Tomoki Iwata

I think once we have Hatate & McGregor back I’d love to see that midfield 3 again. O’Reilly needs a rest and Bernardo still inconsistent.

 

The fear is both Hatate and McGregor won't make an impact in the rest of the season because of injury.

 

I like him and really want to like him more but dunno..

He has good moments in games and can tell hes a natural at getting about in the 6 and being positionally aware but no enough. I know one man can't do it alone and without Carter-Vickers we're shocking defensively....but we're still too easily bypassed with him in the 6..

 

Same. I've been asking for ages why he's not got a start.

Do think he's helped a bit in midfield to actually combine with the other midfielders, but not as dynamic or involved as I had hoped. More game time will hopefully change that.

 

BR said when be came in and impressed before Christmas he wasn’t available for a lot of games that he’d have wanted him to start, but he wasn’t ever talked about when it was unavailable players or injury updates. But he was out soon after he came in and was talked about as the better option, and when he was on the bench he’d come on only when BR needed a guy to see the game out and he knew he’d do the exact job that was required and see it out. So he trusted him when it was edgy but never a chance outwith that, then when he came in and done well it was injuries stopping chances not talked about.

 

As good as anyone on the park today, kept the ball and was always available in the middle of the park.

 

Some lovely range of passing today over the top..

Had to score that header though..

 

He was great today. Looking forward to seeing him with Mcgregor in there

 

Was brilliant today, unlucky not to get a couple of goals.. one blocked on line and one absolute sitter that we will forgive cos he's Tomoki

 

Real lynchpin today. Great game today except when he went to CB.

 

Not a cb, moving him there when lager is on the bench was stupid

 

Could’ve had a hatrick from DM. Was quality today again. Mind on open goal months ago maybe even last season they were saying someone at Celtic said he was the best out of the Japanese boys.

 

He got PotY over there before we signed him anyway. I’m a big fan of him, but Kyogo and Hatate are clear ahead with the best of debate for the guys signed from Japan. Kyogo being the obvious winner with Hatate in the had the ability to be bracket, but that’s also why I’m not a fan of comparisons between vastly different styles of players.

Tomoki from what we’ve seen of him, and hope to * he stays free of the niggly injuries thats stopped seeing him in a consistent run for us, he’s the midfielder we all kept crying out for for several transfer windows. He’s powerful, he thinks about defence first and foremost, he’s always available for a pass, he’s positive on the ball.

But just because he thinks more defensive minded than any other midfielders we have, he’s not only that, he picks his moments to join in and when he does it’s usually unexpected, untracked, breaking the lines and makes a real effect. And he has the ability to pick out the right pass calmly when he gets it, and he has a good technique shooting, powerful shot, but can pick a calm finish as well. Was * unlucky yesterday, cos that volley well saved and the one off the line showcased that majorly. The one off the line if it went in we’d be shouting about an excellent finish, and * * if the volley went in, we’d be shouting about Japanese Yaya Toure - the Barca DM version

 

I missed the game, just watched the highlights. Good to see an apparently defensive midfielder getting in goal scoring positions like that. He was very unlucky not to score.

I fancy him to contribute a big goal before the end of the season.

 

Yeah defo. He’s been in some great positions, missed a couple of sitters in his time but expected. Scored a cracker v Hearts too.

 

Thought he was excellent 2nd half. Won the ball back a fair bit

 

Thought he was excellent all game. Seemed to contribute more in an attacking sense today with Hatate on the pitch.

 

Must start at Ibrox next week , has to be Tomoki , hatate and oreilly

 

What if McGregor is fit?

Tough decision but a good one to have..