Celtic´s Nakamura praised by manager over reaction to bullying tactics

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan praised Shunsuke Nakamura's bravery after the Japan midfielder answered the Kilmarnock bullies by helping his side into the Scottish League Cup semi-finals.

Nakamura suffered some heavy tackles at Rugby Park on Wednesday but received little protection from referee Craig Thomson, who added insult to injury by booking the star for complaining about the challenges.

But the 30-year-old didn't let the rough treatment affect him and responded by scoring a superb first half free-kick after Scott McDonald headed Celtic into a 15th-minute lead.

Nakamura had proved his point and Strachan decided to take him off at half-time to avoid a serious injury.

Danny Invincibile pulled a goal back for Kilmarnock in the 67th minute, but Aiden McGeady quickly restored Celtic's two-goal lead to take them into the last four alongside Rangers, Falkirk and Dundee United.

Strachan said: “There was a good chance of him (Nakamura) being injured and he was hobbling.

“He was very brave and it's crazy in this day and age that Naka is the one that gets booked.

“He reacted by saying he got tackled and he pointed four times. The referee obviously booked him because it was only three. If he is going to complain about tackles then he has to get it right!

“I told the players not to lose their focus and to get on with it and win the game.

“What Naka did was put the ball down and put it in the back of the net. That's the best way of answering anybody who wants to take you out of the game.”

Kilmarnock boss Jim Jefferies had no real complaints about the result, apart from the defending at the first goal which saw one of the smallest men on the pitch score with his head.

Jefferies said: “You will not beat Celtic if you gift them goals like we did.

“McDonald was the smallest player on the pitch and he almost got a second from the same situation.

“And Nakamura has done that to us and other teams before, although I didn't think it was a foul for the free-kick.

“But we kept plugging away and I can have no complaints about the effort and commitment.”