By Chris Burton Last updated: 23rd July 2008
Nakamura: Set to miss season opener
Shunsuke Nakamura has revealed that he can no longer ignore the groin pain which has blighted him for months.
The Celtic playmaker is rumoured to be heading to Germany for an operation on the problem next week, with the surgery set to keep him out of action for around three weeks.
That would rule him out of the Hoops' first game in the defence of their SPL title, against St Mirren on 10th August.
The Japan international missed three months of last season with a knee injury and suffered further problems on his return to action at the turn of the year.
He represented his country in a series of World Cup qualifiers last month, with the help of painkillers, but a rest period has failed to cure the issue.
The 30-year-old has been unable to take part in full training since joining up with his team-mates in Portugal on Sunday and admits that he must now seek professional help in a bid to resolve the problem.
"I've had pain from my groin, an ankle and a calf since the end of last season," he told the Evening Times.
"But the calf and ankle have been getting better in recent weeks.
"While I was playing for Japan, I took pain-relieving medicine. But it got worse."
Nakamura's compatriot Koki Mizuno is also set to go under the knife after suffering a knee injury which ruled him out of Celtic's friendly date with Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
"I've been in pain since injuring my knee playing for the reserves against Gretna back in March. It's got so bad I can't play any longer," he said.

Rangers 2-1 Celtic - Mowbray
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Mowbray - McGeady is out
Mowbray - MIdfield problem solved
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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 12:30 | Dundee Utd vs Celtic |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Celtic vs St Mirren |
| Wednesday 2nd December | |
| Europa League | |
| 20:05 | Celtic vs Hapoel Tel-Aviv |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Celtic vs Aberdeen |
| Saturday 12th December | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Motherwell vs Celtic |
| Thursday 17th December | |
| Europa League | |
| 18:00 | Rapid Vienna vs Celtic |
| Sunday 20th December | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 12:30 | Hearts vs Celtic |
| Saturday 26th December | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Celtic vs Hamilton |
| Wednesday 30th December | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 19:30 | Kilmarnock vs Celtic |
| Sunday 3rd January | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 12:30 | Celtic vs Rangers |
| Saturday 16th January | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Celtic vs Falkirk |
| Sunday 24th January | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 15:30 | St Johnstone vs Celtic |
| Wednesday 27th January | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Celtic vs Hibernian |
| Saturday 30th January | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 12:30 | Hamilton vs Celtic |
| Wednesday 10th February | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Celtic vs Hearts |
| Saturday 13th February | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aberdeen vs Celtic |
| Saturday 20th February | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Celtic vs Dundee Utd |
| Saturday 27th February | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Rangers vs Celtic |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| Falkirk 3 - 3 Celtic | |
| Thursday 5th November | |
| Europa League | |
| Hamburg 0 - 0 Celtic | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| Celtic 3 - 0 Kilmarnock | |
| Wednesday 28th October | |
| Co-op Insurance Cup | |
| Celtic 0 - 1 Hearts | |
| Sunday 25th October | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| Hamilton 1 - 2 Celtic | |
| Thursday 22nd October | |
| Europa League | |
| Celtic 0 - 1 Hamburg | |
| Saturday 17th October | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| Celtic 0 - 0 Motherwell | |
| Sunday 4th October | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| Rangers 2 - 1 Celtic | |
| Thursday 1st October | |
| Europa League | |
| Celtic 1 - 1 Rapid Vienna | |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| St Mirren 0 - 2 Celtic | |
| Wednesday 23rd September | |
| Co-op Insurance Cup | |
| Falkirk 0 - 4 Celtic | |
| Sunday 20th September | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| Celtic 2 - 1 Hearts | |
| Thursday 17th September | |
| Europa League | |
| Hapoel Tel-Aviv 2 - 1 Celtic | |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| Celtic 1 - 1 Dundee Utd | |
| Sunday 30th August | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| Hibernian 0 - 1 Celtic | |
| Wednesday 26th August | |
| UEFA Champions League Qualifying | |
| Arsenal 3 - 1 Celtic | |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| Celtic 5 - 2 St Johnstone | |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| UEFA Champions League Qualifying | |
| Celtic 0 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| Aberdeen 1 - 3 Celtic | |
| Saturday 8th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Man City 2 - 1 Celtic | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rangers | 11 | 25 |
| 2 | Celtic | 11 | 24 |
| 3 | Hibernian | 12 | 22 |
| 4 | Dundee United | 10 | 19 |
| 5 | Motherwell | 12 | 19 |
Bristol City fan Hannah Shine was strutting her as the Soccerette in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Ali Douglas says Scotland need a manager who will put the pride back in the blue jersey - and instil a little fear!
Darren Dods' last-gasp goal earned Dundee United a 2-1 win over Celtic after a late show at Tannadice.
Tony Mowbray was left stunned by Celtic's defeat to Dundee United feeling there was a 'huge gulf' between the two sides.
Dundee United will be looking to prove their title credentials against SPL leaders Celtic on Sunday.
Ali Douglas says Scotland need a manager who will put the pride back in the blue jersey - and instil a little fear!
Celtic could be without five first-team players for the trip to Dundee United on Sunday.