Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been waxing lyrical about Hoops midfielder Tomoki Iwata. The Japanese internationalist has come into the team in recent games and brought utmost stability in the engine room.
Despite not playing since the 13th of December against Feyenoord in the Champions League, Iwata was thrown into the starting eleven against Motherwell last Sunday. It is a testament to his performance that some of the travelling fans booed Rodgers’ decision to withdraw him in the second half.
Iwata then got the nod midweek versus Dundee and was equally as impressive. He plays at the base of the midfield and brings to the team attributes that no other midfielder in the squad can.
The simplicity of his style is striking and his defensive style provides the likes of Matt O’Riley and Callum McGregor with the freedom required to attack the game. Gaffer Rodgers recognises this and was recently full of praise for Iwata.
Speaking on Friday ahead of this weekend’s trip to Tynecastle, the double-treble-winning manager hit out with some intriguing comments regarding the 26-year-old: “He [Iwata] anchors that midfield for us, and allows us to move on”, he said (The Celtic Way).
“Tommo [Iwata] has had to be patient but I trust him when he comes in. He plays the game simple, is dynamic at winning the ball back and he’s performed really well in these last few games.”
Should he remain fit between now and the end of the season, Iwata seems a stick-on to start most games. Rodgers admires him and when a manager speaks about ‘trust’ in a player, it only bodes well.
