Tomoki Iwata

He's absolutely superb. Protects the ball and what I like about him is he has the ability to play the more penetrative ball forward , and the bravery to do it. Very very good technically. Reason he was J league POTS . Ange left us with some good players , think Haksa could have a big future here when it clicks for him as well.

 

No offence but people are going way overboard labeling him as a "class act" and "absolutely superb". What is this based on?

He's been bang average. A few positive performances and a few * ones. Definitely hasn't done anything to warrant some of the superlatives thrown his way.

 

He does his job well. But his distribution is pish. Constantly over hit.
That Dan be worked on. He's the type of player we need in Europe though. Iwata holding deep with calmac and hatate ahead of him.
Hes still adjusting to Scotland after playing a full season and not had much game time.

I like his work rate and steel. Just needs to work on passing

 

Iwata was promoted from Oita Trinita's training organization to the top team and was also selected to represent Japan. At Yokohama F. Marinos, where he transferred, he contributed to the victory by being selected as the 2022 J1 Most Valuable Player Award (MVP), and in December 2022, he transferred to Celtic with a purchase option until June 9, 2023. was announced


Participated in 18 official games, including the Scottish Premiership, while joining in the middle, contributing to the triple crown, including the league match.



After returning to Japan on the 17th, he visited the home game of his old home Oita, the Meiji Yasuda Life J2 League Round 21 Fagiano Okayama match. He greeted the supporters before the game.

“Hello everyone, I’m Tomoki Iwata . I’m very happy to be able to come to this dome after a long time today, and I’m happy to be able to cheer for everyone together.

Iwata, who showed off his energy, received a big round of applause and chants from the supporters . The triumphant return of Oita's star!"




https://web.ultra-soccer.jp/news/view?news_no=444678&div=0

 

What's going on with him? That article above says we had a purchase option until June 9th rather than an obligation to buy?

And obviously with nothing being announced that date has come and gone which would hint at us not taking up the option?

 

Celtic website says it's compulsory:
'Tomoki Iwata signed for Celtic from Yokohama F Marinos in December 2022. He joined Celtic initially on loan but with a compulsory purchase clause included, meaning he will be with Celtic on a permanent basis from the summer of 2023, on a long-term deal.'

https://www.celticfc.com/players/tomoki-iwata

 

Seen the same with Hatate though last season, off the back of a full season in Japan and then running on fumes last few months of our season.

All his qualities are there, a good break and preseason he’ll be right at it.

 

Different types of players though, Iwata came on in the semi against the huns and took control of the midfield straight away, was mostly off the bench we saw him make some impressive performances but still showed how good he is physically as well as moving the ball.

I think another part of his game that went unnoticed was his runs, when we’d rotate he’d always make great runs into space in midfield.

Hatate is a special talent so he’ll always be up against that comparison but he looks a really good player.

 

Totally agree on this although they are two complete different types of player and they also came in to very different circumstances.

Hatate is more attacking and given how short we were in Centre midfield was thrown in. Scoring big goals at the start of his tenure showed what he could do and he looked totally out on his feet.

Iwata came in to a strong midfield with Hatate flying, Mooy flying and O’Riley struggling to even get a game. Also given the World Cup break being when it was and the time Iwata actually arrived we didn’t have many weeks with more than a game a week so there wasn’t as many opportunities to get in the team.

Iwata isn’t a goal scorer so hasn’t had the opportunity to do that and has been quietly effective in seeing out games vs them, cup final and 3-2 league game come to mind. I think there is definitely more to come from Iwata and depending on what system Rodgers plays where Iwata fits.

It’s worth noting that he may have looked uncomfortable as a CB in a two but has a lot of experience as the right side of a back three and has even played as a right wing back in the past.

Even at worst, I could see him being a capable versatile utility player even if he doesn’t become a first team regular and he cost about £800k, so low risk from a financial point of view.

 

To fair to him, he wasn't given a consistent run or position to play in. I saw a bit of him in the DMF role that I liked. He's not a CB. So hopefully BR can utilise him better in whatever system shape he plays.

 

Saw yesterday that the BBC had him as having left after his loan spell ended. That coupled with the Japanese article the other week suggests it wasn't an obligation to buy after all?

Guess we'll find out either way by Monday at the latest.

 

Possibly he had the option to say no if he didn't settle. If he didn't settle well then best for all parties if he didn't sign.

 

Either that or BR not being that keen would be my guess as well.

 

It's his position were gonna spend big on so he'll be further behind the pecking order.

 

Hopefully a good pre-season and he’ll be flying.

He was really underwhelming last season. Couple of good performances but largely average.

 

He was brought in to help with shoring up the midfield in harder games. That is yet to come. So far, we know he's quick and technically Apt.