Ange Postecoglou’s former Yokohama F Marinos assistant Peter Cklamovski has provided detailed insight into Celtic’s newest recruit Tomoki Iwata.
The 25-year-old became the third new addition to arrive at Paradise in the January transfer window, joining Yuki Kobayashi and Alistair Johnston.
Iwata is a player Postecoglou knows well from his time spent managing in the J-League and is the sixth player to join the Hoops from the league in 18 months.
He already looks to be integrating into the Celtic squad, being reunited with some other familiar faces, including ex-teammate at Yokohama, Daizen Maeda.
The midfielder is set to add another versatile option to Postecoglou’s side, with his ability to also slot into the defensive backline.
One man who has watched Iwata’s progress closely over the last few years is Ange Postecoglou’s former assistant manager at Yokohama F Marinos, Peter Cklamovski.
Although Cklamovski didn’t work alongside the Japanese international, having left Postecoglou’s backroom staff in 2020 to start his own managerial career, the Australian still had a close eye on the midfielder.
Speaking in a recent interview, Cklamovski provided some interesting insight into Celtic’s third signing of the January window as he delivered his verdict on how he thinks Iwata will fair in Glasgow.
He said [The Times]: “Iwata is an excellent signing, and I can’t wait to watch him play with Celtic. His athleticism is elite, he’s at a great physical level, he has very good mobility, and he is technically efficient.
“He will fit into Ange and Celtic’s style of play seamlessly, and he has a winner’s mentality, too — he absolutely won’t be out of place in the Celtic jersey.
“I believe he will be ready to contribute to Celtic’s season immediately, and he will no doubt be hungry to keep developing his game at the same time. One aspect to consider is that he has just finished a short off-season period, so perhaps there will be a short period needed to build his level up ready for matches. That said, he is a physical machine.”
“He has had a good grounding and made good steps in his career. Interestingly, he started off his professional career as a youngster with his youth club Oita Trinita and played three seasons in J3 and J2, compiling around 50 games over those seasons and achieving promotion into J1 during this time, which is a great accolade.
“He then contributed and performed well in J1 for two seasons with another 50-odd games to then be signed by Ange at Marinos in [January] 2021. Two solid seasons with Marinos and obviously most recently winning the league in 2022 reinforces the habit of winning, which is a special attribute.
“I think Celtic fans and Scottish football have gained an appreciation of the level of Japanese football, and Tomoki won’t disappoint in terms of football level, character or personality.
“Keep in mind, Tomoki is a youth international through younger age groups with Japan and has been capped a few times with the senior national team a couple of years ago. He’s had a fantastic season in 2022, winning the title and being named MVP for the competition.
“He will prove to be a very good signing, I have no doubt.”
Iwata set for ‘seamless’ Celtic introduction as supporters gear up for debut.
For any new signing arriving from the other side of the globe, it may take some time to settle into a new club and way of life.
Of course, Iwata will be given that, along with some time to build up his fitness after his last appearance for Yokohama came back in November. So supporters may have to wait a little longer for his debut.
However, thankfully, in Iwata’s case, there are many aspects to life at Celtic Park that he should slot seamlessly right into, as Cklamovski predicts.
He is already well accustomed to playing under Ange Postecoglou’s style of football, and he has prior relationships with some of his new Celtic teammates.
So, hopefully, that can mean we see Iwata pull on the green and white Hoops sooner than expected.
It is certainly exciting to hear the reports coming out of Japan about the player. Ange Postecoglou’s assistant has a lot of good things to say about the midfielder, so hopefully, we see them come to life at Paradise.
In other news, Ex-Celtic captain Paul Lambert lays down challenge for Reo Hatate as he praises impressive rise.
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