Celtic have been forced to use their squad over the last few weeks amid a spate of injuries to key individuals.
Club captain Callum McGregor and United States international Cameron Carter-Vickers have both missed some recent action, with the latter returning last weekend; meanwhile, Reo Hatate is a long-term Parkhead absentee.
Despite having a plethora of midfield options, Brendan Rodgers has barely been able to rely on continuity in the engine room, leading to a season-long battle for the third midfield berth when everyone is fit.
In light of Hatate’s injury, McGregor and Matt O’Riley have usually occupied two of the vacant slots, with one of Paulo Bernardo, Tomoki Iwata, Odin Thiago Holm or Daniel Kelly taking up the available space.
Japanese midfielder Iwata has enjoyed a recent revival for the Bhoys in the wake of an injury-ridden first half of the campaign and has started our last five matches in all competitions [Transfermarkt].
Slowly, he has started to establish himself as a Celtic starter, putting in a series of controlled displays in the six position that have helped to offer his side a foothold in matches, especially at home.
Last weekend against St Johnstone, the former Yokohama F. Marinos man helped to pull the strings, turning in an excellent display that earned him a Sofascore match rating of 7.7/10.
Performing to an efficient standard, Iwata completed 111 of his 117 attempted passes (95%) alongside 15 of them entering the final third.
Brendan Rodgers makes exciting Tomoki Iwata Celtic claim
Fans will be delighted to see Iwata thriving in the Bhoys’ midfield, which has helped to quell worries regarding McGregor’s absence at a crucial time in the season.
Rodgers has clearly been impressed by his exploits and hasn’t ruled out the prospect of Iwata enjoying an extended run in the team, even when his captain does make his way back into the starting line-up.
Per the Daily Record, Rodgers stated on Iwata’s emergence: “With any player, it’s about getting a run in the team. He’s come in and done well in games when we have either moved Callum up or he hasn’t been available.
“That’s what he has been, a cover player for the squad. He’s done a really good job when he has come in. I’ve been really pleased with Tomo.
He later added on the prospect of Iwata enjoying more minutes in the latter stages of the season: “There’s that opportunity there for every player. I can’t play both him and Callum as controllers. Well, I could do, if I switched the system. But he is definitely an important member of the squad.
“Not everyone can be a starter all the time. There are a number of players who do that. But in terms of the impact he has made, I’ve been really pleased because he has struggled with bits of injury on and off this season. He would have played more games if he had been fit.
“There were periods when he was going to play in some of the Champions League games but he wasn’t quite ready. I’m just pleased he’s done well when he’s come in.”
Tomoki Iwata can continue to be an important player for Celtic
At a club like Celtic, it is impossible to win silverware with just a small core of players, meaning individuals who possess versatile qualities, such as Iwata, become majorly important to Rodgers’ ability to rotate the squad.
The 26-year-old can perform in the six or higher up as an eight; meanwhile, we have already seen Iwata step back into central defence when required, including in our treble-clinching Scottish Cup final against Inverness Caledonian Thistle last term.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see more of the Usa-born man before this campaign draws to a close as he continues to go about his business in a quietly effective fashion.
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