Shunsuke Nakamura is strong enough as well as skilful enough to be a big success at Celtic, according to Japan team-mate Junichi Inamoto.
Nakamura is expected to arrive in Glasgow this evening to complete his move from Italian side Reggina.
The 27-year-old, who will cost around £2.75m, has already signed for the Hoops, dependent on the results of a medical and securing a work permit - both of which are expected to present few problems.
The play-maker excelled in the recent Confederations Cup tournament and a move to La Liga in Spain was expected to follow.
The midfielder still wants to go there, but only after a three-year spell in Scotland, where rugged defending and harsh weather are in plentiful supply.
World Cup winner Juninho couldn't hack it in Scotland but former Arsenal and Fulham player Inamoto, who is currently at West Bromwich Albion, was convinced his colleague could.
He said: "Playing in Britain helps push your boundaries as a player, which can only be good for Japan.
"It helps you become a better player and the speed of the game and physical aspect is something I like.
"Shunsuke is one of the best players technically in Japan and I'm sure he will cope with the physical nature of the Scottish Premier League.
"He will need time to settle in Glasgow and when he does I'm sure he will be a big asset to the team." (2005.07.29 09:11:24)
スポルティングvsWBA うめままさん WEST BROMWICH ALBION - Kirkland, Albrechtsen, Gaardsoe, Robinson e Clement, Moore, Scimeca, Inamoto, Kanu, Johnson e Greening. Treinador: Bryan Robson.
Ficha do jogo Benfica 5 8211; 0 West Bromich Albion Jogo referete à Taça Cidade de Albufeira, realizado no Estádio Municipal de Albufeira. Árbitro: Nuno Almeida (Algarve), auxiliado por.
Benfica 8211; Moreira; Alex, Anderson, Ricardo Rocha (77’ Alcides) e Léo (45’ Dos Santos); Petit, Beto; Sim atilde;o (cap.) (77’ Tiago Gomes), Geovanni (67’ Carlitos) e H eacute;lio Roque; Nuno Gomes (67’ Mantorras). Suplentes n atilde;o utilizados: Quim. Treinador: Ronald Koeman.
Suplentes n atilde;o utilizados: Moore, Kuszczak, Scimeca, Albrechtsen, Inamoto, Greening, Johnson, Dyer, Garnshaw e Kanu. Treinador: Bryan Robson.
Ac ccedil; atilde;o disciplinar: Cart atilde;o amarelo para Horsfield (89’) Golos: Geovanni (5’, 25’ e 64’), H eacute;lio Roque (58’) e Sim atilde;o (65’). Resultado ao intervalo: 2-0 (2005.07.23 09:56:56)
The Japan international turned in a tigerish central-midfield display against crack Spanish outfit Sevilla on Wednesday night - and his efforts did not go unnoticed by boss Robson.
Despite joining Albion last August, the Cartaya clash was 'Ina's' first full game in an Albion shirt.
And Robson, preparing for the Baggies' final tour game against Portuguese champions Benfica at Albufeira tonight (Friday, ko 9.15pm BST/Portuguese time), reckons the ex-Arsenal and Fulham loan ranger has put his injury problems firmly behind him.
Sevilla FC 1-0 West Bromwich Albion うめままさん Sevilla のHPに結果が出ていました。 スペイン語なので???????? 判るのはイナがフル出場したということだけ~~; なので、メンバーだけ張っておきます。 負け試合だったけどイナはどうだったんでしょうね? WBAのマッチレポートを待ちましょう!!
Al final los ingleses apretaron y el Sevilla se defendi oacute; como pudo. Ficha t eacute;cnica
Sevilla FC: Palop (Notario, m. 46), Daniel Alves (Gallardo, m. 83), Javi Navarro, Pablo Alfaro (A. Ocio, m. 66), David; Fernando Sales (Blanco, m. 66), Vera (Jordi, m. 51), Mart iacute;, Adriano (Puerta, m. 66); Kepa (Carlitos, m. 83) y Luis Fabiano (Jesuli, m. 46).
West Bromwich Albion: Kuszczac; Scimeca, Moore, Clement (Gardsen, m. 46), Albrechtsen (Robinson, m. 66 (Carter, m. 82); Greewning (Gora, m. 66), Johnson, Inamoto, Dyer (Watson, m. 66), Kanu (Campbell, m. 74) y Earnshaw (Horsfield, m. 74).
Aacute;rbitro: N uacute; ntilde;ez Garc iacute;a. Incidencias: Unos 2000 espectadores en el estadio municipal de Cartaya Luis Rodr iacute;guez Salvador. (2005.07.21 07:30:02)
One man who caught the eye on Friday after coming on as a second-half substitute at Gresty Road was Junichi Inamoto.
And Robinson, who was impressed by the Japan international's display in the middle of the park as Albion tried in vain to overturn a 3-0 half-time deficit, said: "Ina did really well when he came on.
"He's just come back from playing internationals so he's not had much of a break - but he looked really sharp.
クルー戦 うめままさん Crewe 3 Albion 0 で敗戦でした。 LACKLUSTRE Albion suffered their first pre- season defeat as they were given a first-half footballing lesson by Crewe.
CREWE CUT...Watson part of 16-man Albion squad to face Railwaymen tonight (Friday) NEW boys Steve Watson and Darren Carter, plus Chris Kirkland, will get a second chance to impress in Albion's pre-season friendly at Crewe tonight (Friday, ko 7.45pm).
Zoltan Gera, Junichi Inamoto and Jared Hodgkiss are also included in Bryan Robson's 16-man squad after coming on as substitutes in Wednesday's 1-0 win at MK Dons.
Andy Johnson continues his comeback from a serious knee injury after his first run-out in six months in Saturday's 2-0 win at Cheltenham.