Great to see Tomoki doing well, but let’s not pine over his good form

The Celtic Star

·27 November 2024

Great to see Tomoki doing well, but let’s not pine over his good form

It’s great to see Tomoki Iwata doing well, but let’s not pine over his good form at English League One side Birmingham City…

Exeter City v Birmingham City, Exeter, UK – 26 Nov 2024 Goal celebrations for Tomoki Iwata of Birmingham City during the Sky Bet League 1 Match between Exeter City and Birmingham City at St James Park, Devon on 26 November 2024. Exeter St James Park Devon. Photo Tom Sandberg/PPA

Tomoki has scored six goals for Birmingham

Tomoki Iwata was a decent enough player in his time at Celtic, and perhaps just didn’t get the chance to rack up a run of games to show his true potential. Tomoki made the move to Birmingham City during the summer transfer window and he’s done himself proud by putting in a string of excellent performances for the League One side.

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Tomoki has scored six goals and registered one assist in just thirteen games with The Blues as he makes himself a fans favourite down at St Andrew’s.

September 16th 2024: Tomoki Iwata 24 Birmingham City celebrates after scoring Birmingham s third goal during the Sky Bet League One football match between Birmingham City and Wrexham at St Andrews in Birmingham, England Natalie Mincher/SPP

That is absolutely brilliant news for the Japanese midfielder and I, like all Celtic supporters, am delighted for him.

He’s now playing at League One level

This has now started the predictable pining from some of our supporters who are now questioning whether it was a good decision to let him go. Don’t get me wrong I liked Tomoki as a player and I have to admit I’m surprised that he’s turned into something of a free scoring midfielder down south, but that’s at League One level, and completely different from what he’d be facing currently if he stayed at Celtic.

Brendan Rodgers speaks with Tomoki Iwata following during the Premiership match against St Johnstone at Celtic Park: Saturday March 16, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

Brendan made the call – that’s good enough for me

Would he have been in contention for a first team start ahead of Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan? No would be the honest answer.

Yes he would have made a decent squad player, but he wasn’t in Brendan’s plans and he moved on, which is what the supporters who are pining over him should do as well.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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