The arrival of Tomoki Iwata makes it six Japanese players to follow Ange Postecoglou to Celtic.
Key trio Daizen Maeda, Kyogo and Reo Hatate have been smash hits and Yuki Kobayashi is hoping to follow suit. Yosuke Ideguchi has found himself a bit-part man who has never bounced since his crunching injury suffered against Alloa. And now Iwata is aiming to make waves as the J-League MVP arrives turbo-charged with belief after guiding Marinos to title glory. And he has a clear idea of what role he would like to fill at Celtic.
Speaking after sealing his move, he said: “My focus will be on how I can express the football of the manager on the pitch. I feel grateful, thanks to him (Postecoglou) for picking me and playing me as a No.6 so I managed to find a new version of myself and another possibility for myself.
“I feel very grateful for him. I would like to play as a No.6 but the most important thing is the victory of the team, so that is independent from which position I play.” Coming to a new country, with a different culture and another style, can be daunting."
Record Sport runs the rule over his key skills and why he appears ready for an instant role in the heart of the midfield.
What Iwata brings to Celtic
A little bit of everything seems a cliche, however, Iwata truly is a player who thrives due to multiple assets. We watched the full match in his final competitive game in Marinos during the 3-1 win over Kobe. The league was won and likely Iwata had his next move in his mind, however any notion of not being fully committed is an alien concept to player who gives everything from first second to last.
He made 18 challenges – his second best total across the whole J-League season – and made 11 ball recoveries. His passing completion percentage was down at 80 per cent, among his lowest on the year, but Iwata appeared to be bolder as he attempted several ambitious long balls in a bid to free his rampaging full-backs.
Kilmarnock Derek McInnes noted Celtic don't let you breathe and Iwata appears another player who will leave the opposition gasping for air. Maeda's superior pressing made a pronounced difference and expect an extra edge once the new man is up and running in green and white. Celtic's interest in Iwata is long-standing but any scout in attendance during the clash with Kobe would likely be extolling the virtues over Marinos' star turn.
And don't rule out the odd goal or two. The one against Tokyo (above) sees him find the freedom of the box before poking home from close range. Free-scoring isn't his way but he can strike when in the right position.
Iwata vs McGregor
Now, let's get one thing abundantly clear. Celtic skipper Callum McGregor's role as the first name in the team sheet is under zero threat but that's not the question we are asking. Is Iwata capable of allowing the club's beating heart to push from a 6 into an 8? The evidence seems to suggest yes and it could become a reality in the second half of this season and in European competition in the coming years.
The 25-year-old's versatility is apparent, as noted earlier, and while he is adept playing in defence he's at his best thriving as the pivot of a midfield - which is based on squeezing the opposition across the pitch and often demands the most defensive midfielder to firefight across the pitch. Let's not forget he was signed by Postecoglou for Marinos and successor Kevin Muscat has made no bones his title success was based on Angeball. A new country, of course, but few players are in a better position to succeed than Iwata with the Premiership champions. To potentially replace the incumbent as the deepest man Iwata must be able to replicate the output of McGregor. And in many key categories he does that with aplomb. The Japan international doesn't dribble as much as McGregor (0.58 to 1.48 per game) nor does he make as many key passes (0.47 to 071 as the Parkhead leader. Iwata has played in 19 games this season with McGregor featuring in 21 matches. The image (below) shows a player winning to press all over the pitch and he even won a free-kick straight after his overmatched opponent could only grab after being dispossessed.
It would be key to note both Marinos and Celtic commit to an attacking gameplan but the Premiership champions dominate at a greater level in terms of possession and territorial advantage which puts Iwata in a prime position to sniff danger. Celtic punters will be right to note forgotten man Oliver Abildgaard boasted similar gaudy numbers but Iwata's understanding of the Postecoglou way means the numbers only enhance what is clear to see when watching the player in action. The table below offers a compelling case Iwata will bring a similar output to McGregor with other skills which, perhaps, offer extra solidity at the base of the midfield.
| Key stats | Iwata | McGregor |
| Ball recoveries (per game) | 8 | 4.3 |
| Challenges (per game) | 11 | 8 |
| Aerial challenges (per game) | 3.2 | 1.19 |
| Tackles (per game) | 2.7 | 1.91 |
| Interceptions (per game) | 6 | 4.8 |
What comes next?
Iwata is ready to make an impact from the get go but, perhaps, his most important moments will come on the European stage. Iwata appears the identikit modern defensive midfielder and for all Celtic's plaudits in the Champions League their highwire style remains a risk duelling with the most talent-rich clubs in the world.
Iwata wouldn't claim to be the answer himself but his ability, determination and grit appears the perfect fit for Postecoglou's team on the grandest stage.
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