He's already earned a Scotland-inspired nickname at Celtic - and Tomoki Iwata is in prime position to finish the season full steam ahead.
Ange Postecoglou brought his former Yokohama F. Marinos midfielder into Parkhead in January after a stellar season in the J League last year. He headed for the Australian boss' Celtic plans straight off his campaign in the Land of the Rising Sun and there's been a move to manage his minutes, with Reo Hatate suffering 'emotional and physical fatigue' in a similar circumstance upon his arrival from Kawasaki Frontale in January 2022.
With his Scottish nickname to boot, Postecoglou has been delighted with his new signing's progress ahead of this weekend's match with Motherwell, even if he isn't shocked by his immediate impact: "I'm really pleased. He is one of those that I already knew really well as I have managed him before. So I knew what I was getting. Tomoki - or Tommo as the boys are calling him as it's got to be turned Scottish somehow - is a really strong-willed, determined footballer who I always knew would try to be the best he could be.
"Even before I brought him here, I knew he would add to our environment just by the way he goes about things. If you ask the lads they will tell you the same thing.
"He's an unbelievable trainer, does everything right which I knew he would and he is a quality player. He brings something different to our midfield.
"I have probably been a bit cautious with how much game time I have given him because I remember last year overloading the guys who came in off a full Asian season and it can be to their detriment. Easing him means he will finish strong."
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