Shunsuke Nakamura insists his Japan commitments won't get in the way of Celtic's campaign. Nakamura will feature for Japan in a friendly this week against the United Arab Emirates and then next Wednesday in a World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan.

However, the player maintains that he will be at training and ready for the trip north to Inverness Caley.

Japan are eight hours ahead of the UK, meaning that Nakamura should be back in Glasgow on the Thursday night before the trip to Inverness.

"I will make it," he said. "The time difference will hopefully work in my favour and I am aiming to be back for training at Lennoxtown the day before the game.

"I expect to be available for Inverness. There is no reason why I should miss it. There is no reason for anyone to be concerned that I won't be back for it."

While Nakamura has admitted that weeks such as this one when he has to team up Japan are exhausting, he is philosophical about his position.

"I just have to get on with it," he said. "It is an honour to play for your country and an honour to play with Celtic.

"There are always a lot of games in a season but I am used to it. I enjoy playing football."