Celtic target Tomoki Iwata's mentor believes the Yokohama F.Marinos star is the hardest-working player he has ever worked with and his versatility has made him one of Japan's best players.
Hoops manager Ange Postecoglou has targeted another Japanese international with Iwata strongly linked with a move to Glasgow, where he would join up with five of his countrymen - Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi and incoming Yuki Kobayashi. Iwata was playing for lower league club Oita Trinita for six years before he was signed by Postecoglou for Yokohama before the Australian moved to Celtic.
He was managed at Oita Trinita by Tomohiro Katanosaka and the pair won two promotions. And he underlined what Celtic fans can expect if and when they complete the signing of Iwata. He said: "When Tomoki was named as the Most Valuable Player in Japan I actually shouted for joy because I was so happy for him.
"He is a player who takes his football extremely seriously. He is one of the hardest trainers I can ever remember. He has worked incredibly hard to improve and get where he is today.
"He used to stay behind after training because he wanted to get better. I worked with him for five years and It was wonderful to see him improve every season. His attitude was always exemplary too. He even scored an important goal to help us win a promotion when we were in the Japanese third division
"What I like about him is his versatility. I played him as a central defender, right back, central midfielder and as a defensive midfielder. He excelled in them all. I think each time he played in a different position, his overall game improved.
"He has been a great signing for Yokohama. He fitted into the club really well and the awards he won were no more than he deserved.
"For me, I think central defence is his best position and it shows how well he did because the MVP in Japanese football is usually a striker or creative midfielder. He's dedicated to football and will get better and better.
"And there's no doubt he played a big part in helping Yokohama win the title this year."
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