GLASGOW (AFP) - Celtic's Japanese international Shunsuke Nakamura believes his first Old Firm goal could also go down as one of his best.

Nakamura was on target in the midweek 2-1 victory over Rangers as Celtic kept alive their lingering hopes of hanging onto their Scottish Premier League title.

His long-range, first-half effort swerved, dipped and deceived Rangers keeper Allan McGregor in a typically intense local derby.

"Was that my best ever goal? Maybe. It was certainly my best this season," the Japanese player told the Daily Record newspaper.

"I have been trying to score a lot more from distance, not just free-kicks, so I was really happy to see it go in. It was a fantastic feeling.

"I noticed early on that the ball was moving about in the air a lot. So I decided that I would have a shot from distance the first opportunity I got.

"As soon as I hit the ball, I thought it had a chance.

"I hit my shot in a way which would give the ball a lot of movement. These are always difficult for the goalkeeper to save."