Naka hits out at Killie treatment
Shunsuke Nakamura claims he pleaded to be substituted in Celtic’s game against Kilmarnock because he could not take any more bruising tackles.
The Japan midfielder was withdrawn at half-time of Wednesday night’s Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final win at Rugby Park, moments after scoring a trademark free kick.
The 30-year-old had already been booked for complaining to referee Craig Thomson about his treatment at the hands of Killie’s players.
Nakamura has revealed he is still feeling the effects from a kick to his left knee ahead of Sunday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League trip to Hearts.
He said: “The referee should really protect players from bad tackles or challenges that are dangerous. That’s why I made a signal to the referee – rather than my opponent. I wanted to protest about the tackles.
“I was kicked on my left knee and had some pain, so I asked the manager to substitute me. We have the Hearts game on Sunday, of course, and I hope the pain will be better by then.”
Celtic boss Gordon Strachan said in the wake of Wednesday’s game that he felt Nakamura had been subjected to heavy-handed treatment, while Kilmarnock boss Jim Jefferies yesterday insisted his side were hard but fair.
Strachan hailed his player, who may quit the club in January and return to his native Japan, for responding to the treatment in the best way possible – by scoring a goal.
It was Nakamura’s seventh against Killie since joining Celtic in 2005.
The midfielder said: “Judging by the location of the goalkeeper and the wall, I decided to put my effort to the far side of the goal.
“I am happy I scored and made a contribution to the team’s success. It’s always difficult when you are away from home in the cup competitions, so I am really happy that we managed to win the game and make it through.”
