Tomoki Iwata’s recent performances for Celtic have not only solidified his place in the team but also sparked conversations about his role within Brendan Rodgers’ squad after Callum McGregor returns from Injury.
With the team navigating through a challenging period due to injuries, Iwata’s adaptability and consistent form have been a silver lining, providing Celtic with a reliable option in midfield.
The Japan international’s contribution in breaking up play and initiating attacks from deep positions has been critical, especially in light of Callum McGregor’s absence. Iwata’s effectiveness in this role has got fans trying to work out how he can maintain his spot in the team, while Hatate and McGregor return to play alongside Matt O’Riley.
It’s Iwata’s ambition to contribute more directly to the team’s goal tally that could see an expansion of his role at Celtic.
His desire to be involved in goal contributions, either through creating opportunities or scoring himself, suggests a player keen on enhancing his impact on the pitch. This mindset is indicative of the modern midfielder who balances defensive duties with offensive output, adding another dimension to the team’s play.
He said to the Celtic View: “I always think about the part of my game where I’m involved in scoring. It’s one of my strengths to read and stop opposition attacks from defence, but I want to show that I can also get involved in goals on top of that, so I was happy that I could show that in the Livingston game, and I want to continue that every game.
“It’s important to continue to improve my performances, and if I have a chance to play, I want to be the player who can contribute to winning matches.
“I want to be more involved in goal contributions – that is going to be important for me. If I have the opportunity to play in the coming matches, I will focus on the results and on showing how I can improve in each match.
“As a team, I think it is very important for us to focus on one game at a time and win matches together. If we can improve the quality of each performance and improve game by game, I believe we can ultimately end the season the way we want to.”
