It’s great to see Tomoki Iwata doing well, but let’s not pine over his good form at English League One side Birmingham City…
Tomoki has scored six goals for Birmingham
Tomoki Iwata was a decent enough player in his time at Celtic, and perhaps just didn’t get the chance to rack up a run of games to show his true potential. Tomoki made the move to Birmingham City during the summer transfer window and he’s done himself proud by putting in a string of excellent performances for the League One side.
Tomoki has scored six goals and registered one assist in just thirteen games with The Blues as he makes himself a fans favourite down at St Andrew’s.
That is absolutely brilliant news for the Japanese midfielder and I, like all Celtic supporters, am delighted for him.
He’s now playing at League One level
This has now started the predictable pining from some of our supporters who are now questioning whether it was a good decision to let him go. Don’t get me wrong I liked Tomoki as a player and I have to admit I’m surprised that he’s turned into something of a free scoring midfielder down south, but that’s at League One level, and completely different from what he’d be facing currently if he stayed at Celtic.
Brendan made the call – that’s good enough for me
Would he have been in contention for a first team start ahead of Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan? No would be the honest answer.
Yes he would have made a decent squad player, but he wasn’t in Brendan’s plans and he moved on, which is what the supporters who are pining over him should do as well.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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scottish football is division 1 standard
Everyone knows that League One is much the same as the SPL. Take out Celtic and Aberdeen and the rest will be no better than League One. We played Rangers in pre-season and it was a 2-1 hammering.
Kilmarnock, the Dundees, Ross County, Hearts, Hibs, St Johnstone, St Mirren and Motherwell are all just pub teams.
A lot depends on the players around you. Iwata is playing in a side that pushes forward in numbers because they are the best possession based team in England on the current statistics. We are averaging over 70% possession with over 80% possession in a few games. In a less dominant team he wouldn’t get the chance to be on the edge of the box. He has a great shot on him and all 6 of his goals have been rockets from distance. I wouldn’t be so quick to look down at the English League 1 as the standard is very good.
League 1 standard in the EFL is better than the SPL. Celtic granted are above that level but maybe higher Championship level. Iwata is definitely higher Championship Level!
Maybe Celtic didn’t know how to use him. He has been superb since signing for us forming an excellent partnership with Paik. We signed him as an enforcer and he does that brilliantly. The goals have been a bonus.