Former Celtic star Tomoki Iwata scored a screamer for Birmingham City on Monday night, with the likes of David Beckham and Tom Brady standing up to applaud the goal.
Iwata left Celtic for St. Andrew’s during the summer, penning a three-year contract.
He struggled to really impose himself in Scottish football, featuring predominantly off the Hoops’ substitute bench after arriving from Ange Postecoglou's old employers, Yokohama F Marinos, in January 2023.
But he’s certainly caught the eye of some big names now he’s down in EFL League One.
Making his long-awaited Blues debut against Hollywood-backed Wrexham, Iwata picked up the ball from outside the box and fired confidently into the bottom corner, leaving goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo helpless.
Birmingham’s squad possess several players familiar with Scottish football fans after Lyndon Dykes, Ben Davies and Scott Wright all also joined the club before the recent transfer window slammed shut.
The result put Iwata's new side level on points with Wrexham at the league summit, having played a game less.
Reacting to the goal from the Japanese internationalist, many punters took to X and waxed lyrical about his contribution.
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One wrote: "Wrexham were no match for #BCFC on a night where their quality told. Stansfield and Iwata shouldn't be anywhere near this league."
Another commented: "Enjoyed that. Ridiculously strong pairing of Paik (World Cup goalscorer) and Iwata (quite a loss to Celtic) anchoring midfield at this level. Wrexham outclassed."
Even opposition fans highlighted Iwata's class, with the RobRyanRed-Wrexham AFC Podcast stating: "Hard to have too many complaints with that. Played off the park. Tomoki Iwata was outstanding. Bounce back next week!"
