Celtic have been lauded from all quarters for their transfer business in the summer.
As well as Celtic adding record signing Arne Engels, Adam Idah and Auston Trusty to strengthen the first-team, Brendan Rodgers also managed to offload players who he felt were not going to play a part for Celtic this season.
Out went players like Celtic striker Hyeongyu Oh to Genk, Sead Haksabanovic, Luke Shaw, Mikey Johnston, Yuki Kobayashi and Benjamin Siegrist who all found a permanent Hoops exit.
And getting a temporary move, Gustaf Lagerbielke and Hyoekkyu Kwon both looked to get the first-team football they simply were not getting at Celtic Park
Whilst not many fans argued with any of those players leaving, Celtic selling Tomoki Iwata to Birmingham City was one that some fans believed may have been a mistake.
And after Iwata scored his sixth goal of the season since his Celtic exit, the Birmingham fans were head over heels for the Japanese midfielder.
Tomoki Iwata continues to impress at Birmingham City after Celtic exit
The League One club were on a three-game run without a win before they faced Exeter City last night at St James’ Park and in the 11th minute, Iwata did this.
The Blues went on to win the game 2-0 and lift them to 3rd place in the League One table as they bid for automatic promotion to the Championship.
It was a goal that was reminiscent of Iwata’s strike against Bolton back in October in another win and it seems that Iwata is the apple of the Birmingham City fan’s eyes right now.
Birmingham City supporters overjoyed by ex-Celtic star Tomoki Iwata
Taking to social media, the Birmingham supporters showed their appreciation for Iwata who has become a firm fan favourite since his summer move from Celtic.
Another fan said, “Tomoki Iwata – BANGERS ONLY!! 😂😂😂😂 what a boy!” whilst another Birmingham supporter commented, “Goal of the season contenders at the end of the season is just going to be a Tomoki Iwata goals compilation isn’t it 🤣.”
Another Blues fan joked, “We all know on deadline day this went under the radar a bit, but now at 49 years of age I want to have more children just so I can call them all Tomoki Iwata.” and another said, “Tomoki Iwata really needs to sort a decent goal celebration out at this rate 😅.”
Whilst some Celtic fans might now lament the loss of Iwata, one had a bit of perspective, “If Tomoki Iwata was still at Celtic, he wouldn’t be getting played.
“He’d be 6th in line, we wouldn’t be talking about him because he wouldn’t be playing, or scoring, so he had to move, to get the recognition he deserves. He’s doing well at Birmingham because he plays.”
If Iwata couldn’t cement a place in the Celtic team before Rodgers added Luke McCowan, Paulo Bernardo and Arne Engels, the chances are that he would still be kicking his heels on the bench.
It’s great to see the Japanese midfielder doing well at his new club and, hopefully, he will be strutting his stuff in the English Premier League soon enough.
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