naka: we will give everything in title run-in

Newsroom Staff
SHUNSUKE Nakamura shrugged off a foot injury picked up during Saturday’s derby clash at Ibrox to play the full 90 minutes of the match.

And though he was as disappointed as every Celtic fan at the 1-0 defeat, the Japanese playmaker has vowed that the Hoops players will give everything in the remaining eight games of the season, knowing that winning all these fixtures will put pressure on Rangers.

The two sides meet again at Celtic Park on April 16 and the target for the Celts is clear.

“We must now win both home games against Rangers,” said Nakamura speaking after the weekend game.

“In fact, we have to win all the remaining ‘cup finals’ we face in the league this season. We will try our best to make it happen and will never give up hope.”

Celtic enjoyed the bulk of possession and the best chances at Ibrox, and Gordon Strachan, while disappointed with the result, knows that his team must retain their self-belief and return to winning ways this weekend.

Speaking after the match, the Celtic manager said: “If you went through the team and analysed performances, Hinkel had a good game, Caldwell was good apart from one pass, Boruc made a good save, our two front men caused all sorts of problems.

“And Nakamura and McGeady did very well. That’s the best they’ve been as a pair in a Rangers game.

“So we had a lot of good things going for us, but we’re a young side and we need to gain experience.”

Celtic are back in league action this weekend, when they take on Motherwell at home on Saturday, April 5, with the Hoops aiming for all three points.