Nakamura pivotal to Celtic's European glory hopes

Celtics Japanese Shunsuke Nakamura poses at Celtics Park stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, in April, with the the SPFA Players' Player of the Year award he collected in Glasgow. Last season Celtic relied largely on the skills and spectacular goals of the Japanese playmaker on their Euro run.

Celtic will begin the defence of their Scottish Premier League title against Kilmarnock on Sunday but their supporters have loftier ambitions than mere domestic success.

In addition to winning an SPL and Scottish Cup double last season Gordon Strachan's side successfully negotiated the group stages of the Champions League for their first time in their history.

A narrow 1-0, extra-time defeat to AC Milan - who went on to lift the trophy - meant Celtic's exit in the last 16 of the competition was certainly no disgrace.

However, the level of expectancy of the club's support - who still idolise the team which became the first British side to lift the European Cup in 1967 - mean they will be looking for their heroes to at least reach the same stage this time round.

Last season Celtic relied largely on the skills and spectacular goals of Japanese playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura on their Euro run.

It was Nakamura's two stunning free-kicks in the two games against Manchester United in the group stages - a 3-2 defeat and 1-0 victory in the return leg at Parkhead - which ensured Celtic's spot in the last 16 with a game to spare.

His trickery and unnerving accuracy from dead-ball situations from almost any distance will be crucial if Strachan's side are to again reach the last 16 - assuming they successfully negotiate their two-legged qualifier to reach the group stages.

Although Nakamura has another two years to go on his existing contract, Celtic value the little playmaker so much their chief executive Peter Lawwell has already held talks with his agent Roberto Takuda to try and extend his stay.

Almost as important to Celtic's Euro success last season was the consistently unflappable Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

His most telling contribution came in the second Champions League tie against Manchester United when he saved French international's Louis Saha late penalty, shortly after Nakamura's stunning free-kick, to confirm their place in the last 16.

Celtic have also strengthened their squad during the summer and are likely to play a different style of football this season.

With the departure of former captain Neil Lennon, who was brilliant at protecting his back four and keeping possession but hardly dynamic, two new signings will form the new engine room of the side.

Scott Brown arrived from Hibernian for 4.4million pounds while Massimo Donati joined from AC Milan for 3million pounds and they will make up Celtic's more energetic midfield pairing.

Although Celtic strolled to their second consecutive SPL title last season they won the majority of their games by a solitary goal and their top goalscorer, Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, only managed to hit the net 18 times.

To try and find a more prolific partner for the Dutchman Celtic manager Strachan brought in Australian striker Scott McDonald for 750,000 pounds from Motherwell and New Zealander Chris Killen from Hibernian on a free transfer.

Both these new signings will battle it out with Polish international Maciej Zurawski, Kenny Miller and Derek Riordan for the right to partner Vennegoor of Hesselink.

In the previous two seasons Celtic have strolled to the SPL title and they look to have an even stronger squad this season - with Lennon the only first team regular to leave.

However, their city rivals Rangers have regrouped under manager Walter Smith - after two trophyless seasons and the 2007/08 SPL campaign promises to be the closest since 2004/2005 when the Ibrox side overtook Celtic on the final day to lift the title.