Brendan Rodgers, the manager of Celtic, has been gushing about Tomoki Iwata, the midfielder for the Hoops. In recent games, the Japanese international has entered the lineup and provided the greatest solidity in the engine room.
Iwata was included in the starting lineup for Sunday’s match against Motherwell, despite though he hadn’t played since December 13th in the Champions League against Feyenoord. The fact that some of the visiting supporters jeered Rodgers’ choice to remove him midway through the second half is a credit to his performance.
Then, midweek against Dundee, Iwata was selected, and he was just as good. He contributes qualities to the team that no other midfield player in the lineup can, playing at the base of the midfield.
His strikingly simple style allows players like Matt O’Riley and Callum McGregor the flexibility to attack the game. He also plays a defensive style. Recognizing this, gaffer Rodgers recently showered Iwata with praise.
Speaking on Friday before of the trip to Tynecastle this coming weekend, the double-treble-winning boss made some fascinating remarks on the 26-year-old: Iwata, according to The Celtic Way, “ankers that midfield for us, and allows us to move on.”
“I trust Tommy [Iwata] when he comes in, but he needs to be patient. He has been playing pretty well these past few games, is dynamic at winning the ball back, and plays the game simply.
Iwata appears certain to start most games if he stays healthy until the end of the campaign. He is admired by Rodgers, and it is encouraging when a manager expresses “trust” in a player.
