IT has been five years since Shunsuke Nakamura last pulled on a Celtic shirt.

But the Japanese superstar enjoyed a familiar tingle down his spine when he returned to Parkhead yesterday.

The 36-year-old was the guest of honour as Celtic ran out 4-1 winners over St Mirren to extend their lead at the top of the table.

And Nakamura, who notched up over 150 appearances in green and white, told how he enjoyed the warmth of a Paradise welcome all those years on.

He said: "We are in the off-season in Japan so we decided to come to Glasgow to see some of the people who have been nice to my family.

"It was nice to say hello and to go to watch the game in a terrific atmosphere and once again it showed just how lucky I was to have played in that atmosphere.

"I used to play in Italy so it's difficult to say, but the level from when I was here to now is the same. It's the same atmosphere and the level of everything is high and that includes the media.

"I felt it was similar in the J League in Japan as you have St Mirren at the same level as I remember."

There were still a couple of familiar faces that greeted the midfielder in the east end of Glasgow.

On the playing side, Scott Brown and James Forrest, who grabbed three goals between them yesterday, were former team-mates of Naka, while his old gaffer Gordon Strachan was also watching on from the stands.

The former Espanyol man said: "I was watching the game and trying to compare it to the time when I was here, and there was not much of a difference.

"The performance was good, especially the only players who still remain from my time.

"James Forrest was very good and he looks a very good player."

He added: "Scott Brown's performances are great but it's more about his presence. He's the captain of Celtic and he's great for the team as he leads a great club.

"It's no surprise that English clubs and bigger teams are looking at him as he runs a lot and his performances are great."