It's August 23, 2025, 09:14:46 PM
Shunsuke Nakamura, revealed as Scottish Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year on Sunday, intends staying with Celtic next season. There has been speculation that the midfielder, whose goal clinched the title on Sunday, will quit this summer. But he said: "I'll definitely be at Celtic Park next season, hopefully to lift my third championship in a row. "It has been a good season, playing well in the Champions League and we've won the league again." Now the 28-year-old Japan international is hoping that Celtic can add the Scottish Cup to their silverware when they face either Dunfermline Athletic or Hibernian in the final. And he also urged Celtic to pull out all the stops to ensure manager Gordon Strachan remains at the club next season.Strachan has been linked with a move away from Celtic Park this summer, with several English clubs reported to be interested in the former Southampton and Coventry boss. The former Aberdeen and Manchester United midfielder has had an uneasy relationship with the Celtic supporters since replacing the revered Martin O'Neill two years ago. But Nakamura says the players are well aware of his importance to the club. "Back when I was in Italy, in three years I had six different managers and I found that really hard," Nakamura said. "It's important to work under a single manager. If Gordon Strachan stays, that would be great." Nakamura's Sunday of glory has dominated the headlines back in his homeland. "It has been on the news in Japan all over the place for all the people who couldn't come over here," he said. "It's a good thing for the people of Japan to get to know about Celtic. "But I never thought about getting these sort of awards when I came here. "The reason I came here was because I felt that the manager and the chairman really wanted me and they knew my style of play. "Also, there was the chance to play in the Champions League, which was important to me."
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