SHUNSUKE NAKAMURA has a point to prove at Tynecastle on Sunday. But, then, so does the entire Celtic team.

The Bhoy manager Gordon Strachan considers his Japanese genius has a reputation for looking uncomfortable in away games, where tight parks, and even tighter marking, can dilute his abilities.

Naka admits nowhere affords him less space and opportunity to perform than Tynecastle.

And even before his interpreter relays the question, does he enjoy playing at the home of Hearts, Naka lets slip a gentle laugh before admitting games there can literally pass him by.

He said: "It is a very small pitch and, because of that, everyone goes for the long balls.

"So we need to be ready for that style and that makes Hearts difficult to play against."

Ironically, the one team-mate who really enjoys the cut and thrust of a Tynecastle rough and tumble is Neil Lennon - and he is suspended this weekend.

So the men Strachan selects will have to be ready to rumble against a side physically bigger and stronger.

Perhaps it is no coincidence Tynecastle happens to be Celtic's unhappiest hunting ground in the SPL, having lost there on their last two visits.

The 3-0 defeat in April did come long after the championship had been won. But it was a sore one to take, nevertheless.

As was the 2-1 defeat on the second day of this campaign. And the fact that today, more than five months later, it remains the only defeat suffered by Celtic in their quest to retain their title does nothing to ease the pain.

Even with a 17-point lead in the championship race, Strachan and his players are determined to deny Hearts the satisfaction of a hat-trick of home wins against them.

And Naka would like nothing better than to be the catalyst for a Celtic Sunday celebration.

He already knows what it feels like to leave Tynecastle on a high, his late contribution in his first visit there 12 months ago setting up the fightback for a 3-2 win which did so much to crush Hearts.

That result was pivotal in shaking off the Jambos' challenge for the title. And another victory on Sunday would again be a significant step towards another championship.

With Paul Le Guen leaving Rangers and Walter Smith, Ally McCoist and former Celtic reserve coach Kenny McDowall moving in, there is renewed hope among Ibrox fans that their side is going to dramatically improve in the second half of the league season.

BUT, when listening to Naka, the message comes across that, if anyone in the Parkhead dressing room is perturbed by the events across the city, it has not reached his ears.

Asked if he believes Rangers will now be stronger, he replied: "We never think about that."

But surely he must be aware how important it is when either half of the Old Firm changes manager?

"Not really," is the monotone response. "People don't talk about that."

That's as maybe. What is not in doubt is that Naka is only concerning himself with what Celtic do.

And he believes his side head east this weekend in good shape physically and mentally after cruising past Dumbarton 4-0 in the Scottish Cup last weekend, the key opening two goals scored by Maciej Zurawski but set up by the wing wizard.

It was the biggest win Celtic have enjoyed this season and quite a contrast to Naka's only other Scottish Cup experience, the 2-1 defeat by Clyde last year.

He beamed: "The number of goals we scored against Dumbarton was not important. What is important is that we won, and that we made so many chances.

"The movement of Maciej was very good, as was the shape of the team itself with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink back.

"Everyone here is a very good player. They all have a different style and it is easy for me to pick out any of them with passes.

"But, in terms of Jan, he has height and heading ability, so it is easy to get crosses into him."

Nakamura knows how important confidence can be for strikers and is delighted to see Zurawski back in the groove after a lean spell.

Even when the Pole - who has now shot clear of Naka in the scoring charts - was struggling to find the net himself, he was opening the door for others to chip in.

Naka explained: "Maciej was not scoring a lot of goals, but I think that was about the balance of the team.

"He is a really good player and will stay in front of goal and that is why the likes of myself, Aiden McGeady and Thomas Gravesen are getting more goals."