Tomoki Iwata

Aye. Loving the extra physicality that’s come into the club in recent times: him and Johnston, and obviously Oh with GG before him. Wasn’t an area of the game that I’d have assumed Ange would’ve been so quick to attend to. Delighted to have that extra bit of dig.

 

Put some respect on Aaron Mooy!

 

A fully fit Mooy is one of our best players, just think for the bigger games when we need legs in there Iwata will be the man. Great headache to have for Ange though.

 

Just another absolute gem signed by Ange, getting into the TOTW. All normal

 

Ange really talking him up in the presser...

Think he's going to be important for us, short term for the semi and in the longer term too..

 

He's already earned a Scotland-inspired nickname at Celtic - and Tomoki Iwata is in prime position to finish the season full steam ahead.

Ange Postecoglou brought his former Yokohama F. Marinos midfielder into Parkhead in January after a stellar season in the J League last year. He headed for the Australian boss' Celtic plans straight off his campaign in the Land of the Rising Sun and there's been a move to manage his minutes, with Reo Hatatesuffering 'emotional and physical fatigue' in a similar circumstance upon his arrival from Kawasaki Frontale in January 2022.




With his Scottish nickname to boot, Postecoglou has been delighted with his new signing's progress ahead of this weekend's match with Motherwell, even if he isn't shocked by his immediate impact: "I'm really pleased. He is one of those that I already knew really well as I have managed him before. So I knew what I was getting. Tomoki - or Tommo as the boys are calling him as it's got to be turned Scottish somehow - is a really strong-willed, determined footballer who I always knew would try to be the best he could be.


Even before I brought him here, I knew he would add to our environment just by the way he goes about things. If you ask the lads they will tell you the same thing


"He's an unbelievable trainer, does everything right which I knew he would and he is a quality player. He brings something different to our midfield.

"I have probably been a bit cautious with how much game time I have given him because I remember last year overloading the guys who came in off a full Asian season and it can be to their detriment. Easing him means he will finish strong."


He's an unbelievable trainer, does everything right which I knew he would and he is a quality player. He brings something different to our midfield.

"I have probably been a bit cautious with how much game time I have given him because I remember last year overloading the guys who came in off a full Asian season and it can be to their detriment. Easing him means he will finish strong."

 

Been trying to figure out what sort of player he is for weeks and Ange's story of him going from "a sort of wing back, to a centre back who attacks to a sort of but not really defensive midfielder" just makes it even more mysterious . Very excited to watch him develop here though.

 

Watching some of the longer highlights packages of him he can do a bit of everything. He can tackle and break up play, also reads the game well and covers space well as he is mobile. In possession or when Celtic are he can run beyond and play cut backs or square balls (probably the wing back in him but also handy as a box to box CM), he has a nice passing range too.

For us I think he could comfortably play as a CB if we went to a 3 at the back, a right full back if needed, in the role McGregor plays or as a double pivot and as one of the two box to box midfielders we play especially if the other one is more creative.

I know YouTube videos aren’t perfect but this one gives a good view of his range of skills.

 

Obviously going to start tomorrow and probably against the huns.

The right choice tbh.

 

The boys class. Ange basically confirming he's a beast in training as well and adding fuel to the comments about him being our standout Japanese player..

 

One of the few positives today.

 

He was excellent today, should have stayed on.

 

Shouldn't have been taken off.

 

Has a vital role to play next week. Already very very important player for us.

 

Mental sub..

 

Aye that was a baffling sub, keep him on and push McGregor up along with Mooy or Kyogo.

 

Man of the match for me as well.