Celtic big in Japan

Celtic are big in Japan, it's official.

Though Celtic Boss Gordon Strachan has warned that Koki Mizuno will need more time to settle in Scotland than fellow Japan international Shunsuke Nakamura, the excitement is big in Japan.
The 22-year-old Mizuno signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Celtic this week after moving from JEF United in his homeland. "I can assure him the change of culture will shock him," said Strachan as he introduced the midfielder. "So he has to get acclimatised on the pitch and off the pitch."

Shunsuke Nakamura is someone who I admire, so I'm glad to be able to play together. Celtic midfielder Koki Mizuno
"We have got to wait a wee bit longer for him because, unlike Nakamura, who stopped off in Italy before he came to Britain, he came straight from Japan," said Strachan.
"He is a pure, pure football player, like Naka, and Naka took a wee while to get himself beefed up to the Scottish league, but when he did that he has been absolutely fantastic.
"We feel he has good things to his game and I'm sure we can add to his game."
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Mizuno travelled to Ayrshire ahead of Saturday's Scottish Cup fifth-round clash against Kilmarnock but will take no part in the game. Mizuno, whose media conference was attended by around a dozen Japanese reporters, admitted Celtic have been big news in his country since the arrival of Nakamura in 2005.
"Many people watch Celtic matches in Japan as they are shown on TV," Mizuno said.
"People who like football in Japan watch Celtic and, because of Nakamura's presence at Celtic, that makes it big in Japan. Celtic are really big in Japan."
Mizuno is a big fan of his new team-mate as well and cannot wait to play with him for the Hoops.
Speaking through an interpreter, he said: "I have played with Nakamura for the national team.
"He is someone who I admire, so I'm glad to be able to play together."

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Celtic big in Japan