Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker stunned by player Celtic sold under Brendan Rodgers

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Celtic’s recruitment has always been an interesting topic over the years.

For well over a decade now, Celtic have dominated domestically, as no-one seems to be getting anywhere near the champions.

Whether it’s the early spell of Neil Lennon or when Brendan Rodgers returned for a second spell, it’s trophy after trophy that has been produced.

Yet, it wasn’t so long ago that Celtic fans were chanting ‘sack the board’ after a home defeat to Hearts at the start of last season.

The powers that be at Parkhead don’t usually bring in ready-made players, but those hidden gems that would go on to thrive down the line.

From Matt O’Riley to the now thriving Nicolas Kuhn, they are prime examples of Celtic’s very patient methods working.

But one, who was just on the club’s books as recently as the summer, is now finding his feet in English football and even impressing against Premier League opposition.

READ MORE: Celtic fans say the same thing about Tomoki Iwata after outrageous FA Cup goal for Birmingham City

Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer wowed by Tomoki Iwata’s FA Cup goal for Birmingham City

With Callum McGregor the main guy in that number six role, no-one in the team is going to dethrone the Celtic skipper from his role.

That’s one of the reasons why Tomoki Iwata was sold by Celtic in the summer and he joined Birmingham City in England’s third-tier.

Birmingham faced Premier League opposition in Newcastle United in the FA Cup over the weekend and Iwata netted a goal that blew the house down.

Alan Shearer has scored many great goals during his playing days and even he was wowed by the half-volley from Iwata.

Gary Lineker agreed with his fellow pundit and told Match of the Day that his rasping shot was ‘so pure’.

“We have seen one of the goals of the (FA Cup|) round and what an unbelievable strike it was,” said Shearer. “He hit it so sweet.

“Oh my word, what a strike. The way he hits it. The technique is incredible. Oh my goodness. What an incredible strike. On the half volley.”

Shay Given added: “Oh my goodness, I think if Clark Kent is in goal he isn’t saving that. That’s an unbelievable goal.”

Lineker also stated: “Iwata shot. It’s so pure. A worldie of a goal. That was some strike from Iwata. Oooh, wow. It really was. It was some hit.”

Iwata’s stats for Birmingham City

Iwata wasn’t exactly shining bright in Celtic colours when provided with a chance, but then he might point towards a lack of consistent starts.

But when you play at such a high level and a pressure environment, you have to take your chance and he didn’t before Rodgers allowed him to move on.

Now that Iwata is playing in a less pressured situation and a smaller club, he is thriving and even scoring goals for fun.

Competition		Apps	Goals	Assists	Minutes
	League One	22	5	1	1.881′
	EFL Trophy	3	1	–	168′
	FA Cup	2	1	–	174′
Total 24/25:		27	7	1	2.223′

Some will argue that Celtic should have loaned him out, and perhaps, from a financial perspective, that would have been the wise call because his value is going up, especially in the inflated English environment.

But it’s easy now seeing all of this in hindsight.