Brendan Rodgers stamped his authority on the Celtic team this summer after returning to the club 12 months ago.
Celtic won the Scottish Premiership title upon his return, but you sensed some work still needed to be done to the squad and changes needed to be made to mould his way of thinking.
In some cases, fans were gutted to see Matt O’Riley leave Celtic and join Brighton, but a transfer like that was expected given his strong form.
But there were other players, such as Tomoki Iwata, still trying to make their mark and hoping to break into Rodgers’ first team.
The Bhoys signed the defensive midfielder during the January transfer window of 2023, but he couldn’t break into a very strong midfield.
That’s why Celtic were happy for Iwata to depart this summer and secure a transfer to League One side Birmingham City.
Going from playing for a club that’s winning trophies in their sleep and competing in the Champions League to a side just relegated to England’s third tier was a huge surprise.
But now it seems to be paying off!
Tomoki Iwata deemed too good for Birmingham City after Celtic exit
It shouldn’t be a surprise, but Iwata is too good for the level he is playing at, according to ex-footballer and pundit Mark Hone.
Birmingham beat Lincoln City 3-1 over the weekend, with Iwata starting in the middle of the park, and helping his side open up a two-point lead at the top of the League One table – they have played a game less.
But for Hone, who is a former Lincoln player, to be watching the Japanese star playing so low down the football pyramid is a shock.
“Throughly enjoyed @LincolnCity_FC v @BCFC game today,” wrote Hone. “Proper game, physical and technically really good. Football is sometimes about small margins.
“But @BCFC are possibly the best EFL1 side I have seen. Tomoki Iwata… what is he doing in League One. He is class.”
Iwata impresses NFL legend Tom Brady
One of the reasons why Iwata possibly made the move to a League One side is that it’s financially rewarding because of the club he is playing for.
Birmingham have NFL legend Tom Brady in their boardroom and, as you can imagine, his presence is attracting a lot of eyes on the Midlands-based club.
Another team in English football with that ‘A-lister’ makeover is Wrexham, co-owned by Hollywood stars, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
When Birmingham beat Wrexham in September, all the stars were on show, including ex-England captain David Beckham.
Birmingham’s new star Iwata impressed Brady by scoring a brilliant goal during his side’s comprehensive win as his form continues to go from strength to strength.
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