A DELEGATION from Yokohama are in Glasgow this week to try and lure Shunsuke Nakamura back home to Japan.

But Marinos managing director Masaharu Saito is about to hit a brick wall in the form of Gordon Strachan.

The Celtic boss will do all in his power to ensure the midfield genius remains at Parkhead for at least another season.

Naka's contract runs out in two months, but Celtic are preparing to activate the 12-month extension built into it.

And, while Marinos - who are backed by auto giants Nissan - hope to use this week's talks with chief executive Peter Lawwell to strike a deal to take their former star back home, Strachan is confident the 29-year-old and his family are happy to stay.

The manager said: "It's a must that we keep Naka for another year.

"I've told him that this club is suited to him and that it's a dream club for a player like him. He absolutely loves it here. And he knows how much the fans, the players and the coaches love him."

Strachan is also fully aware just how determined Marinos are to take the most famous player in their history back to Yokohama.

But sentiment will not be permitted to enter the discussions regarding the future of the man who cost just £1.4million when he was recruited fro m Italian club Reggina in 2005.

Strachan appreciates Naka wants to give something back to the club where it all began for him.

But, the national icon has been so dedicated to his career that Strachan reckons he has many more years of top level football ahead of him.

The manager said of the man who turns 30 in June: "I know Naka does not want to go back home when he is unable to perform as he can. But he's incredibly fit.

"I don't know how long he can continue playing. I do know he is nowhere near finished.

"He has been an incredible ambassador for Japanese football. He's the one Japanese player who has set European football alight.

"But, Naka's still under contract and we need him to stay for another year.

"If he decides after that to go home and play his football, then we will hold our hands up and say: Fine', because what he has done here has been absolutely beyond the call of duty.

"If you took Naka out of Scottish football - and Aiden McGeady for that matter - who would you rush to see?

"There are good teams and good players. But who gets you out of your seat saying: That's fantastic, there is something different?' There are not many. But Naka's certainly one.

"It's not just his skill, though. It's his attitude. Look at his work rate on Saturday against Aberdeen. He was knackered, but he was running after players, chasing and sliding into tackles.

"We could not have got any more from him in his time here. And if, in a year's time, he wants to go somewhere else, then we've got to say: Good luck, all the best, and we hope you can continue playing for as long as you want to'."