CALM BEFORE THE STORM

Shunsuke Nakamura remained focused as he lined up the free-kick against Manchester United, but it was a delirious Celtic Park which acclaimed the wonder strike

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IT was just over 14 years ago, on Tuesday, November 21, 2006, that Paradise witnessed one of its greatest ever European goals.

It was matchday five of the UEFA Champions League group stages, and Celtic were playing host to Manchester United. The game was finely poised when the Hoops won a free-kick 35 yards from goal with just nine minutes of the match remaining.

A hush of anticipation descended upon the stadium as Shunsuke Nakamura prepared to take the set-piece.

The Japanese genius stepped up and fired the ball into the top corner of the United net beyond the despairing dive of goalkeeper, Edwin Van der Sar… Paradise erupted!

Nakamura’s goal gave the Hoops a 1-0 victory and ensured they qualified for the knockout stages of the competition for the first time in the club’s history.

There can have been few better free-kicks ever witnessed at Celtic Park, and even 14 years on from that wonderful European night, memories of it still produce goosebumps.

And in remembering Naka’s breathtaking goal, we delve into the Celtic View archives for an interview with the Japanese playmaker he gave the week after the game against Manchester United…