Nakamura non-committal about future

Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura remained non-committal about his future after his contract with Celtic expired following the club’s failure to win a fourth straight Scottish title.

“I have not decided anything yet,” the 30-year-old told reporters on his return home from Glasgow to help Japan in their last three World Cup qualifers next month.

Celtic drew 0-0 with Hearts at home on Sunday to finish the season second behind rivals Rangers who sealed the title with a 3-0 away win over Dundee United.

Gordon Strachan quit as Celtic manager after the disappointing weekend.

“I will consult many people as there are many things I must care about,” Nakamura said. “I care about my family and, if I play in Europe, whose position I could take over if he moves.”

Nakamura’s old J-League club, Yokohama Marinos, have asked him to come back after seven seasons in Europe, the first three with Italy’s Reggina and the rest at Parkhead.

Nakamura has previously suggested he could return to Japan after his contract with Celtic expired, citing difficulty in travelling back and forth for internatinal duty and the need to educate his children in his homeland.

In Glasgow on Sunday, Nakamura welcomed the offer from Yokohama.

“It’s an honour to receive an offer from any club. It feels even better if it’s from my favorite club,” he was quoted by Kyodo News as saying.

“There are various clubs, so I’ll consider my options before I make a final decision.”

Meanwhile, Nakamura praised the departing Strachan.

“He has been a great manager. He has only called me a genius,” recalled Nakamura, who has helped Celtic to many wins with his precision left-foot kicks.

“He has been strict about the way he used players and given chances to younger talent. He used to be a player himself and I can use what I have learned from him as a player.”

Japan, trailing Australia 13-11 on points in Asian World Cup qualifying Group A, will make the finals in South Africa next year if they beat Uzbekistan in Tashkent on June 6.

Bahrain have seven points and Uzbekistan and Qatar each have four.

Nakamura, who has been hampered by a groin strain this season, said he was ready to give his all in Japan’s remaining qualifiers.

“It won’t be easy to beat Uzbekistan away,” he said at Tokyo’s Narita airport.

“They don’t want to lose at home and they have their pride. I’m not counting the points we need to get through. I want to play my best in all the three matches.”

Nakamura is due to skip Japan’s friendly against Chile in Osaka on Wednesday but is expected to figure in another against Belgium here on Sunday.

In the World Cup qualifying campaign, Japan will also play Qatar at home on June 10 and Australia away on June 17.