Hoops make Naka plea

Celtic fight to keep Japanese star

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 15th September 2008

Hoops make Naka plea

Nakamura: Could leave in January

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Celtic are hoping to persuade Japanese ace Shunsuke Nakamura to stay until the end of the season.

The Hoops appear resigned to losing the midfielder back to his homeland in the near future, but are keen for him to help their title tilt this year.

The 30-year-old had hinted that he may quit the SPL club in January when the transfer window re-opens.

Nakamura's contract is due to expire next summer, although the club do have an option to extend it by a further 12 months.

However, that appears increasingly unlikely as the demands of long-haul travel are beginning to take their toll on the talented playmaker.

Intimated

Journeys from Scotland to Japan for international duty are becoming increasingly difficult, while Nakamura remains keen on returning his young family to Asia.

Celtic, though, are refusing to give up hope of persuading the popular schemer to see out the current campaign.

"Celtic would be more than happy for Shunsuke to stay here for as long as he wants and certainly we want him to remain here until the end of the season," chief executive Peter Lawwell said in the Daily Record.

"But his agent has intimated Shunsuke would like to return to Japan at some point."