JAPANESE genius Shunsuke Nakamura today made a prediction that is sure to send shivers down the spines of Celtic's rivals at home and in Europe ...

He believes that Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Thomas Gravesen will get even better for the Hoops in the weeks and months ahead.

And the playmaker also thinks Gordon Strachan's side - already 17 points clear in the SPL - are poised to step up a gear.

Dutch striker Vennegoor showed he has shaken off the injury problems that have blighted his time in Scotland against St Mirren on Saturday.

He netted his first hat-trick for Celtic in an immense all-round display against the shell-shocked Saints at Parkhead.

Those goals took the lanky hitman, out of action for nine games with a hamstring problem, into double figures for the campaign.

And Naka feels there will be more to come from the Holland international as their embryonic partnership continues to develop.

He said: "I wasn't surprised at all at Jan's hat-trick. In fact, I was surprised it had taken him so long to score one.

"It is good for Jan that he scored three goals against St Mirren as his confidence will grow now. That is an important thing for a striker.

"He is very strong in the air and has good feet, as well. He used to be a lone striker at PSV Eindhoven, so I think he'll score even more goals at Celtic by playing in a partnership.

"Jan has got a great personality in training, as well as being a good player. He is a very valuable player for Celtic on and off the field."

He continued: "However, it is important we continue to work on our partnership in training sessions and matches. I think we can improve our understanding.

"At the moment, I'm still unsure sometimes what ball he wants me to give him at times. I want to play more balls through to him that he likes in the future."

Despite an accomplished performance in tandem with Gravesen in the centre of midfield against St Mirren, this perfectionist is also keen to hone that relationship.

Nakamura said: "Thomas has played at a very high level with Real Madrid and is clearly a very good, strong player for Celtic.

"He is good defensively, but he also likes attacking. When he is attacking and I am, too, then sometimes that can be too many people.

"We need to work on striking the right balance in matches. Sometimes I need to come back a bit and sometimes he needs to come back a bit."

Naka was delighted to see Kenny Miller come on against the Buddies and end a goalscoring drought that stretched way back to the end of October.

He said: "Getting a goal on Saturday was a big thing for Kenny. I was very pleased for him.

"I don't think he was playing badly at all. He runs a lot and always contributes to the team. But he just hasn't been getting a goal.

"I'm sure he'll feel much, much better now, though."

Naka, rapidly emerging as a serious contender for the Player of the Year awards, is also optimistic about Celtic's prospects in general.

He said: "We have had our two first choice centre-halves out injured and we haven't lost a game at all. That is a good sign, a very positive thing.

"Now Jan has come back from injury, as has Craig Beattie. I think, as we get players back from injury, the team will keep improving."