Despite knowing his side's UEFA Cup hopes could today be ended by one flash of the Japanese internationalist's left boot, Hearts assistant Stevie Frail is thrilled Celtic have retained the services of Shunsuke Nakamura for next season.

Having watched him bamboozle the opposition on his way to scooping the accolade of players' player of the year, the rest of the SPL would be forgiven for wishing the midfielder had decided to bid farewell to the Premierleague and head for pastures new.

Not Frail, who believes the player can strengthen Scottish football in the way Old Firm giants Henrik Larsson and Brian Laudrup did in the past.

After Nakamura helped Celtic to the SPL title with his injury-time free-kick against Kilmarnock last Sunday, the Tynecastle coach stressed this week the importance of not giving the 28-year-old the opportunity to display dead-ball prowess when the teams meet this afternoon.

The man whose goal beat Manchester United in the Champions League back in November may be viewed as one of Celtic's biggest threats but Frail says he wouldn't have it any other way.

In fact, he greets the news that Nakamura is to stay on for another year in the Premierleague as something to be celebrated and believes the Parkhead player has the ability to follow the likes of Larsson and Laudrup into Scottish football folklore.

"I watched the game on Sunday," he said, "and when Derek Riordan blasted one wide you thought that was it. But then they've got the quality in Nakamura to step up and put the free-kick where he did.

"Nakamura is quality, real quality - you ask any team. He's not just done it in the SPL, he's done it on the Champions League stage, but it's not the only part of his game, he's also got a great touch, good passing ability and good vision.

"I think the fact he's staying on is great news for the SPL. We need to make sure we try and match these teams and you want to pit your wits against the top coaches and the top players and I'm sure the players would rather have guys like that there.

"You had guys like Larsson and Laudrup in the past, who were top, top international players and they can only enhance the league.

"He's won the player of the year and you only have to look at the way the fans have taken to him. Fans want heroes and, at Celtic, Larsson goes and they've got a new one in. You want the league to have all the top players and to be as high-profile as possible."

While Nakamura has won himself a place in the hearts of Celtic's support, Ghanaian internationalist Laryea Kingston is quickly winning the adoration of the fans at Tynecastle.

The on-loan midfield maestro has been at the centre of Hearts' best moments this year and, should he survive Tuesday's disciplinary hearing, could prove crucial in the coming weeks as they bid to overhaul the four-point gap which separates them from Aberdeen in third place and the coveted UEFA Cup spot which goes with it.

Winger Saulius Mikoliunas - who admits Hearts are desperate to rain on Celtic's trophy parade this afternoon, just as they ruined city rivals Hibs' CIS Cup party with a win at Easter Road - believes that Kingston is so influential he can fill the void left by Paul Hartley's defection to Celtic.

"Now we have Laryea Kingston and he is doing a really good job and has helped replace Paul Hartley," said the Lithuanian. "I think he can be as important to us as Paul.

"Laryea is quality. He can defend well, he can pass well and create chances for the strikers like he did in the last game against Rangers.

"This week, I don't think Celtic will relax. They are having a party after the game and we will try to spoil it like we did against Hibs."