the team’s title hopes on the line. Anything but a win and the title was almost certain to be Rangers’.
Thankfully Nakamura had other ideas. In the 20th minute, the player received the ball around 25 yards from goal, and swerved an incredible half volley which gave Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
YouTube: Supergoal!! vs Rangers Nakamura
It was a goal of great technique, and was Nakamura’s first goal against the Ibrox side. Few players would have had either the skill or the split second ability to take the shot on practically as soon as he got the ball.
The goal wasn’t the only bit of magic produced by Nakamura on the night. He curled a shot that was goal bound until it handled on the line by Carlos Cuellar, who was sent off for handling the ball onto the cross bar.
Celtic might have missed the resulting penalty, but the Hoops did go on to win the game 2-1 thanks to a last minute Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink header.
That win proved to be vital, as the Bhoys went on to win the league on the last day in a win over Dundee United.
If Celtic fans look back at Nakamura’s time at the club, this goal should be one of the first memories that they have.
It was a such a special goal, by such a special player, that it should be remembered for a long time. Indeed, it could be considered as one of the best goals scored by a Celtic player against Rangers in the last 25 years.
Nakamura was one of Celtic’s best players of the 2000s, and this goal is just one example of the kind of players that he was. A unique talent in Scottish football, and not just for his free-kicks.
