Former Celtic striker Scott McDonald, has named ex team mate Shunsuke Nakamura as the ‘by far’ the best player he has ever played with over his long career that continues to this day with Brisbane Roar.

Of course, McDonald played with several brilliant players but when speaking on the BBC Sportsound podcast, the Australian could not speak any higher of former fans favourite, Nakamura and how much he work he put in to make sure he was a success.

“Nakamura is by far the best footballer I have ever played with. The hours he used to put in. He used to go out for hours and hours on end, hitting free-kicks after training.

His little interpreter would be in the goal to replicate the top corner, it was hilarious. It’s -2 degrees outside and he is in there saying ‘just another one, just another one.

I think the thing with Nakamura is he didn’t speak a lot of English, but he was such a perfectionist. If he came off the training field and just felt it was not happening for him, he’d be in such a mood the whole day. He was just a top, top professional.

Nakamura was such a special player and played a huge part under the reign of Gordon Strachan. Some of his goals and performances will be remember forever, such as his last minute league winner away to Kilmarnock or his screamer against Rangers in the famous 2-1 game.

The most famous goals of all though would have to be his two free-kicks against Manchester United. Both were very similar goals, but only Nakamura would be able to score these.

It is no surprise that McDonald has listed the Japanese wonder as the ‘best player he has ever played with’ as it was always clear to see the absolute ability that he had. It must have been a pleasure to play alongside him at times, because it was certainly a pleasure to be watching someone so talented as him, bless the green and white hoops.