Celtic’s Unsung Hero from Fir Park

On a monumental day in the title race, Celtic secured a 3-1 victory over Motherwell, a win that was not just a testament to their resolve but also a significant boost to their title aspirations.

While the match reached its climax with Adam Idah and Luis Palma delivering crucial goals in the dying moments, it was the collective team effort in the second half which provided the vital win. Central to this effort was Tomoki Iwata, whose return to the pitch after a spell of injuries was very encouraging.

Iwata, 26, reasserted his value to the team and reminded fans he’s still here during the victory. His contributions might not have been the flashiest, but they were undeniably fundamental to Celtic’s control over the game in the second half. The Japanese midfielder, known for his outstanding tenure in the J-League, displayed an exemplary blend of precision and resilient defending that underscored his integral role in the team’s performance.

Demonstrating a passing accuracy of 93%, Iwata completed 51 out of 55 passes, a statistic that speaks volumes about his composure and control on the field. This level of precision not only facilitated a fluid gameplay for Celtic but also kept Motherwell under constant pressure, allowing Celtic to dictate the pace when they were 1-0 down.

On the attacking front, Iwata proved to be influential, with his vision and passing ensuring the ball consistently found its way into positive areas. His defensive contributions were equally impressive, the midfielder breaking up play, getting stuck in and recovering the ball on nine occasions.

The discipline and intelligence Iwata brought to the game were unmistakable. His tactical awareness, combined with a knack for maintaining possession under duress was good to see. If this is him just back from injury without a run in the team or completely match-sharp, I’d like to see him grow in this team.

This victory, marked by late goals from Idah and Palma, has not only secured crucial points for Celtic but has also breathed new life into their title challenge, bringing them within two points of the league leaders.

It will be interesting to see how Brendan Rodgers lines up on Wednesday against Dundee and if the Japanese midfielder keeps his place.