Source: Team_Talk
Nakamura points to United threat
Nakamura is preparing for what could be his final Old Firm derby, Saturday's crunch SPL clash at Ibrox.[LNB]The 30-year-old midfielder is out of contract in the summer and reports claim he is swaying towards a move back to his native Japan.[LNB]Before then, he will hope to be involved in games against Rangers, Dundee United, Hibernian and Hearts and he made a surprising prediction about which of them would cause Celtic the most problems.[LNB]He told Celtic TV: "I think Dundee United have the ability to be the most dangerous team we will face between now and the end of the season.[LNB]"We have drawn with them every time this season, and I expect a very difficult game on Tuesday."[LNB]Celtic did beat United in the Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final - but only after a penalty shootout - while they have already seen off Rangers twice this season.[LNB]Yet Nakamura is not taking his side's arch-rivals lightly, insisting they are better than they have been at any point since he moved to Parkhead in 2005.[LNB]"I think the current Rangers side is stronger than when I first signed for Celtic," said Nakamura, whose time at Celtic has coincided with their recent dominance of the SPL title.[LNB]"Since Walter Smith took over, they are better organised and have more discipline."[LNB]Celtic go into this weekend's game just a point clear of Rangers and Nakamura does not believe defeat for either side will be fatal.[LNB]"It will be a tactical game on Saturday," said Nakamura, who is prepared to continue playing through the pain of a niggling injury in the SPL run-in.[LNB]"Will it decide the title? I don't think the team that wins the game will definitely have won the league.[LNB]"There are another three games after the derby. Look at last season: we were a few points behind Rangers but we started winning and it wasn't until the final match that we won the league.[LNB]"I'm not looking on this match as being any more important than the other games.[LNB]"This season has been really intense and I don't think that will change."[LNB]Meanwhile, manager Gordon Strachan has urged his side to embrace the "madness" of Old Firm derby day.[LNB]The Parkhead boss, who has four years' experience of dealing with the unique build-up to the fixture, said: "You take that pressure and turn it into excitement.[LNB]"I'm all right with the game this weekend. I really enjoy the atmosphere and the build-up. I enjoy the madness and have a laugh at the madness that surrounds it."[LNB][LNB]
