Celtic’s first-half performance in their 4-1 win against Kilmarnock was all the more impressive when you take into account the changes in personnel that was made by Ange Postecoglou coming into the match.
Out went, arguably, two of our best players this season in Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers and in came Tomoki Iwata, Yuki Kobayashi and Sead Haksabanovic.
It was the performance of Iwata that Ange Postecoglou was waxing lyrical about as the Japanese midfielder made only his second first-team start this season since joining the club in January.
Speaking post-match to Celtic TV, when asked what can the fans expect of Iwata moving forward, Ange said, “I think more of what you saw today. He’s just a really good footballer. He’s really well-balanced. He keeps the ball well, he runs hard.
“He’s very mobile as a midfielder, he’s not just your holding midfielder.
“Him and Yuki coming in today it was important to give them some game time.
“We know this isn’t an easy place to play with the pitch and the opposition. I thought both of them handled themselves well.”
Iwata could be huge for Celtic next season
Although his minutes have been limited to substitute appearances, Iwata has impressed the Celtic fans.
All the qualities that Ange highlighted have been on show whenever he pulls on a Celtic jersey and it was good to see him get another ninety minutes under his belt.
Ange’s handling of the former J League MVP has been excellent.
Clearly, lessons have been learned from Reo Hatate last season where the midfielder himself admitted that he was suffering from fatigue towards the end of the season.
But, in fairness to Ange, playing Hatate so often was down to necessity as the squad was nowhere near as flush with talent at that point as it is at this moment.
Breaking Iwata gently into the side after completing a full season in Japan will mean that the 26-year-old will be fresh and ready to go for next season’s campaign.
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