Nakamura eager to keep Barca at bay

The 2006 winners arrive in Glasgow today as the Hoops seek to protect their impressive recent home record in Europe.

Barca are the only club to win in the Champions League at Parkhead - ex-Celt Henrik Larsson scored in a 3-1 success in September 2004 - and Nakamura believes even a goalless draw would give Celtic a real chance of progress in the Nou Camp on March 4.

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"We will have to be very strong defensively in the first match," said Nakamura. "We have been strong at home in the past in Europe and we need to be like that again. A clean sheet to take to Spain for the return leg would be great.

"Even if it was goalless at Celtic Park, I think all the pressure would be on Barca in the Nou Camp after failing to score in Scotland. That's how we have to approach the tie. We have to make it very difficult for them, try to keep the ball when we can and deny them chances, even though they have some great players.

"We are facing one of the best teams in the world, so we will need to be at our very best - especially in defence."

Nakamura is a huge admirer of Argentinian wonder-kid Lionel Messi as well as Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho and rates the two Barca attackers as among his favourite players.

"I think Messi may be the guy we really have to stop on this occasion," said the Japanese international, who missed the second half of Celtic's group campaign because of injury. "He has so much pace that he is very difficult to stop. I think we will have to double up on him on occasions, with a full-back and a midfielder helping out.

"If you leave Messi in one-against-one situations, then he is liable to go past his man. So we will have to be very careful about him, while Ronaldinho is another who is among my favourite players."

Meanwhile, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has hailed Celtic fans as the best travelling supporters in the world.

Celtic have been working closely with Barcelona club officials, as well as the city council and the relevant authorities ahead of the away leg on March 4.

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Laporta said: "The Celtic supporters are fantastic. In fact, they are the best travelling supporters in the world, as we have seen many times. We can assure the Celtic fans that they will receive a very warm welcome when they visit our city.

"I know that Celtic's followers are extremely passionate about their club, a club which I believe, like FC Barcelona, is different.

"We know that their fans will travel in huge numbers to follow their team. But we also know the great reputation of good behaviour which Celtic supporters enjoy and, clearly, we are looking forward to hosting them in the city once again.

"It will also be a real pleasure to visit Celtic Park and feel the atmosphere of a great UEFA Champions League night at such a wonderful venue. We have very much enjoyed our previous visits to Celtic Park and I am sure we will do so again this week.

"In recent years, we have developed an excellent relationship with Celtic. It is something which we hope will continue."